# PV Master vs PV Optimizer & Solar compass

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PV Optimizer & Solar compass at 54% against PV Master's 17%. PV Optimizer & Solar compass also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (247 vs 23). PV Master's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PV Master sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and PV Optimizer & Solar compass sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PV Optimizer & Solar compass holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PV Optimizer & Solar compass has 247 ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of PV Master's written reviews are positive against 54% of PV Optimizer & Solar compass's.

PV Master ships an update every 8 days, PV Optimizer & Solar compass every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PV Master | PV Optimizer & Solar compass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pv-master-solar-panel-system/id396636193/reviews) | **[4.5 (247 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pv-optimizer-and-solar-compass/id971828374/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 23 | **247** |
| Positive reviews | 17.1% of reviews | **53.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 25 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **14.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BigBalli Consulting llc](https://appshunter.io/developer/363765325) | [Joao Caetano](https://appshunter.io/developer/828553753) |

## What reviewers say

### PV Master

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pv-master-solar-panel-system/id396636193)

This app helps you harness solar energy by providing accurate solar data, weather integration, and tools to optimize your solar panel setup. It offers comprehensive calculators for energy needs, panel requirements, and battery storage, along with guides and a glossary for informed decisions.

**Highlights:** Accurate solar data based on location, Weather data integration, Solar potential insights, Panel positioning tool, Comprehensive energy calculators, Guides, FAQs, and glossary

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Unlock | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Location Solar Panel Data | $0.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |


### PV Optimizer & Solar compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pv-optimizer-and-solar-compass/id971828374)

Maximize your solar panel output with this tool. It guides you to adjust your panels' azimuth and tilt based on real-time solar data. The app also provides a solar compass and forecasts your potential monthly energy generation.

**Highlights:** Solar panel output maximization, Azimuth and tilt adjustment guidance, Real-time solar compass, Solar panel output forecast, Adjustable time frames for optimization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove ads | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works well once figured out
- 👍 Simple, reliable, practical
- 👍 Useful for PV panel inclination
- 👍 Great for RV and overland solar
- 👍 Awesome for maximizing solar power

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No instructions provided
- 🐛 Ads are annoying
- 🐛 Pop-up ads prevent use
- 🐛 Gyroscope not working
- 🐛 PV alignment not working

**Reported bugs**

- Guide feature doesn't show on opening page
- Pop-up ads do not close
- Error: iPhone gyroscope off
- Error: Downloading relevant data
- Graph scale breaks down for yearly output

**Requested features**

- More guidance and clarity
- Option for shorter time periods (day/week)
- Adjustment for time settings (night alignment)
- Loss calculation for incorrect orientation
- Option to reverse phone orientation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PV Master free?

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

### Is PV Optimizer & Solar compass free?

PV Optimizer & Solar compass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PV Master or PV Optimizer & Solar compass?

PV Optimizer & Solar compass is rated higher. PV Master averages 4.3 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while PV Optimizer & Solar compass averages 4.5 from 247 ratings.

### Do PV Master or PV Optimizer & Solar compass have ads?

Neither PV Master nor PV Optimizer & Solar compass shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PV Master or PV Optimizer & Solar compass?

PV Master ships an update every 8 days, and PV Optimizer & Solar compass every 2 months. Most recently, PV Master was updated on October 16, 2026 and PV Optimizer & Solar compass on October 13, 2026.

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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.*