Compass_S vs Arrow
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
Arrow
This navigation app offers a minimalist and intuitive compass experience. It uses device sensors to display directions with an elegant rotating arrow, providing essential information without clutter. Ideal for hikers, travelers, and design enthusiasts.
- Minimalist design
- Intuitive navigation
- Rotating arrow indicator
- Uses device sensors
- Essential information display
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Arrow is the epitome of simplicity for a compass. It stands out as the most minimal and user-friendly compass designed to provide an intuitive navigation experience. Arrow eliminates unnecessary elements and leaves an elegant rotating arrow symbol with directions using the device's built-in sensors. The beauty of Arrow lies in its ability to embrace a minimalist design philosophy that shows users the essential information they need. Whether you're an avid hiker, a traveler exploring new cities, or simply someone who appreciates elegant design, Arrow is the compass app that caters to your needs.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Arrow at 100% against Compass_S's 25%. Arrow also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Compass_S's advantage is ratings volume (281 vs 1) and update cadence (every 6 months vs every 23 months). On price 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.
Arrow holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass_S has 281 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Compass_S's written reviews are positive against 100% of Arrow's.
Compass_S ships an update every 6 months, Arrow every 23 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Compass_S | Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (281 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 281 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months — better | Every 23 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 194 MB | 0 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | hiroyuki uchida | Soltan Adel |
Customer experience
Compass_S
Arrow
In-app purchases
Compass_S
No in-app purchases
Arrow
No in-app purchases
