Comparison

Compass × vs MagVar

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

Head to head
About

Compass ×

This app offers a beautifully designed compass experience for your iPhone or iPad. It provides precise GPS coordinates, altitude, sunrise/sunset times, and barometric pressure. Easily share your location and choose between magnetic or true north.

Highlights
  • Precise GPS coordinates
  • Altitude measurement
  • Sunrise and sunset times
  • Barometric pressure readings
  • Multiple coordinate formats
  • Coordinates sharing
  • Magnetic and true north
Features
Read full description

Discover a sophisticated alternative to the default compass on your iPhone or fill the void of a missing compass on your iPad with our meticulously crafted application. Immerse yourself in a seamlessly designed compass experience that combines functionality with aesthetics. Enhance your navigation capabilities with a range of comprehensive features, all conveniently accessible in one app. Download now and elevate your navigation to new heights. Key Features: • Precise GPS coordinates • Altitude measured in feet or meters • Accurate sunrise and sunset times • Real-time barometric pressure readings • Versatile DMS, DDM, and DD coordinates formats • Effortless coordinates sharing functionality • Distinct magnetic and geodetic/true north indications • Elegant and user-friendly design Unlock the full potential of our app by removing ads, ensuring an uninterrupted and immersive experience.

About

MagVar

This navigation tool calculates magnetic variation, the difference between true and magnetic north, essential for plotting courses on maps. It's designed for pilots, sailors, cartographers, and anyone using maps and a compass.

Highlights
  • Magnetic variation calculation
  • True vs. magnetic north difference
  • Map overlay display
  • Accurate for 2025-2029
  • Declination and inclination calculation
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

MagVar is targeted towards anyone interested in navigation. This includes, pilots of aircraft, captains of sea going vessels, cartographers, engineers and surveyors. Anyone who uses maps and a compass will find the declination calculation (also referred to magnetic variation) very useful. (Declination is the difference between true and magnetic north and used when plotting a course on a map.) MagVar calculates the magnetic flux density for any location on the Earth and then uses this data to calculate magnetic variation. The model is accurate for dates ranging from January 1, 2025 up through December 31, 2029. Using the model, the app calculates declination and inclination. As the user pans the map, the magnetic variation is calculated and graphically shown as a map overlay.

Screenshots

Compass ×1 screens
MagVar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MagVar at 100% against Compass ×'s 47%. MagVar also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). Compass ×'s advantage is price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 23 months). On device support 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

Compass × is free to download; MagVar costs $0.99 up front. Compass × sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. MagVar asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MagVar holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass × has 8.3K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Compass ×'s written reviews are positive against 100% of MagVar's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Compass × ships an update every 4 months, MagVar every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard10 real differences · 1 level
Compass × versus MagVar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCompass ×MagVar
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.6 (8.3K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8.3K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 23 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#189 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDOUBLE U s.r.o.Robert Walker

Customer experience

Compass ×

All ratings8,290 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral3.9%
Negative6.6%
Written reviews256 reviews
Positive46.9%
Neutral5.9%
Negative47.3%

MagVar

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Compass ×

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Compass not working on certain devices
  • Elevation/GPS data inaccuracies
  • Freezing or crashing issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • True north option
  • Customizable display
  • Improved calibration process

MagVar

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Compass ×

One-time3
  • Remove Ads$6.99
  • Remove Ads$9.99
  • Remove Ads$14.99
None

MagVar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Compass × free?
Compass × is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MagVar free?
MagVar costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Compass × or MagVar?
MagVar is rated higher. Compass × averages 4.6 out of 5 from 8.3K ratings, while MagVar averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Compass × or MagVar have ads?
Compass × shows ads; MagVar does not.
Which is updated more often, Compass × or MagVar?
Compass × ships an update every 4 months, and MagVar every 23 months. Most recently, Compass × was updated on October 29, 2026 and MagVar on October 25, 2026.

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