Comparison

Crowsflight vs Offline GPS Navigation

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

Head to head
About

Crowsflight

This app offers intuitive, mapless navigation using GPS and a compass. It displays distance and heading, allowing you to drop markers, search for destinations by address or what3words, and view saved locations on a map. It works offline for navigation and supports iCloud sync.

Highlights
  • Mapless GPS navigation
  • Heading pointer
  • Drop location markers
  • Search by address or what3words
  • Offline navigation
  • iCloud location sync
  • Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

Crowsflight is a GPS compass that simply points. No instructions, maps to read or paths to follow. When we ask for directions on the street, a friendly finger pointing towards the destination is often more than enough. By combining location data (GPS) with the compass, Crowsflight provides mapless navigation in an intuitive, glance-at-it kind of way. It uses only GPS to navigate, so once you’ve loaded your destination/s, you don’t need a data connection to navigate. Crowsflight is perfect for wandering around foreign cities. MAIN VIEW -Displays distance in metric or imperial units -Drop a marker at your current position (if you have a data connection, Crowsflight will attempt to autoname your location) -Heading pointer changes width as the compass/GPS accuracy increases or decreases LIST VIEW -Search for a new destination by address or placename -Input latitude and longitude manually (e.g. open search, enter 40.692,-73.944) -search for what3words (offline) -Location list view shows your relative distance to each location, so you can see how places compare (distances are scaled logarithmically, so shorter distances show greater difference) -Rearrange your location list by long-pressing the row -Share your current location via email -Launch Maps to get turn-by-turn directions MAP VIEW -Map view shows and allows you to select all your saved locations. It’s another way to see what is around you. -Drag and drop pins in map view to pinpoint and adjust locations -Longpress in map view to save a new location on your map. (if you have a data connection, Crowsflight will attempt to autoname your location) OTHER FEATURES -Works offline (searching is the only function that requires an internet connection) -Opens custom url schemes (e.g. crowsflight://&ll=42.923580,-78.793953&q=BUFFALO). You can send Crowsflight destinations to yourself and friends via email. To get the browser bookmarklet for easy sharing, go to http://cwandt.com/#crowsflight -Backup your locations to your computer through iTunes file sharing -save and sync locations to iCloud APPLE WATCH - same pointing interface as iPhone app - swipe to select from locations that you've add on your phone. -pro tip: If your running app keeps taking over as frontmost app, you can double press the crown to switch back to the last app. *Crowsflight is not meant for driving. Most cars have too much magnetic interference to show the compass reliably in the car anyways. You probably want turn by turn directions if you’re driving, but just in case you were thinking about it...we don’t recommend it.

About

Offline GPS Navigation

This app helps you navigate and find your way back, even without an internet connection. Easily bookmark locations like your parked car or hiking trails, and receive precise directional guidance to return. Sync your saved spots across devices for seamless access.

Highlights
  • Walking directions
  • Navigational bookmarks
  • Parked car locator
  • Offline navigation
  • Sync across devices
  • Directional guidance
Features
Read full description

Best New Navigation Apps — Apple “It’s the compass reinvented with walking directions, navigational bookmarks, and a simple parked-car locator, all in a friendly design.” — App Store Editor’s Note --- Never get lost again. GPS Navigation Offline is your all-in-one offline GPS, compass, and navigation app for hiking, travel, parking, and everyday navigation, no internet required*. Whether you're exploring the outdoors, visiting a new city, or trying to find your parked car, this powerful GPS navigation app keeps you on track with precise direction and distance guidance. --- What You Can Do • Find Your Way Back Anywhere, Even Offline No signal? No problem. Navigate confidently in remote areas, mountains, forests, or abroad without internet access. • Instantly Locate Your Parked Car Save your parking spot in one tap and return to it easily, no more wandering through crowded parking lots. • Always Know Your Direction Use a precise digital compass with real-time distance and direction to guide you back to saved locations. • Save Important Places in Seconds Bookmark trails, parking spots, or favorite locations and access them anytime. • Track Your Distance in Real Time See exactly how far you are from your destination so you stay in control of your journey. • Access Your Locations on All Devices Your saved places sync across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, ready whenever you need them. --- Perfect For • Hiking & outdoor adventures • Travel & city exploration • Parking & car locator • Cycling & walking navigation • Offline navigation anywhere --- Why Users Love GPS Navigation Offline “Saved me while hiking super accurate and easy to use!” — Bjverano “The best GPS compass app for off-roading and hiking.” — Jimbo6765 “Perfect for tracking my parking spot and navigating hikes.” — S N Khan --- Simple. Reliable. Offline. Turn your iPhone into a powerful GPS navigator and compass tool. With offline navigation, accurate location tracking, and an intuitive design, you’ll always find your way back anytime, anywhere. A Simple Alternative to Complex Navigation Apps Looking for a lightweight alternative to apps like Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps? GPS Navigation Offline focuses on what matters most: offline navigation, compass direction, and location saving, without clutter, distractions, or the need for a constant internet connection. Perfect when you don’t need traffic updates or complex routing, just a reliable way to find your way back, track locations, and stay oriented anywhere. --- * Park Car feature works best in open parking areas due to GPS limitations. Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://pleeq.com/anchor-pointer/privacy-policy.html

