# Compass∞ vs CalTopo

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CalTopo at none against Compass∞'s 1. CalTopo also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Compass∞'s advantage is review sentiment (82% vs 56%) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

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

CalTopo holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5.1K and 7.5K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 82% of Compass∞'s written reviews are positive against 56% of CalTopo's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Compass∞ ships an update every 2 months, CalTopo every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Compass∞ | CalTopo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass/id1174136875/reviews) | **[4.8 (7.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltopo-backcountry-mapping/id1460038458/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5.1K | **7.5K** |
| Positive reviews | **82.0% of reviews** | 56.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#123** |
| Size | 16 MB | 165 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Camera LLC(TX)](https://appshunter.io/developer/511623212) | [CalTopo LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460038457) |

## What reviewers say

### Compass∞

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass/id1174136875)

This app provides an accurate and easy-to-read compass for outdoor activities like hiking and camping. It displays heading, magnetic north, cardinal directions, temperature, and altitude. A flashlight is also included for nighttime use.

**Highlights:** Accurate compass readings, Magnetic North display, Cardinal direction indicators, Weather temperature, Altitude display, Large letter readings, Built-in flashlight

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Speedometer Lat/Long No Ads | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Accurate and reliable
- 🔦 Useful flashlight feature
- 💡 Helpful for navigation and orientation
- ⭐ Great app overall

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Frequent prompts to upgrade to premium
- 🐛 Occasional inaccuracies or inconsistencies
- 🔋 High battery consumption

**Reported bugs**

- Compass reading sometimes off by 90 degrees
- App crashes or freezes on certain devices

**Requested features**

- Add latitude and longitude display
- Improve compass calibration
- Reduce frequency of premium upgrade prompts


### CalTopo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltopo-backcountry-mapping/id1460038458)

**Currently charting:** #123 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Plan and navigate off-grid adventures with detailed offline maps and real-time weather forecasts. Trusted by professionals, this app offers seamless syncing and collaborative planning for backcountry pursuits.

**Highlights:** Offline map downloads, Satellite imagery, Route planning, GPS tracking, Weather forecasting, Collaborative map sharing, Slope angle shading

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful mapping features
- 💡 Extensive data layers
- 👍 Detailed trail and terrain information
- 👍 Useful for SAR operations
- 👍 Great for planning outdoor adventures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable mobile app
- 🐛 Maps not always loading properly
- 🐛 Slow map rendering
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Difficult to use for casual users

**Reported bugs**

- Trails and tracks disappearing
- Coordinate display issues
- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Incompatibility with older devices

**Requested features**

- Add 3D map view
- Implement route snapping to trails
- Improve offline map download capabilities
- Add photo geotagging functionality
- Implement course-up map orientation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Compass∞ free?

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

### Is CalTopo free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Compass∞ or CalTopo?

CalTopo is rated higher. Compass∞ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5.1K ratings, while CalTopo averages 4.8 from 7.5K ratings.

### Do Compass∞ or CalTopo have ads?

Neither Compass∞ nor CalTopo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Compass∞ or CalTopo?

Compass∞ ships an update every 2 months, and CalTopo every 2 weeks. Most recently, Compass∞ was updated on October 21, 2026 and CalTopo on October 21, 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.*