Comparison

Altimeter+ vs Pro Compass for Watch

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

Head to head
About

Altimeter+

This app measures your current altitude using GPS, ASTER data, or your device's barometer. It offers an integrated map with peak data, a compass, and distance grids, functioning even without active GPS.

Highlights
  • GPS, ASTER, and barometer altitude measurement
  • Average altitude calculation
  • Integral map with peak indicator
  • Compass and distance grid
  • Apple Watch support
  • Works without active GPS
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The Altimeter+ altimeter calculates the altitude of your current location via a GPS, Aster or barometer measurement (for iPhone 6 and later). In addition to this, the app also provides an average calculation of GPS and ASTER altitude data as well as an integral map which shows peaks, a compass and a distance grid. Features: - Apple Watch support! - Barometer altitude measurement (iPhone 6 and later) - Altimeter with GPS or ASTER measurement - GPS/ASTER average calculation - Unit of measurement - imperial or metric - Integral map with Apple maps and peak indicator, compass and distance grid - Also functions without active GPS Peak data from peakhunter.com

About

Pro Compass for Watch

This app replicates classic pocket compasses with advanced 3D graphics for realistic operation on your wrist. It provides true/magnetic compass modes, sun/moon positions, GPS, altitude, and a waypoint manager with map integration. Customize settings and color schemes for optimal viewing.

Highlights
  • Realistic 3D compass rendering
  • True and magnetic compass modes
  • Sun and moon position tracking
  • GPS location and altitude display
  • Waypoint manager with map view
  • Inclinometer with bubble levels
  • Customizable settings and color schemes
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The legendary iOS compass app is now available for Apple Watch! Pro Compass replicates the look and feel of classic pocket compass hardware in use since the 1800s. The app uses advanced graphics technologies (normally reserved for games) to render 3D floating compass hardware for realistic operation. Pro Compass offers true and magnetic compass modes using a damped rosette-style compass ring. Local sun and moon position are shown on the compass ring and continually updated. Pro Compass also displays location and altitude, and contains a built-in two-axis inclinometer that drives two independent bubble levels and a bullseye level.  New in Pro Compass for Watch version 2 is a map screen and waypoint manager. You can add waypoints on the map or at your current location, and view waypoints on the compass ring to visualize their bearing from your current location. Pro Compass has settings for compass mode (true or magnetic, degrees or mils), distance/altitude units (feet or meters), and position format (decimal degrees, degrees-minutes-seconds, MGRS, USNG, UTM, UTM-B, and Maidenhead Locator System). The app has six color schemes, including two night vision modes - midnight red and luminescent green. Pro Compass for Watch is recommended for Apple Watch Series 5 and later (including Ultra). Apple Watch Series 4 and older do not have a compass sensor and will not show compass data. On older devices, the app uses the device's gyro sensor to measure rotation. You can twist the watch's digital crown to adjust and calibrate the gyro to the sun position, moon position, or a known bearing. Using these references, the "gyro compass" is able to give bearing. The calibration can be repeated as often as desired to give accurate results. Accuracy note: Pro Compass reports accuracy from the magnetometer sensor in your watch. To improve results, operate Pro Compass away from magnets, electronics, or sources of electro-magnetic interference, including car dashboards, aircraft cockpits, metal structures, and other devices. Developer note: like all our apps, we plan to continually improve and evolve Pro Compass for Watch. Please contact us with feature requests, suggestions, and general feedback. We'd love to hear what you're doing with the app!

Screenshots

Altimeter+4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Altimeter+ at free against Pro Compass for Watch's paid. Altimeter+ also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 39%) and rating (4.5 vs 4.1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Altimeter+ costs $1.99 and Pro Compass for Watch $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Altimeter+ holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Altimeter+ has 700 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Altimeter+'s written reviews are positive against 39% of Pro Compass for Watch's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Altimeter+ ships an update every 2 months, Pro Compass for Watch every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Altimeter+ versus Pro Compass for Watch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAltimeter+Pro Compass for Watch
Price$1.99$1.99
Rating4.5 (700 ratings) — better4.1 (19 ratings)
Positive reviews74.9% of reviews — better38.6% of reviews
Number of ratings700 — better19
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#18 — better#42
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS11.1 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSichtwerk AGCraig Hunter

Customer experience

Altimeter+

All ratings700 ratings
Positive89.3%
Neutral4.3%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews247 reviews
Positive74.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative17.4%

Pro Compass for Watch

All ratings19 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral5.3%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive38.6%
Neutral15.9%
Negative45.5%

Bugs and requests

Altimeter+

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes when trying to calibrate or access settings
  • Altimeter readings are inaccurate or inconsistent
  • App not working on certain devices or iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to display altitude in feet or meters
  • Implement automatic calibration using GPS
  • Add complication support for Apple Watch
  • Provide above ground level (AGL) altitude reading

Pro Compass for Watch

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Altimeter+

No in-app purchases

None

Pro Compass for Watch

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Altimeter+ free?
Altimeter+ costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pro Compass for Watch free?
Pro Compass for Watch costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Altimeter+ or Pro Compass for Watch?
Altimeter+ is rated higher. Altimeter+ averages 4.5 out of 5 from 700 ratings, while Pro Compass for Watch averages 4.1 from 19 ratings.
Do Altimeter+ or Pro Compass for Watch have ads?
Neither Altimeter+ nor Pro Compass for Watch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Altimeter+ or Pro Compass for Watch?
Altimeter+ ships an update every 2 months, and Pro Compass for Watch every 3 months. Most recently, Altimeter+ was updated on September 23, 2026 and Pro Compass for Watch on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, Altimeter+ or Pro Compass for Watch?
Altimeter+ currently peaks at #18 in the App Store charts, and Pro Compass for Watch at #42. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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