Compass_S vs CompassTip
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Compass_S
A straightforward compass app offering five distinct needle designs. It displays cardinal directions in multiple formats, including Japanese, and provides GPS coordinates like latitude, longitude, and altitude. The app includes features to help maintain accuracy and can be used for specific cultural practices.
- Five needle designs
- NESW and Japanese cardinal points
- Latitude, longitude, and altitude display
- Accuracy guidance for level positioning
- Ehomaki compass for Setsubun
- Ad-free and offline modes
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This is a simple and intuitive compass app. You can choose from five different needle designs. It displays directions in NESW and Japanese cardinal points, as well as latitude, longitude, and altitude. Please hold your smartphone flat when using the compass. Accuracy will decrease if the device is not held level. When tilted, the center icon of the needle will shift to help guide you into a level position. It can also be used as a compass to check the direction to eat "Ehomaki" during Setsubun. Displays directions like "North-northwest", "East-northeast", "South-southeast", and "West-southwest" in Japanese. Setsubun in 2026 falls on February 3rd, and the lucky direction is south-southeast. Useful as an Ehomaki compass for Setsubun. We resolved the issue where the app could be installed on devices without a magnetic sensor. Note: Since the compass relies on a magnetic sensor, it will not work on unsupported devices We have also added a function to detect environmental conditions that may affect compass accuracy and provide solutions. Now includes features to hide banner ads and use offline in mountains or at sea. Give it a try
CompassTip
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Compass_S at none against CompassTip's 4. Compass_S also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). CompassTip's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). On price, 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
Both are free to download. CompassTip sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Compass_S asks for nothing beyond the download.
Compass_S ships an update every 6 months, CompassTip every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Compass_S | CompassTip |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (282 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 282 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 194 MB | 248 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | hiroyuki uchida | Tanadium Pte. Ltd. |
In-app purchases
Compass_S
No in-app purchases
CompassTip
- Ad-Free Monthly Subscription$0.991 Month
- Ad-Free Annual Subscription$5.991 Year
- Purchase 200 Beans$1.99
- Purchase 10000 Beans$59.99









