# Compass vs Compass Direction

The clearest difference is rating: Compass Direction at 4.6 against Compass's 3.3. Compass Direction also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 8 months) and review sentiment (34% vs 22%). Compass's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Compass Direction sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.

Compass Direction holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.2K and 2.7K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Compass's written reviews are positive against 34% of Compass Direction's.

Compass ships an update every 8 months, Compass Direction every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Compass | Compass Direction |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (2.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass/id1067456176/reviews) | **[4.6 (2.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-direction-digital/id1620523385/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2.2K | **2.7K** |
| Positive reviews | 22.1% of reviews | **34.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 20 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) | [Rihab Mehboob](https://appshunter.io/developer/1441916319) |

## What reviewers say

### Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass/id1067456176)

This app displays your current latitude, longitude, and elevation. It also allows you to lock your current heading and provides a visual indicator to help you stay on course.

**Highlights:** Displays latitude and longitude, Shows current elevation, Lock current heading, On-course indicator

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Simple and effective
- 🗺️ Provides location and elevation data
- 💯 Saved a life in an emergency
- 🤖 Helpful for kids and the directionally challenged

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🧭 Inaccurate compass readings
- 🔁 Inconsistent and unreliable direction
- 🔒 Locked on north direction
- 🚫 Completely non-functional

**Reported bugs**

- Compass frozen or stuck on one direction
- Compass showing opposite direction
- Elevation and location data not working
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Ability to switch between magnetic and true north
- Integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch
- Option to display coordinates in decimal degrees
- Customizable compass face with cardinal directions


### Compass Direction

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-direction-digital/id1620523385)

This app provides accurate compass headings and directions with a real-time GPS map. Easily switch between map and camera views, and access features like altitude, speed, and a torch. Enjoy a beautiful and intuitive interface with haptic feedback and accessibility support.

**Highlights:** Accurate compass headings and directions, Real-time GPS map with zoom, Altitude, latitude, and longitude display, Speedometer, Integrated torch, Switch between map and camera view

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compass 1 Week | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Compass 1 Week | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Compass 1 Month | $5.99 | per month |
| Compass 1 Month | $9.99 | per month |
| Compass 1 Year | $24.99 | per year |
| Compass 6 Months | $29.99 | per 6 months |
| Compass 1 Year | $39.99 | per year |
| Compass Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |
| Compass Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great app
- 🚀 Accurate and easy to use
- 💡 Useful for specific use cases
- 👍 Visually appealing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate compass direction
- 🔒 Requires subscription to use
- 🔒 No free trial
- 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
- 🔒 Forces users to subscribe

**Reported bugs**

- Compass always showing wrong directions
- App freezes or becomes non-functional
- Restore purchase feature not working
- App crashing or not loading properly

**Requested features**

- Ability to calibrate the compass
- Option to purchase a one-time fee instead of subscription
- Offline map support
- Ability to set waypoints and get directions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Compass free?

Compass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Compass Direction free?

Compass Direction is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Compass or Compass Direction?

Compass Direction is rated higher. Compass averages 3.3 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while Compass Direction averages 4.6 from 2.7K ratings.

### Do Compass or Compass Direction have ads?

Compass Direction shows ads; Compass does not.

### Which is updated more often, Compass or Compass Direction?

Compass ships an update every 8 months, and Compass Direction every 3 days. Most recently, Compass was updated on September 22, 2026 and Compass Direction on September 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*