Comparison

Spyglass vs Pro Compass

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Spyglass

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
Read full description

Spyglass is an essential offline GPS app for outdoors and off-road navigation. Packed with tools it serves as binoculars, heads-up display, hi-tech compass with offline maps, gyrocompass, GPS receiver, waypoint tracker, speedometer, altimeter, Sun, Moon and star finder, gyro horizon, rangefinder, coordinate converter, sextant, inclinometer, angular calculator and camera. It saves your custom places and waypoints, navigates precisely to them later, shows them on maps and using real-time augmented reality displays detailed GPS info, measures distances, sizes, angles, and does a lot more. COMPASS & GYROCOMPASS Accuracy improvement techniques, special compass modes and calibration methods available in Spyglass only make it a real instrument – the most advanced and accurate digital compass. FINDER, TRACKER & AR NAVIGATION Spyglass operates in 3D and uses augmented reality to show real-time object positions, info and directions to them overlaid over camera or maps. Save current position, add points from maps, manually enter location coordinates and bearings, add stars by hand or use a built-in star catalogue. Find saved places and objects later simply by following directional arrows. Spyglass tracks multiple targets simultaneously and shows their info – distance, direction, azimuth, elevation and estimated time of arrival. Copy, paste and share locations, coordinates and map links using many supported formats. GPS, SPEEDOMETER & ALTIMETER Find and track your location and get detailed real-time GPS data – coordinates in dozens of formats, altitude, course, current, maximum and vertical speed, using imperial, metric, nautical and surveying units. OFFLINE MAPS See your and targets’ positions on maps using different map styles and alternative map providers – plan waypoints and measure distances. Offline maps optimized for retina displays are available for download. TRACK STARS, SUN AND MOON & NAVIGATE BY STARS Track positions of stars, Sun and Moon with arc second precision – use them as a reference to calibrate compass for maximum accuracy. OPTICAL RANGEFINDER Measure distances to objects in real time with a rangefinder reticle similar to sniper sights. SEXTANT, ANGULAR CALCULATOR AND INCLINOMETER Find out heights of objects and distances to them – measure visually and calculate dimensions and distances. CAMERA Take pictures overlaid with all available GPS, positional and directional data. DEMO & HELP Videos: http://j.mp/spyglass_vids Manuals: http://j.mp/spyglass_help If you need specific map sources for hiking, cycling, skiing and many more outdoor activities, feel free to enjoy Spyglass PLUS. At confirmation of the Spyglass PLUS purchase, payment will be charged to your iTunes account, and it will be charged for renewal within 24-hours before the end of the current period. Automatic renewal can be turned off at any time in your Account Settings after purchase. After the cancellation of the renewal, Spyglass Plus will expire at the end of the current period. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us at https://spyglassnav.com Privacy Policy: https://www.unblip.com/tmp/privacy_and_terms/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://www.unblip.com/tmp/privacy_and_terms/terms.html

About

Pro Compass

This app offers a realistic pocket compass experience with modern features like MGRS, sun/moon tracking, and GPS coordinates. It provides multiple display styles and advanced measurement tools for various applications.

Highlights
  • Realistic 3D floating compass hardware
  • Nine compass display modes
  • Magnetic and true direction display
  • Sun and Moon position tracking
  • MGRS, UTM, and GPS coordinate formats
  • Two-axis inclinometer with bubble levels
  • Support for over 230 geodetic datums
Currently charting
Read full description

Pro Compass replicates the look and feel of classic pocket compass hardware in use since the 1800s, adding modern features and technologies. The app uses advanced OpenGL graphics (normally reserved for games) to render 3D floating compass hardware for realistic operation. Pro Compass offers nine different compass modes with direct read, traditional, and rosette styles capable of displaying degrees, quads, or mils (the direct read mode shows a North-South needle and reversed East-West convention). In all display modes, Pro Compass shows both magnetic and true direction simultaneously, with a rotating outer true ring that is automatically adjusted for local magnetic declination. Sun and Moon position are marked on the compass rings and continually updated. Pro Compass displays location and altitude, with decimal, degree-minute-second, UTM, and MGRS position formats. An optional "Datum Pack" adds over 230 geodetic datums covering regions and countries on all continents around the world. The app also contains a built in two-axis inclinometer that drives two independent bubble levels and a bullseye level. The inclinometer has angle readout dials for each axis, making it useful for many different types of measurements including slopes, pitches, sight lines, and geological angles like dip and strike. After using Pro Compass, you'll see why it's the best and most realistic compass available on the App Store! Also be sure to check out the new Pro Compass for Watch, available for all Apple Watch models running watchOS 6 or later. ***** IMPORTANT ACCURACY NOTE ***** Pro Compass reports accuracy directly from the magnetometer sensor in your device. This accuracy is determined by the hardware, not the application itself. To improve results, operate Pro Compass away from any electronics or other sources of electro-magnetic interference, including car dashboards, aircraft cockpits, metal structures, and other devices. Please contact the developer via the support link if you need additional information about accuracy or operation of Pro Compass.

