Compass XL vs Traffic Maps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Compass XL
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.
- Magnetic compass functionality
- Sun compass for direction finding
- Suitable for outdoor activities
- Works on iPad devices
- No magnetic anomaly interference with sun compass
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This application adds the missing compass to the iPad. It either uses the built in magnetic compass (if available) or provides a sun compass (You just have to see the sun and know the time to determine the north direction). Use it for all your outdoor activities whether it's hiking, biking or for a boy scout camp. The sun compass is not affected by magnetic anomalies.
Traffic Maps
This app offers a dual-map view for real-time traffic monitoring, allowing you to see both your immediate surroundings and distant traffic conditions simultaneously. It provides turn-by-turn navigation, route planning, and trip recording, with optional CarPlay and Apple Watch integration.
- Dual-map live traffic view
- Customizable map zoom and size
- Turn-by-turn navigation with lane guidance
- Route planning with intermediate destinations
- Trip recording and playback
- CarPlay and Apple Watch integration
- Shortcuts automation
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See the traffic around you and ahead of you at the same time with two maps with live traffic, each with its own zoom level. Traffic Maps is designed to give you a quick view of traffic conditions while driving. Keep one map zoomed in on your surroundings and the other zoomed out to see traffic conditions further ahead. See that your usual highway exit is congested? Spot a traffic jam ahead? If you know the area, a quick glance may be all you need to choose a better route. TWO MAPS, ONE TRAFFIC VIEW - Follow your position on two maps simultaneously - Set a different zoom level for each map - Adjust the relative size of the maps, or use a single map - Choose between north-up and driving-direction views - Customize how the maps follow and center on your position - Your preferred map configuration is remembered for the next drive NAVIGATION AND CARPLAY Go beyond traffic monitoring with a complete set of driving and navigation features: - CARPLAY Use the dual-map live traffic view directly in CarPlay and navigate with turn-by-turn directions and lane guidance. Navigation information can also appear in the instrument cluster on compatible vehicles. - TURN-BY-TURN NAVIGATION Navigate on iPhone and CarPlay with clear driving instructions, lane guidance, speed limits and live traffic information. - PLAN AND PREVIEW ROUTES Create routes with intermediate destinations before you leave. Preview the route together with speed limits along the way. - RECORD YOUR TRIPS Record your journeys whether you are navigating or simply driving, and review your route and your speed throughout the journey. - APPLE WATCH Follow navigation instructions from your wrist, including upcoming manoeuvres and lane guidance. - SHORTCUTS AUTOMATION Use the app with Shortcuts to automate your driving routines. Open the app in CarPlay, start routes and automate other actions. - NO ADS Use all the available screen space for useful traffic and driving information without advertising interruptions. Traffic Maps can be used for free to view live traffic on two maps that follow your position as you drive. Traffic Maps Pro is available as an optional subscription and unlocks navigation, CarPlay, route planning and recording, Apple Watch integration, advanced Shortcuts support and an ad-free experience. Whether you already know the roads and simply want a better view of the traffic, or you need turn-by-turn navigation to your destination, Traffic Maps gives you the information you need while you drive. Continued use of GPS running in the background can significantly reduce battery life. Terms and Conditions: http://www.littlemousesoftware.com/terms-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.littlemousesoftware.com/traffic-maps-privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Traffic Maps at 66% against Compass XL's 0%. Traffic Maps also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (monthly vs every 15 months). Compass XL's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and ads (none vs shown).
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Traffic Maps is free to download; Compass XL costs $0.99 up front. Traffic Maps sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Compass XL asks for nothing beyond the download.
Compass XL holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Traffic Maps has 6.5K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of Compass XL's written reviews are positive against 66% of Traffic Maps's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Compass XL ships an update every 15 months, Traffic Maps monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Compass XL | Traffic Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.7 (6.5K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 66.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 6.5K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 15 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Piet Jonas | Little Mouse Software |
Customer experience
Compass XL
Traffic Maps
Bugs and requests
Compass XL
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Traffic Maps
Reported bugs
2 issues- Frequently moves map without prompting
- Slow and inaccurate traffic information
Requested features
3 requests- Widgets for real-time traffic
- Option to disable automatic recenter
- Ability to view local traffic only
In-app purchases
Compass XL
No in-app purchases
Traffic Maps
- Navigation$1.991 Month
- Traffic Maps Pro$2.991 Month
- Navigation7 Days trial$9.991 Year
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Traffic Maps Pro$14.991 Year
- Version ProFree
- Version Pro$4.99
- Motivating donation$4.99
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Inspiring donation$9.99
Questions
Is Compass XL free?
Is Traffic Maps free?
Which has better reviews, Compass XL or Traffic Maps?
Do Compass XL or Traffic Maps have ads?
Which is updated more often, Compass XL or Traffic Maps?
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