Return Direction vs STRAY
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Return Direction
This app helps you find your way back to a previously saved location. It displays the direction and distance to your chosen spot, with the option to add a photo for visual reference. Ideal for remembering meeting points or return destinations.
- Save current location
- Display direction to saved location
- Show distance to saved location
- Add photos to saved locations
- Useful for meeting points
- Helps find return paths
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When you want to return to your current location later, this app will show you the direction and the distance. Let this app remember the place you are and check it later. If you register a photo, it will help you remember the place. - When you want to meet again at the place you part with others at an amusement park or a zoo - When you get off at the station and want to return to the same station again after visiting the destination such as shopping - On a bus trip, when you want to return to the bus after sightseeing
STRAY
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STRAY-IT is an app that navigates your walk so that you can freely enjoy the journey to your destination. Even if you are directionally challenged, you can walk the path you want to walk as you like by simply checking the direction and remaining distance to your destination. Recommended for the following situations! - When you want to try a different path than usual - When you want to take a leisurely walk - During free time before a meeting - When you want to walk without looking at your smartphone - When you want to take a detour - When you want to discover a new place while traveling Main functions - Navigation with only the direction and distance to your destination Even if you are directionally challenged, you will never lose track of the direction to your destination. Even if you find yourself wondering "Where should I turn?" or "I took a wrong turn!", you can reach your destination on your own. New encounters and discoveries may be waiting for you on the way to a road you don't usually take. - Display of surrounding building icons If there is an aquarium nearby, a fish icon will be displayed, and if there is a bar, a glass icon will be displayed. In this way, icons of surrounding buildings will be displayed. By finding the icons, you can make new discoveries and have fun looking for actual buildings. - Spatial display of current location and destination By pinching in on the screen, you can get an overview of your destination, starting point, and your own location. You can see your location and the location of your destination at a glance.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is device support: Return Direction at 3 against STRAY's 1. Return Direction also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Return Direction | STRAY |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | Every 13 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ryohei Minowa | Kanta Oikawa |
In-app purchases
Return Direction
No in-app purchases
STRAY
No in-app purchases