Screenshots

Spyglass4 screens
Pro Compass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Spyglass at Free against Pro Compass's $1.99. Spyglass also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 6 months). Pro Compass's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (11.4 vs 13.4). On review sentiment, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Spyglass is free to download; Pro Compass costs $1.99 up front. Spyglass sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Pro Compass sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spyglass holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spyglass has 3.9K ratings behind it against 73, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Spyglass's written reviews are positive against 72% of Pro Compass's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spyglass ships an update every 6 weeks, Pro Compass every 6 months. Both last shipped on October 22, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Spyglass versus Pro Compass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpyglassPro Compass
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.7 (3.9K ratings) — better4.3 (73 ratings)
Positive reviews80.2% of reviews — better72.3% of reviews
Number of ratings3.9K — better73
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 6 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#147#54 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.411.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPavel AhafonauCraig Hunter

Customer experience

Spyglass

All ratings3,864 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral3.0%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews435 reviews
Positive80.2%
Neutral4.1%
Negative15.6%

Pro Compass

All ratings73 ratings
Positive83.6%
Neutral4.1%
Negative12.3%
Written reviews101 reviews
Positive72.3%
Neutral8.9%
Negative18.8%

User reviews

Spyglass

From 3.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🗺️ 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

Room to improve

  • 🔋 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

Pro Compass

From 73 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎯 Displays both true and magnetic north simultaneously
  • 📍 Accurate GPS location and coordinate display
  • 🔧 Multiple coordinate format options (MGRS, UTM, DMS)
  • 📊 Professional-grade precision instrument
  • 🎨 Clean, intuitive interface design

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent compass accuracy across locations
  • ❌ True north often displays as 'NA' without explanation
  • 📍 GPS location detection frequently incorrect (places users in wrong continent)
  • ⚠️ Large margin of error (15-35 degrees reported)
  • 🔄 Compass needle wavers and appears unstable

Bugs and requests

Spyglass

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

Pro Compass

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • GPS location places users in wrong geographic areas
  • True north display shows 'NA' without troubleshooting guidance
  • Compass heading inconsistent on same fixed location
  • Map loading takes excessive time
  • Inclinometer calibration stuck in progress loop
Show 3 more
  • Compass appears frozen in some instances
  • Magnetic declination not automatically adjusting for location
  • East/West orientation reversed in some configurations

Requested features

15 requests
  • Watch app integration with data sharing
  • Manual compass calibration/adjustment feature
  • Red backlight option for astronomers
  • Topographic map overlay
  • Bearing input and route planning capabilities
Show 10 more
  • Ability to remove bubble levels from display
  • Native iPad optimization and larger graphics
  • DM.mm coordinate format option
  • Pointer color customization (red/green needle)
  • GMT/time display integration
  • Map orientation by direction of travel
  • Coordinate spacing for easier plotting
  • UK Ordnance Survey coordinate support
  • Device-specific bias compensation
  • Automatic magnetic declination database by location

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Spyglass

Subscriptions3
  • Spyglass Plus$3.991 Month
  • Spyglass Plus (Month)3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Spyglass Plus (Year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Spyglass Pro (Lifetime)$39.99
1 purchases

Pro Compass

One-time1
  • Datum Pack$2.99

Questions

Is Spyglass free?
Spyglass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pro Compass free?
Pro Compass costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Spyglass or Pro Compass?
Spyglass is rated higher. Spyglass averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.9K ratings, while Pro Compass averages 4.3 from 73 ratings.
Do Spyglass or Pro Compass have ads?
Spyglass shows ads; Pro Compass does not.
Which is updated more often, Spyglass or Pro Compass?
Spyglass ships an update every 6 weeks, and Pro Compass every 6 months. Most recently, Spyglass was updated on October 22, 2026 and Pro Compass on October 22, 2026.
Which is more popular, Spyglass or Pro Compass?
Spyglass currently peaks at #147 in the App Store charts, and Pro Compass at #54. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons