Compass Free vs 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.
Compass++
This utility app provides essential tools for explorers, including a compass, altitude display, ruler, and an integrated map. Its beautiful design makes it suitable for both novice and experienced users.
- Compass
- Altitude display
- Ruler
- Integrated map
- Beautifully designed interface
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Compass++ is the perfect app for any explorer. Both experts and beginners alike will find features they love in a beautifully designed canvas. Compass++ includes a compass, of course, a display of your current altitude, a ruler for those emergencies and a map tucked below. Special thanks to icons8. Looking for some awesome icons? Check out https://icons8.com!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Compass++ at 3.6 against Compass Free's 2.1. Compass++ also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 22 months). Compass Free's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (34% vs 13%). On price 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. Compass++ sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Compass Free asks for nothing beyond the download.
Compass++ holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass++ has 464 ratings behind it against 50, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 34% of Compass Free's written reviews are positive against 13% of Compass++'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Compass Free ships an update every 22 months, Compass++ monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Compass Free | Compass++ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.1 (50 ratings) | 3.6 (464 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 34.4% of reviews — better | 13.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 50 | 464 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 22 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Masayuki Akamatsu | KleinCodes, LLC |
Customer experience
Compass Free
Compass++
User reviews
Compass Free
From 50 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Simple to use
- 🌞 Works with sun position
- 🆓 Free app
- 💡 Clever concept
- 🧭 Useful for basic navigation
Room to improve
- 🌤️ Requires sunlight to function
- 🌍 Not suitable for southern hemisphere
- 📍 Lacks GPS integration
- 🕰️ Doesn't adjust for daylight savings
- 🤷♂️ Unclear instructions
Compass++
From 464 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Map feature is okay
- 👍 Shows altitude and other features
- 👍 Great compass application
Room to improve
- 🐛 Compass does not work
- 🐛 Altitude is inaccurate
- 🐛 Compass needle doesn't turn
- 🐛 Compass needle points randomly
- 🐛 App shows user is always going north
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
Compass++
Reported bugs
9 issues- Compass does not work
- Compass needle doesn't turn
- Altitude is wrong
- App shows user is always going north
- Compass is not pointing north
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Compass readings are inconsistent
- Compass does nothing, just a picture
- Screen just sits there, doesn't work
- App doesn't provide direction
Requested features
2 requests- Instructions on how to set up/calibrate
- Map shows all roads
In-app purchases
Compass Free
No in-app purchases
Compass++
- Remove Ads$0.99
Questions
Is Compass Free free?
Is Compass++ free?
Which has better reviews, Compass Free or Compass++?
Do Compass Free or Compass++ have ads?
Which is updated more often, Compass Free or Compass++?
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