# Spyglass vs Theodolite

The clearest difference is price: Spyglass at Free against Theodolite's $8.99. Spyglass also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (3.9K vs 906). Theodolite's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#10 vs #164). On rating, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Spyglass is free to download; Theodolite costs $8.99 up front. Spyglass sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Theodolite sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Spyglass against 4.7 for Theodolite. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3.9K and 906 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Spyglass's written reviews are positive against 88% of Theodolite's.

Spyglass ships an update every 6 weeks, Theodolite every 4 months. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spyglass | Theodolite |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $8.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spyglass/id332639548/reviews)** | [4.7 (906 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theodolite/id339393884/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.9K** | 906 |
| Positive reviews | 80.6% of reviews | **87.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #164 | **#10** |
| Size | 66 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.4** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pavel Ahafonau](https://appshunter.io/developer/319585607) | [Craig Hunter](https://appshunter.io/developer/286743884) |

## What reviewers say

### Spyglass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spyglass/id332639548)

**Currently charting:** #164 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app is a comprehensive offline navigation tool for outdoor and off-road adventures. It combines a high-tech compass, GPS receiver, and augmented reality display with numerous tools for tracking, measuring, and celestial observation.

**Highlights:** Offline GPS and maps, Augmented reality display, Advanced compass and gyrocompass, Waypoint tracking and navigation, Sun, Moon, and star finder, Optical rangefinder, Camera with GPS data overlay

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spyglass Plus | $3.99 | per month |
| Spyglass Plus (Month) | $3.99 | per month |
| Spyglass Plus (Year) | $29.99 | per year |
| Spyglass Pro (Lifetime) | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Excellent navigation and mapping features
- 🔍 Highly accurate compass and location tracking
- 🔭 Useful augmented reality and sextant functions
- 📸 Ability to capture geotagged photos
- 🛠️ Comprehensive set of tools and utilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🤔 Steep learning curve and complex interface
- 🗺️ Outdated or incomplete map data in some regions
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes reported
- 💰 Subscription model for advanced features

**Reported bugs**

- Compass not always accurate or consistent
- Freezing or unresponsive issues after updates
- Difficulty syncing waypoints and locations

**Requested features**

- Improved waypoint and location management
- Larger text and UI elements for better readability
- Integration with popular mapping and navigation apps
- Offline elevation data and terrain analysis
- Apple Watch companion app for on-the-go use


### Theodolite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theodolite/id339393884)

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

This app combines a compass, inclinometer, rangefinder, GPS, and map with augmented reality features. Capture photos and videos with overlaid geographical data, and navigate using detailed offline maps. Share locations and collaborate with others for various outdoor and professional uses.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality viewfinder, Compass and inclinometer, GPS and map navigation, Data-overlay photo/video camera, Offline map support, Rangefinder and nav calculator, Coordinate system support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1,000 Outdoors Map Tiles | $0.99 | one-time |
| Team Tracking | $1.99 | one-time |
| World Datum Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| US Mountain Summits AR Layer | $2.99 | one-time |
| 5,000 Outdoors Map Tiles | $4.99 | one-time |
| 10,000 Outdoors Map Tiles | $8.99 | one-time |
| 20,000 Outdoors Map Tiles | $17.99 | one-time |
| US State Plane Coordinates | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spyglass free?

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

### Is Theodolite free?

Theodolite costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Spyglass or Theodolite?

Spyglass is rated higher. Spyglass averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.9K ratings, while Theodolite averages 4.7 from 906 ratings.

### Do Spyglass or Theodolite have ads?

Spyglass shows ads; Theodolite does not.

### Which is updated more often, Spyglass or Theodolite?

Spyglass ships an update every 6 weeks, and Theodolite every 4 months. Most recently, Spyglass was updated on November 10, 2026 and Theodolite on November 10, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Spyglass or Theodolite?

Spyglass currently peaks at #164 in the App Store charts, and Theodolite at #10. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*