Comparison

FULL COMPASS vs CompassTip

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

Head to head
About

FULL COMPASS

This app provides high-precision navigation with a compass, level gauge, altimeter, and GPS coordinates. It supports both Japanese and English direction labels and offers customizable display styles. It also includes a special feature for finding lucky directions during traditional Japanese festivals.

Highlights
  • High-precision compass
  • Level gauge and altimeter
  • Latitude/longitude display
  • Japanese and English direction labels
  • Customizable design styles
  • Eho-maki compass for festivals
  • Offline functionality
Read full description

This compass allows you to instantly switch between Japanese directions ("東西南北") and English abbreviations ("NESW") with a single tap. It not only shows directions but also functions as a level gauge, altimeter, latitude/longitude display, and smartphone tilt indicator. The compass supports 16 directional points and displays both cardinal names and precise angles in degrees (0–360°). You can switch the language between Japanese and English via the menu. In addition to vertical and horizontal leveling, the app graphically displays the phone's tilt using four gyro indicators. You can choose between two design styles: a mechanical "Gray Metallic" or a classic "Black". These can be changed from the settings menu. It also serves as an "Eho‑maki Compass" for Setsubun, helping you find the lucky direction to eat your Eho-maki. The directions "North-northwest", "Northeast by east", "South-southeast", and "Southwest by west" are available in Japanese. In 2026, Setsubun falls on February 3rd. The lucky direction for Eho-maki is South-southeast. Use this app to easily find that direction and enjoy your Setsubun traditions! We've resolved an issue where the app could be installed on devices lacking a magnetic sensor. ※Please note: the compass function requires a magnetic sensor and may not work properly on unsupported devices. We also added a new feature that detects environments where compass readings are unstable and provides troubleshooting guidance. Additional features include the ability to hide banner ads and use the app offline, perfect for use in the mountains or by the sea. Give it a try

About

CompassTip

Read full description

CompassTip app features an augmented reality virtual 3D compass presented on the live camera feed of your device. Easily find your point of interest via your camera and also through the focus eyelet in the middle of the compass. From there, you can read the compass directions without having to lift your head or shift your eyes to away from your point of interest. The compass also features a map that automatically updates as you move your device. The app features a unique responsive compass where the indicators tilt and move according to the tilt of your device. The indicators are designed to tilt and move in a way that display intuitive directions in 3D space. For example, normal standard compasses and standard indicators of direction have a fixed arrow that points downwards when you have your device held vertically in front of you even if that direction is directly behind you. Arrows pointing straight up when you are facing straight ahead are more intuitive than arrows that point straight down when it is meant to be pointing behind you. The tilting of the compass also provides intuitive visual feedback on how much you are tilting your device. CompassTip is designed to tilt that arrow so that it points inwards towards the screen to indicate a direction that is behind you, and this happens accurately and smoothly as you move your device around. This is coupled with augmented reality so that you can view what you are pointing at and have a proper indication of directions in relation to your camera. The app also lets you adjust the camera (digital) zoom to aid you in visually finding your point of interest. Key features: • Augmented reality compass with 3D direction needles that also moves according to the tilt of your device; • A map that is synchronized to your current location and heading, which automatically updates as you move your device; • Adjustable map size; • Ability to adjust the camera zoom; • Ability to turn AR on and off; • Ability to share a screenshot of your compass screen; and • Information display that includes current heading, longitude, latitude and elevation. This app uses an in-app credit system called, CompassTip Beans. You earn CompassTip Beans by interacting with advertisements or making consumable in-app purchases that top-up the number of beans. You may then exchange and redeem these beans for other features in the app including activating ad-free periods. The app offers the following consumable items: • Title: Purchase 10000 Beans - Description: Adds 10000 CompassTip Beans to your account - Price: (Please check the app or the App Store for the latest price as it may be subject to change) • Title: Purchase 200 Beans - Description: Adds 200 CompassTip Beans to your account - Price: (Please check the app or the App Store for the latest price as it may be subject to change) For more information, please see our Terms of Use (https://compasstip.com/terms) and Privacy Policy (https://compasstip.com/privacy-policy).

Screenshots

FULL COMPASS4 screens
CompassTip4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FULL COMPASS at none against CompassTip's 4. FULL COMPASS also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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. CompassTip sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. FULL COMPASS asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FULL COMPASS ships an update every 4 months, CompassTip every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on July 16, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
FULL COMPASS versus CompassTip: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFULL COMPASSCompassTip
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (34 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings34 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size200 MB248 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerhiroyuki uchidaTanadium Pte. Ltd.

In-app purchases

None

FULL COMPASS

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

CompassTip

Subscriptions2
  • Ad-Free Monthly Subscription$0.991 Month
  • Ad-Free Annual Subscription$5.991 Year
One-time2
  • Purchase 200 Beans$1.99
  • Purchase 10000 Beans$59.99

Questions

Is FULL COMPASS free?
FULL COMPASS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CompassTip free?
CompassTip is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FULL COMPASS or CompassTip have ads?
Both FULL COMPASS and CompassTip show ads.
Which is updated more often, FULL COMPASS or CompassTip?
FULL COMPASS ships an update every 4 months, and CompassTip every 3 months. Most recently, FULL COMPASS was updated on July 16, 2026 and CompassTip on September 8, 2026.

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