# Compass vs Handy Compass

The clearest difference is update cadence: Handy Compass at every 2 weeks against Compass's every 2 months. Compass's advantage is ratings volume (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Compass against 5.0 for Handy Compass. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Compass | Handy Compass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-j/id1096012000/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handy-compass-digital-compass/id6448968694/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Ad-supported |
| Size | 132 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [hiroyuki uchida](https://appshunter.io/developer/669938829) | [APPS BAY LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1599035519) |

## What reviewers say

### Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-j/id1096012000)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Handy Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handy-compass-digital-compass/id6448968694)

This navigation tool helps you find directions and locate specific items or places. Easily mark and track locations on a map, and even find your parked car.

**Highlights:** Find directions, Locate items, Track saved places, Move map symbols, Find parked car

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Compass free?

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

### Is Handy Compass free?

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

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

Compass and Handy Compass are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Compass or Handy Compass have ads?

Both Compass and Handy Compass show ads.

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

Compass ships an update every 2 months, and Handy Compass every 2 weeks. Most recently, Compass was updated on October 19, 2026 and Handy Compass on October 2, 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.*