# Altimeter for Aviators vs Ecliptic Compass

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Altimeter for Aviators at 76% against Ecliptic Compass's 0%. Altimeter for Aviators also leads on price (Free vs $1.99) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 10 months). Ecliptic Compass's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Altimeter for Aviators is free to download; Ecliptic Compass costs $1.99 up front. Altimeter for Aviators sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Ecliptic Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ecliptic Compass holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Altimeter for Aviators has 575 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of Altimeter for Aviators's written reviews are positive against 0% of Ecliptic Compass's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Altimeter for Aviators ships an update every 5 weeks, Ecliptic Compass every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Altimeter for Aviators | Ecliptic Compass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (575 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/altimeter-for-aviators/id1463100680/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ecliptic-compass/id1584943153/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **575** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **75.6% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 10 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#170** |
| Size | 2 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [STEARsoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/373730382) | [wing lun tong](https://appshunter.io/developer/1372766496) |

## What reviewers say

### Altimeter for Aviators

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/altimeter-for-aviators/id1463100680)

This app functions as a pressure altimeter, similar to those found in aircraft, utilizing your device's barometer. It's designed for pilots and aviation enthusiasts to understand altitude, height above a location, and flight levels. It works as a standalone Apple Watch app or on iPhones/iPads with a barometer.

**Highlights:** Pressure altimeter functionality, Standalone Apple Watch app, Calculates altitude above sea level, Calculates height above a specific location (QFE), Calculates Flight Level (FL) using standard pressure, Supports pressure units (inHg, hPa, mb)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VSI | $1.99 | one-time |
| Altitude Units | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- ✈️ Accurate altimeter representation for pilots
- ⌚ Works well on Apple Watch
- 🎯 Easy pressure setting adjustment like real cockpit
- 📱 No GPS required for operation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes or stops working after iOS updates
- 📵 Inconsistent performance across Watch models
- 🔴 Watch display shows red/no reading on some devices
- 📧 Poor developer communication and contact options
- 💰 Upsell prompts not clearly disclosed

**Reported bugs**

- App hangs on 'reading pressure' with Apple Watch 8
- Watch complication shows dashed line instead of altitude
- Incompatibility with iOS 17.4
- Watch app graphics fuzzy/wrong resolution
- Crown and long press unresponsive on Watch 8

**Requested features**

- CarPlay integration and widget support
- Night mode with dark theme
- Keep screen on while flying option
- Drum pointer altimeter display option
- Digital altitude readout option


### Ecliptic Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ecliptic-compass/id1584943153)

**Currently charting:** #170 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

This navigation app displays the ecliptic plane, Sun, Moon, and planet directions on a compass. It helps users verify compass accuracy using celestial bodies and offers manual rectification. It also generates horoscope charts and allows custom time/location views.

**Highlights:** Normal compass functionality, Ecliptic plane, Sun, Moon, planet directions, Manual compass rectification, Horoscope chart generation, Custom time and location settings, Offline location database

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Altimeter for Aviators free?

Altimeter for Aviators is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Ecliptic Compass free?

Ecliptic Compass costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Altimeter for Aviators or Ecliptic Compass?

Ecliptic Compass is rated higher. Altimeter for Aviators averages 4.7 out of 5 from 575 ratings, while Ecliptic Compass averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Altimeter for Aviators or Ecliptic Compass have ads?

Neither Altimeter for Aviators nor Ecliptic Compass shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Altimeter for Aviators or Ecliptic Compass?

Altimeter for Aviators ships an update every 5 weeks, and Ecliptic Compass every 10 months. Most recently, Altimeter for Aviators was updated on September 24, 2026 and Ecliptic Compass on September 3, 2026.

---

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