# NESW vs Compass

The clearest difference is rating: NESW at 5.0 against Compass's 4.0. NESW also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (25% vs 0%). Compass's advantage is update cadence (every 8 months vs every 57 months) and ratings volume (35 vs 1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

NESW holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass has 35 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of NESW's written reviews are positive against 0% of Compass's.

NESW ships an update every 57 months, Compass every 8 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | NESW | Compass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nesw-tactical-compass/id1174329659/reviews)** | [4.0 (35 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-maps/id1353298658/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **35** |
| Positive reviews | **25.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 57 months | **Every 8 months** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 8 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Solaz Dazen srl](https://appshunter.io/developer/802275887) | [Nalin Savaliya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1248252947) |

## What reviewers say

### NESW

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nesw-tactical-compass/id1174329659)

A simple, easy-to-read compass app showing heading, cardinal direction, and magnetic north. It also features a flashlight toggle for convenience during outdoor activities.

**Highlights:** Heading and cardinal direction indicator, Magnetic North pointer, Large font degree heading, Rotating compass rose, Background color change for North, Integrated flashlight toggle

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-maps/id1353298658)

This navigation app provides a digital compass and map to help you find your way. It displays your current GPS location, address, and direction, with features like a torchlight and traffic information.

**Highlights:** Digital compass with map integration, Displays current GPS location and address, Shows true and magnetic north, Torchlight function, Traffic information, Distance measurement

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compass with Maps | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NESW free?

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

### Is Compass free?

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

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

NESW is rated higher. NESW averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Compass averages 4.0 from 35 ratings.

### Do NESW or Compass have ads?

Both NESW and Compass show ads.

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

NESW ships an update every 57 months, and Compass every 8 months. Most recently, NESW was updated on October 24, 2026 and Compass on October 24, 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.*