# Explore Bangkok vs Issa Compass

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Issa Compass at none against Explore Bangkok's 1. Issa Compass also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). Explore Bangkok's advantage is ratings volume (399 vs 32). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Explore Bangkok sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Issa Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.

Issa Compass holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Explore Bangkok has 399 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Explore Bangkok's written reviews are positive against 98% of Issa Compass's.

Explore Bangkok ships an update every 3 months, Issa Compass weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Explore Bangkok | Issa Compass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (399 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-bangkok/id1076159526/reviews) | **[4.9 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/issa-compass/id6544788009/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **399** | 32 |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | **97.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 32 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ExploreMetro](https://appshunter.io/developer/340706618) | [Issa Compass](https://appshunter.io/developer/1770429329) |

## What reviewers say

### Explore Bangkok

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-bangkok/id1076159526)

Navigate Bangkok's public transit with this comprehensive offline subway map. Features include a route planner, GPS integration, and street maps for every station. Get up-to-date information on BTS and MRT lines, with English and Thai language support.

**Highlights:** Up-to-date BTS and MRT metro lines, Offline functionality, Route planner, GPS integration, Street maps for every station, English and Thai languages

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP mode | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to follow
- 🚀 Immediate gratification, deleted other apps
- 👍 Indispensable for daily use
- 👍 Very helpful (free version)
- 👍 Accurate information and distance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Missing stations on map (Samrong onward)
- 🐛 Lacks some minor visuals (icon, route marking)
- 🐛 Utterly pointless, does nothing

**Reported bugs**

- BTS sky train map missing stations
- Route marking not noticeable

**Requested features**

- Add a ticketing service within the app for contactless access
- Upgrade to include more detail on cost and Metro apps for other Southeast Asia cities


### Issa Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/issa-compass/id6544788009)

Simplify your visa application process for living and working in Thailand. This app guides you through Non-B, DTV, LTR, and SMART visas, backed by an experienced legal team. Upload documents and track your progress to focus on your new life.

**Highlights:** Visa application guidance, Document management, Progress tracking, Non-B visa support, DTV visa support, LTR visa support, SMART visa support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🚀 Efficient visa process
- 💡 Simplifies visa applications
- ✅ Makes visa process easier
- ✨ Streamlined and straightforward

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App launched too soon
- 🐛 Many bugs
- 🎨 Lazy after-thought on design

**Reported bugs**

- Many bugs
- Lazy after-thought on design

**Requested features**

- App needs some updates


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Explore Bangkok free?

Explore Bangkok is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Issa Compass free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Explore Bangkok or Issa Compass?

Issa Compass is rated higher. Explore Bangkok averages 4.6 out of 5 from 399 ratings, while Issa Compass averages 4.9 from 32 ratings.

### Do Explore Bangkok or Issa Compass have ads?

Explore Bangkok shows ads; Issa Compass does not.

### Which is updated more often, Explore Bangkok or Issa Compass?

Explore Bangkok ships an update every 3 months, and Issa Compass weekly. Most recently, Explore Bangkok was updated on October 15, 2026 and Issa Compass on October 16, 2026.

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