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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You can find directions without a magnetic compass, as long as there is sunlight. Hold your finger upright at the center of the screen and turn your device. Just line up the white line with your finger's shadow, and the correct directions are shown. It needs neither GPS nor a network connection and works completely standalone. Just make sure your device's clock is set correctly.
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 4.8 against Compass Free's 2.1. Current Altitude + Compass also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Compass Free's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (49 vs 4). 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, 4.8 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass Free has 49 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Compass Free ships an update every 10 months, Current Altitude + Compass every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Compass Free | Current Altitude + Compass |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.1 (49 ratings) | 4.8 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 34.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 49 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 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?
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