# Compass Free vs Compass Maps

The clearest difference is rating: Compass Maps at 4.6 against Compass Free's 2.1. Compass Maps also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 22 months). Compass Free's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Compass Maps sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year. Compass Free asks for nothing beyond the download.

Compass Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass Maps has 653 ratings behind it against 50, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of Compass Free's written reviews are positive against 56% of Compass Maps's.

Compass Free ships an update every 22 months, Compass Maps every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Compass Free | Compass Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.1 (50 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-free/id284735786/reviews) | **[4.6 (653 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-maps-digital-compass/id6451059416/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 50 | **653** |
| Positive reviews | 34.4% of reviews | **55.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 22 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 5 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Masayuki Akamatsu](https://appshunter.io/developer/284722836) | [KIET NGUYEN TAN](https://appshunter.io/developer/1696408238) |

## What reviewers say

### Compass Free

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-free/id284735786)

This app functions as a sundial to determine cardinal directions using sunlight. Align the shadow of your finger with the app's shading to find north, south, east, and west.

**Highlights:** Measures cardinal points, Uses sunlight, Aligns finger shadow, Indicates directions

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple to use
- 🌞 Works with sun position
- 🆓 Free app
- 💡 Clever concept
- 🧭 Useful for basic navigation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🌤️ Requires sunlight to function
- 🌍 Not suitable for southern hemisphere
- 📍 Lacks GPS integration
- 🕰️ Doesn't adjust for daylight savings
- 🤷‍♂️ Unclear instructions

**Reported bugs**

- Causes device freezes or crashes
- Inaccurate compass readings

**Requested features**

- Add support for southern hemisphere
- Integrate with GPS for more accurate direction
- Provide night mode or moonlight option
- Improve instructions and user guidance


### Compass Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-maps-digital-compass/id6451059416)

Navigate with a digital compass that displays direction on a map. Features include real-time traffic, land area measurement, and location sharing. It utilizes GPS for auto-direction and allows map interaction.

**Highlights:** Digital compass on map, Real-time traffic maps, Land area measurement, Location sharing, GPS auto-direction, Satellite map mode

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads (Yearly) | $7.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads – Lifetime | $12.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Compass Free free?

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

### Is Compass Maps free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Compass Free or Compass Maps?

Compass Maps is rated higher. Compass Free averages 2.1 out of 5 from 50 ratings, while Compass Maps averages 4.6 from 653 ratings.

### Do Compass Free or Compass Maps have ads?

Compass Free shows ads; Compass Maps does not.

### Which is updated more often, Compass Free or Compass Maps?

Compass Free ships an update every 22 months, and Compass Maps every 4 weeks. Most recently, Compass Free was updated on September 12, 2026 and Compass Maps on September 21, 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.*