Comparison

Compass vs Compass Guide

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Compass

This navigation tool displays cardinal and 16-point directions in Japanese. It's useful for finding lucky directions during traditional events and can be used offline. The app provides guidance for environments where compass accuracy might be affected.

Highlights
  • Japanese directional display
  • 16-point direction system
  • Offline functionality
  • Eho-maki direction guide
  • Accuracy environment detection
Read full description

This compass clearly displays directions in Japanese. In addition to the cardinal directions, it shows 16-point directions based on the orientation of your device. This app was featured in episode 4 of the Nippon TV drama "Tokyo Tarareba Girls". It also appears in a theatrical film. For details, please check the link within the app. It can also be used as a compass to determine the direction for eating Eho-maki during Setsubun. Displays directions such as "north-northwest", "east-northeast", "south-southeast", and "west-southwest" in Japanese. Setsubun in 2026 will be on February 3rd, and the lucky direction is south-southeast. It is useful as an Eho-maki compass for Setsubun. We resolved the issue where the app could be installed on devices without a magnetic sensor. *The compass operates using a magnetic sensor and will not function on devices without one. We added a feature that detects environments where the compass may be inaccurate and provides solutions. Features were added to hide banner ads and to use the app offline in places like mountains and oceans. Please give it a try.

About

Compass Guide

This application provides directional guidance and heading information using your device's compass. It's designed to help users find their way in various situations.

Highlights
  • Directional finding
  • Heading information
  • Outdoor navigation aid
  • Hiking GPS support
Features
Read full description

Compass Guide is a simple, reliable digital compass for hiking, navigation, and everyday direction-finding — no account required. FIND YOUR WAY • Live compass heading in true north or magnetic north • Calibration guidance and an accuracy indicator you can trust • Your coordinates, altitude, and speed at a glance NAVIGATE TO A DESTINATION • Set a destination by map, clipboard coordinates, or manual entry • See live bearing and distance to where you're headed • Save multiple destinations with Premium SEE THE SKY • Sun and moon position markers on the dial (Premium) • Night mode with a red-tinted display to protect your night vision MAKE IT YOURS • Six compass styles: Classic, Field, Nautical, Military, Surveyor, and Minimal • Choose degrees or mils, metric or imperial units • Keep the screen on, add a haptic tick at true north, and use the built-in flashlight SHARE YOUR HEADING • Export a shareable image card with your heading and location details GO PREMIUM YOUR WAY • Unlock every feature with a one-time purchase — no subscription • Or watch a short ad anytime to unlock Premium free for 24 hours Compass Guide works fully offline for core compass features and never asks you to create an account.

Screenshots

Compass4 screens
Compass Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Compass at 5.0 against Compass Guide's 4.5. Compass also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (50% vs 40%). Compass Guide's advantage is ratings volume (126 vs 4) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Compass holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass Guide has 126 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Compass's written reviews are positive against 40% of Compass Guide's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Compass ships an update every 2 months, Compass Guide fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Compass versus Compass Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCompassCompass Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better4.5 (126 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4126 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supportedAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerhiroyuki uchidaAPPS BAY LIMITED

Customer experience

Compass

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Compass Guide

All ratings126 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Compass

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Compass Guide

One-time1
  • Premium$2.99

Questions

Is Compass free?
Compass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Compass Guide free?
Compass Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Compass or Compass Guide?
Compass is rated higher. Compass averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Compass Guide averages 4.5 from 126 ratings.
Do Compass or Compass Guide have ads?
Both Compass and Compass Guide show ads.
Which is updated more often, Compass or Compass Guide?
Compass ships an update every 2 months, and Compass Guide fortnightly. Most recently, Compass was updated on October 19, 2026 and Compass Guide on October 15, 2026.

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