Compass_S vs Compass Direction
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
Compass Direction
This app provides accurate compass headings and directions with a real-time GPS map. Easily switch between map and camera views, and access features like altitude, speed, and a torch. Enjoy a beautiful and intuitive interface with haptic feedback and accessibility support.
- Accurate compass headings and directions
- Real-time GPS map with zoom
- Altitude, latitude, and longitude display
- Speedometer
- Integrated torch
- Switch between map and camera view
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AS FEATURED ON: TechRadar and more. Compass Direction - Digital is an easy to use compass app which allows you to find accurate compass headings and directions along with a realtime GPS map. Switch between the map and the view by holding the device up! WHY YOU’LL LOVE COMPASS DIRECTION - DIGITAL: The app allows you to use a digital compass - and it looks beautiful whilst doing so! NOTABLE FEATURES: • The app includes heading, direction, altitude, latitude, longitude, speedometer, and a torch • Switch between map types by tapping the screen and pinch to zoom in/out • Switch between the map and view by holding the device up • Accurate realtime compass direction and heading • Realtime GPS coordinates • Simple and beautiful user interface • Small haptics when interacting, improving the overall experience • VoiceOver support • 3D Touch GET IN TOUCH: If you have any questions or feedback, I'm all ears. Compass Direction - Digital was created by an individual in his free time, and I’d love to know what you think. I’m available through Twitter @elohohel. Terms of Use (EULA) - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Compass_S at none against Compass Direction's 9. Compass_S also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). Compass Direction's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (2.7K vs 281). On price, rating, ads and monetization model 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. Compass Direction sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Compass_S asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Compass_S against 4.6 for Compass Direction. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass Direction has 2.7K ratings behind it against 281, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 25% of Compass_S's written reviews are positive against 34% of Compass Direction's.
Compass_S ships an update every 6 months, Compass Direction every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Compass_S | Compass Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (281 ratings) | 4.6 (2.7K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | 34.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 281 | 2.7K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #188 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 194 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | hiroyuki uchida | Rihab Mehboob |
Customer experience
Compass_S
Compass Direction
Bugs and requests
Compass_S
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Compass Direction
Reported bugs
4 issues- Compass always showing wrong directions
- App freezes or becomes non-functional
- Restore purchase feature not working
- App crashing or not loading properly
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to calibrate the compass
- Option to purchase a one-time fee instead of subscription
- Offline map support
- Ability to set waypoints and get directions
In-app purchases
Compass_S
No in-app purchases
Compass Direction
- Compass 1 Week$3.997 Days
- Compass 1 Week$4.997 Days
- Compass 1 Month3 Days trial$5.991 Month
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- Compass 1 Month$9.991 Month
- Compass 1 Year3 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Compass 6 Months$29.996 Months
- Compass 1 Year3 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Compass Lifetime$69.99
- Compass Lifetime$99.99
Questions
Is Compass_S free?
Is Compass Direction free?
Which has better reviews, Compass_S or Compass Direction?
Do Compass_S or Compass Direction have ads?
Which is updated more often, Compass_S or Compass Direction?
Other comparisons
