Comparison

Bubble Level + Compass vs MLAstro Hub

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

Head to head
About

Bubble Level + Compass

This utility app provides a precise bubble level for horizontal, vertical, and surface angle measurements, along with a true-north compass. It offers advanced calibration options and works on iOS devices. A Pro version is available for additional features.

Highlights
  • Horizontal and vertical level measurements
  • Surface angle readings
  • True north compass
  • Advanced calibration
  • Magnetic declination reading
  • Accelerometer/Gyro switch
Features
Read full description

Bubble Level + Compass combines a bubble level and a compass, with advanced controls for users who want more than the basics. Use it to check horizontal/vertical/surface angles, or get compass direction relative to either true or magnetic north. For users who work with physical compasses, magnetic declination is also provided to convert magnetic readings to true north readings. The level includes gyroscope calibration, which is especially useful on phones with a raised camera bump or an uneven back/case. No nagging popups or interruptions. The free version only includes a small banner ad at the bottom. Features • Bullseye level plus horizontal and vertical levels with 0.1 degree precision. • Compass with true north and magnetic north. • Magnetic declination display for converting magnetic readings to true north readings. • Gyroscope calibration for phones that do not rest perfectly flat. • Gyro or accelerometer sensor mode. • Clean interface with no popup interruptions. If you enjoy the app, leaving a review would help. An ad-free Pro version is also available, with more features including Apple Watch support, night mode, slope/inclination %, and pitch, yaw, and roll rotation rate.

About

MLAstro Hub

Control your OnStep telescope mount wirelessly from your phone. Manage mount status, navigate celestial catalogs, and perform alignment and configuration tasks without a laptop.

Highlights
  • Live mount status monitoring
  • Directional control with adjustable slew rates
  • One-tap home and park functionality
  • Access to celestial object catalogs for Go-To slewing
  • Guided alignment workflow
  • Flexible Wi-Fi network setup
  • Configuration and tuning options
Features
Read full description

MLAstro is the wireless remote control companion for OnStep-based telescope mounts connected through SmartWebServer. Whether you're in your backyard or at a dark-sky site, MLAstro gives you everything you need right from your phone — no laptop, no cables, no hassle. KEY FEATURES ● Live Mount Status See your mount's current state at a glance: tracking mode, guide rates, slew status, and connection health — all updated in real time. ● Full Directional Control A responsive on-screen directional pad lets you nudge the mount in any direction. Adjust slew rates, start or stop tracking, and send mount utility commands with a tap. ● Home & Park Safely home or park your mount at the end of a session with dedicated one-tap controls. ● Go-To Catalogs Browse built-in catalogs and send your mount directly to any object: - Messier catalog (110 objects) - Caldwell catalog (109 objects) - Bright Stars list - J2000 coordinate entry for any custom target ● Target Detail & Slew View object details before slewing, confirm the target, and watch your mount move — all from one clean screen. ● Alignment Workflow Step through the alignment process guided by the app, so your mount points accurately every time. ● Flexible Network Setup Supports both Access Point and Station (router) Wi-Fi modes. Save your controller's IP address and port so you're always one tap from connecting. ● Configuration & Tuning Adjust meridian flip settings, slew limits, slew rates, tracking mode, time & location, and controller / axis parameters — all without leaving the app. ● Light & Dark Theme Choose light, dark, or follow your system preference. REQUIREMENTS - An OnStep-based telescope mount controller - SmartWebServer (or compatible TCP bridge) running on port 9998 (configurable) - iOS 15 or later - Same local Wi-Fi network as the mount MLAstro is built for amateur astronomers who want a clean, capable mobile controller for their OnStep rig. No account required. No cloud. Just your phone and your mount.

Screenshots

Bubble Level + Compass3 screens
MLAstro Hub4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: MLAstro Hub at none against Bubble Level + Compass's shown. MLAstro Hub also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 months) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Bubble Level + Compass's advantage is ratings volume (34 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Bubble Level + Compass against 5.0 for MLAstro Hub. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bubble Level + Compass has 34 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bubble Level + Compass ships an update every 4 months, MLAstro Hub every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Bubble Level + Compass versus MLAstro Hub: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBubble Level + CompassMLAstro Hub
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (34 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings34 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB86 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDimitrios KechagiasTo Ngoc Khanh

Customer experience

Bubble Level + Compass

All ratings34 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive90.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.5%

MLAstro Hub

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Bubble Level + Compass

No in-app purchases

None

MLAstro Hub

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bubble Level + Compass free?
Bubble Level + Compass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MLAstro Hub free?
MLAstro Hub is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bubble Level + Compass or MLAstro Hub?
Bubble Level + Compass and MLAstro Hub are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 34 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Bubble Level + Compass or MLAstro Hub have ads?
Bubble Level + Compass shows ads; MLAstro Hub does not.
Which is updated more often, Bubble Level + Compass or MLAstro Hub?
Bubble Level + Compass ships an update every 4 months, and MLAstro Hub every 5 days. Most recently, Bubble Level + Compass was updated on September 30, 2026 and MLAstro Hub on September 23, 2026.

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