# Tide Graph vs Compass XL

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Tide Graph at 70% against Compass XL's 0%. Tide Graph also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 15 months) and ratings volume (1.6K vs 1). Compass XL's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On ads there is nothing between them.

Tide Graph costs $1.99 and Compass XL $0.99 up front. Tide Graph sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Compass XL asks for nothing beyond the download.

Compass XL holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tide Graph has 1.6K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 70% of Tide Graph's written reviews are positive against 0% of Compass XL's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Tide Graph ships an update every 6 weeks, Compass XL every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tide Graph | Compass XL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **$0.99** |
| Rating | [4.8 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tide-graph/id288420737/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-xl/id364361121/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.6K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **69.6% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 15 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#24** | — |
| Size | 29 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, Apple Watch** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Brainware LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/288420740) | [Piet Jonas](https://appshunter.io/developer/288060167) |

## What reviewers say

### Tide Graph

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tide-graph/id288420737)

**Currently charting:** #24 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides interactive tide graphs with over 10 billion predictions for US coastal stations. It also displays sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, and moon phases. Save locations and graphs for easy access.

**Highlights:** Interactive tide graphs, Sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset tracking, Moon phase display, Save recent locations, GPS location finder, Save graphs for later

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2015 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2016 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2017 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2018 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2019 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2020 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2021 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2022 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2023 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2024 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2026 Tides and Currents | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Accurate tide data
- 📊 Excellent visual representation of tides
- 🗓️ Detailed tide information including moon phases
- 🔍 Reliable for many locations
- 💰 Good value for the price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🌐 Requires internet connection to function
- 🗺️ Limited to US and Alaska locations only
- 🔍 Difficult to find desired location
- 🕰️ Slow loading times in some cases
- 🔧 Compatibility issues with newer devices

**Reported bugs**

- Tide data inaccuracies reported in some locations
- Crashes and freezes when switching between stations
- Date/time display issues in certain cases

**Requested features**

- Offline mode for tide data
- Ability to save favorite locations
- Larger tide graph for better visibility
- Option to switch between metric and imperial units
- Automatic updates to latest tide information


### Compass XL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-xl/id364361121)

This app provides a digital compass for iPads, utilizing the device's built-in magnetic sensor or a sun-based alternative. It's designed for outdoor enthusiasts engaged in activities like hiking and camping.

**Highlights:** Magnetic compass functionality, Sun compass for direction finding, Suitable for outdoor activities, Works on iPad devices, No magnetic anomaly interference with sun compass

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tide Graph free?

Tide Graph costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Compass XL free?

Compass XL costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Tide Graph or Compass XL?

Compass XL is rated higher. Tide Graph averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Compass XL averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Tide Graph or Compass XL have ads?

Neither Tide Graph nor Compass XL shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tide Graph or Compass XL?

Tide Graph ships an update every 6 weeks, and Compass XL every 15 months. Most recently, Tide Graph was updated on October 3, 2026 and Compass XL on September 27, 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.*