Compass Free vs Current Altitude + Compass
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Compass Free
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.
- Measures cardinal points
- Uses sunlight
- Aligns finger shadow
- Indicates directions
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Compass is a measuring instrument which indicates true direction under the sunlight. Put your finger in the middle of the compass and line it's shadow up with the app's shading.
Current Altitude + Compass
This utility app provides hikers and explorers with essential outdoor information. It offers real-time altitude, a digital compass, air quality, UV index, and a flashlight. Key locations can be saved offline for easy navigation.
- Real-time altitude readings
- Digital compass navigation
- Air quality index updates
- UV index monitoring
- Offline location saving
- Built-in flashlight
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Current Altitude + Compass is your reliable outdoor companion for hiking, camping, and exploring. Get accurate elevation readings, a real-time compass, air quality updates, UV index, and a handy flashlight, all in one easy-to-use app. Track your current altitude in meters or feet, navigate confidently with a clear digital compass, and check real-time air quality and UV conditions before heading outside. Save key locations offline with GPS coordinates and heading information. Perfect for off-grid adventures, this app works fully offline and keeps your data secure on your device. Core Features: - Digital Compass: Quickly find your direction with precise compass guidance. - Altimeter: View your current altitude in meters or feet, updated in real time. - Air Quality Index: Check the current air quality using the US EPA standard — ideal for runners, cyclists, and anyone with respiratory sensitivities. - UV Index: Know the sun exposure risk before you go outdoors, from Low to Extreme. - Location Storage: Save waypoints with altitude, compass heading, and GPS coordinates for offline reference. - Flashlight: Use the built-in flashlight to light your path anytime. Stay informed and prepared wherever your journey takes you.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Current Altitude + Compass at 4.5 against Compass Free's 2.1. Current Altitude + Compass also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 22 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Compass Free's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (50 vs 2). On price, ads and 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
Both are free to download. Current Altitude + Compass sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Compass Free asks for nothing beyond the download.
Current Altitude + Compass holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass Free has 50 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Compass Free ships an update every 22 months, Current Altitude + Compass every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Compass Free | Current Altitude + Compass |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.1 (50 ratings) | 4.5 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 34.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 50 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 22 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Masayuki Akamatsu | RedTracker LLC |
Customer experience
Compass Free
Current Altitude + Compass
Bugs and requests
Compass Free
Reported bugs
2 issues- Causes device freezes or crashes
- Inaccurate compass readings
Requested features
4 requests- Add support for southern hemisphere
- Integrate with GPS for more accurate direction
- Provide night mode or moonlight option
- Improve instructions and user guidance
Current Altitude + Compass
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Compass Free
No in-app purchases
Current Altitude + Compass
- Remove Ads$3.99
Questions
Is Compass Free free?
Is Current Altitude + Compass free?
Which has better reviews, Compass Free or Current Altitude + Compass?
Do Compass Free or Current Altitude + Compass have ads?
Which is updated more often, Compass Free or Current Altitude + Compass?
Other comparisons
