Comparison

Compass XL vs Traffic Maps

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

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Traffic Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard10 real differences · 0 level
Compass XL versus Traffic Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCompass XLTraffic Maps
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.7 (6.5K ratings)
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews66.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings16.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.4
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPiet JonasLittle Mouse Software

Customer experience

Compass XL

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Traffic Maps

All ratings6,442 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral4.0%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive66.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative27.9%

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

None

Compass XL

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

Traffic Maps

Subscriptions4
  • Navigation$1.991 Month
  • Traffic Maps Pro$2.991 Month
  • Navigation7 Days trial$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Traffic Maps Pro$14.991 Year
One-time4
  • Version ProFree
  • Version Pro$4.99
  • Motivating donation$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Inspiring donation$9.99

Questions

Is Compass XL free?
Compass XL costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Traffic Maps free?
Traffic Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Compass XL or Traffic Maps?
Compass XL is rated higher. Compass XL averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Traffic Maps averages 4.7 from 6.5K ratings.
Do Compass XL or Traffic Maps have ads?
Traffic Maps shows ads; Compass XL does not.
Which is updated more often, Compass XL or Traffic Maps?
Compass XL ships an update every 15 months, and Traffic Maps monthly. Most recently, Compass XL was updated on November 1, 2026 and Traffic Maps on November 6, 2026.

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