MagVar vs LaserSoft Connect
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Magnetic variation calculation
- True vs. magnetic north difference
- Map overlay display
- Accurate for 2025-2029
- Declination and inclination calculation
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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.
LaserSoft Connect
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LaserSoft Connect provides point offset calculations in Esri's ArcGIS Field Maps using connection with laser rangefinders and angle encoders.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: LaserSoft Connect at Free against MagVar's $0.99. LaserSoft Connect also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 23 months). MagVar's advantage is chart position (#189 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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
LaserSoft Connect is free to download; MagVar costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MagVar ships an update every 23 months, LaserSoft Connect every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.
| Parameter | MagVar | LaserSoft Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 23 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #189 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Robert Walker | Laser Technology, Inc. |
In-app purchases
MagVar
No in-app purchases
LaserSoft Connect
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is MagVar free?
Is LaserSoft Connect free?
Do MagVar or LaserSoft Connect have ads?
Which is updated more often, MagVar or LaserSoft Connect?
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