# Compass_S vs Compass & Altimeter

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Compass_S at none against Compass & Altimeter's 3. Compass & Altimeter's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 6 months) and review sentiment (46% vs 25%). On price, rating, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Compass & Altimeter sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 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 & Altimeter. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass & Altimeter has 2.5K 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 46% of Compass & Altimeter's.

Compass_S ships an update every 6 months, Compass & Altimeter monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Compass_S | Compass & Altimeter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (281 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-s/id1385372454/reviews)** | [4.6 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-and-altimeter/id1624852951/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 281 | **2.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | **46.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#136** |
| Size | 194 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [hiroyuki uchida](https://appshunter.io/developer/669938829) | [明力 王](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460236088) |

## What reviewers say

### Compass_S

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-s/id1385372454)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Compass & Altimeter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-and-altimeter/id1624852951)

**Currently charting:** #136 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides precise geographical orientation with a compass and displays vital data like altitude, weather, and location. It helps users navigate, record locations, and measure real-time GPS speed, making it a useful travel companion.

**Highlights:** Accurate compass functionality, Display altitude, longitude, and latitude, Real-time weather information, Location recording, GPS speed measurement

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compass Premium | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Compass Premium | $3.99 | per month |
| Compass Premium | $18.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Useful compass feature
- 🚀 Smooth performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate on iPad mini
- 🐛 Drifts out of alignment over time
- 💰 Forced premium subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Compass doesn't move
- Latitude/longitude doesn't work
- Difficult to cancel subscription

**Requested features**

- Add km/h speed option
- Improve iPad landscape mode support
- Provide a free version


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Compass_S free?

Compass_S is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Compass & Altimeter free?

Compass & Altimeter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Compass_S or Compass & Altimeter?

Compass_S is rated higher. Compass_S averages 4.6 out of 5 from 281 ratings, while Compass & Altimeter averages 4.6 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do Compass_S or Compass & Altimeter have ads?

Both Compass_S and Compass & Altimeter show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Compass_S or Compass & Altimeter?

Compass_S ships an update every 6 months, and Compass & Altimeter monthly. Most recently, Compass_S was updated on October 24, 2026 and Compass & Altimeter on October 27, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*