# Spyglass vs Pro Compass

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Spyglass | Pro Compass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spyglass/id332639548/reviews)** | [4.3 (73 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pro-compass/id517739197/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.9K** | 73 |
| Positive reviews | **80.2% of reviews** | 72.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #139 | **#60** |
| Size | 66 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 | **11.4** |
| 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:** #139 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


### Pro Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pro-compass/id517739197)

**Currently charting:** #60 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Datum Pack | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎯 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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 #139 in the App Store charts, and Pro Compass at #60. 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.*