Comparison

Compass Direction vs MagVar

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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/

About

MagVar

This navigation tool calculates magnetic variation, the difference between true and magnetic north, essential for plotting courses on maps. It's designed for pilots, sailors, cartographers, and anyone using maps and a compass.

Highlights
  • Magnetic variation calculation
  • True vs. magnetic north difference
  • Map overlay display
  • Accurate for 2025-2029
  • Declination and inclination calculation
Features
Read full description

MagVar is targeted towards anyone interested in navigation. This includes, pilots of aircraft, captains of sea going vessels, cartographers, engineers and surveyors. Anyone who uses maps and a compass will find the declination calculation (also referred to magnetic variation) very useful. (Declination is the difference between true and magnetic north and used when plotting a course on a map.) MagVar calculates the magnetic flux density for any location on the Earth and then uses this data to calculate magnetic variation. The model is accurate for dates ranging from January 1, 2025 up through December 31, 2029. Using the model, the app calculates declination and inclination. As the user pans the map, the magnetic variation is calculated and graphically shown as a map overlay.

Screenshots

Compass Direction4 screens
MagVar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MagVar at 100% against Compass Direction's 34%. MagVar also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). Compass Direction's advantage is price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 23 months). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Compass Direction is free to download; MagVar costs $0.99 up front. Compass Direction sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. MagVar asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MagVar holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass Direction has 2.7K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of Compass Direction's written reviews are positive against 100% of MagVar's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Compass Direction ships an update every 3 days, MagVar every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard10 real differences · 1 level
Compass Direction versus MagVar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCompass DirectionMagVar
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.6 (2.7K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews34.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.7K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 23 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#146 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRihab MehboobRobert Walker

Customer experience

Compass Direction

All ratings2,704 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral2.8%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews58 reviews
Positive34.5%
Neutral5.2%
Negative60.3%

MagVar

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and 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

MagVar

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Compass Direction

Subscriptions7
  • Compass 1 Week$3.997 Days
  • Compass 1 Week$4.997 Days
  • Compass 1 Month3 Days trial$5.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • 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
One-time2
  • Compass Lifetime$69.99
  • Compass Lifetime$99.99
None

MagVar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Compass Direction free?
Compass Direction is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MagVar free?
MagVar costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Compass Direction or MagVar?
MagVar is rated higher. Compass Direction averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.7K ratings, while MagVar averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Compass Direction or MagVar have ads?
Compass Direction shows ads; MagVar does not.
Which is updated more often, Compass Direction or MagVar?
Compass Direction ships an update every 3 days, and MagVar every 23 months. Most recently, Compass Direction was updated on October 15, 2026 and MagVar on October 16, 2026.

Other comparisons