Screenshots

Crowsflight4 screens
Offline GPS Navigation4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Crowsflight at none against Offline GPS Navigation's 2. Crowsflight also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.6). Offline GPS Navigation's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (2.9K vs 33). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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

Both are free to download. Offline GPS Navigation sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Crowsflight asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Crowsflight against 4.6 for Offline GPS Navigation. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Offline GPS Navigation has 2.9K ratings behind it against 33, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 72% of Crowsflight's written reviews are positive against 78% of Offline GPS Navigation's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Crowsflight ships an update every 3 months, Offline GPS Navigation every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Crowsflight versus Offline GPS Navigation: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCrowsflightOffline GPS Navigation
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (33 ratings)4.6 (2.9K ratings)
Positive reviews72.2% of reviews77.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings332.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCW&TAlexander Deplov

Customer experience

Crowsflight

All ratings33 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews115 reviews
Positive72.2%
Neutral12.2%
Negative15.7%

Offline GPS Navigation

All ratings2,927 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral4.2%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews290 reviews
Positive77.6%
Neutral5.2%
Negative17.2%

User reviews

Crowsflight

From 33 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple, intuitive interface design
  • 🧭 Accurate directional compass pointing to destinations
  • 📍 Offline functionality without requiring data/WiFi
  • 🚶 Excellent for walking and urban exploration
  • 💡 Innovative concept - shows direction and distance instead of turn-by-turn

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compass calibration issues and inaccurate readings
  • 🔍 Search function returns incorrect or distant locations
  • 📱 Small font sizes difficult to read
  • 🎯 Inconsistent location accuracy
  • ⚠️ Persistent warning messages that can't be dismissed

Offline GPS Navigation

From 2.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 🚀 Accurate and reliable
  • 📍 Useful for finding parked cars and locations
  • 🗺️ Helpful for hiking, traveling, and exploring new areas
  • 💻 Works well without internet connection

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription model is too expensive for some users
  • 🔒 Lifetime users not grandfathered in after switch to subscription
  • 🐛 Occasional issues with accuracy and pointing in the wrong direction
  • 📱 Doesn't work well with magnetic cases or in cars

Bugs and requests

Crowsflight

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Compass won't calibrate properly
  • Directional readings off by 90+ degrees
  • App freezes at instruction screen
  • App opens spontaneously after unlocking phone
  • Search function returns locations in wrong countries
Show 8 more
  • What3Words integration no longer works
  • Location name disappears when tapped, preventing copy/paste
  • Pop-up info bubbles won't disappear and block navigation
  • App thinks user is in wrong location (e.g., New York when elsewhere)
  • Distance calculations wildly inaccurate (e.g., 1.26 miles when at saved location)
  • Yellow compass arc doesn't move/respond
  • Search buttons disappear from bottom of screen
  • App stopped tracking after updates

Requested features

18 requests
  • Apple Watch support
  • Gyroscope-based active pointer for hands-free navigation
  • Metric kilometers display option
  • Ability to organize locations into groups/categories
  • GPS-based accuracy instead of compass-only
Show 13 more
  • Larger, configurable font sizes
  • Dark mode or color theme options
  • Help/tutorial menu for new users
  • Elevation information for destinations
  • LED light option for night navigation
  • Search by intersection (e.g., 6th Ave & 3rd St)
  • Sort search results by proximity
  • SMS sharing of locations in addition to email
  • Integration with What3Words addresses
  • Multiple location list organization
  • Ability to enter GPS coordinates in DMS format
  • Alias/naming system for GPS coordinates
  • Train transit option in addition to walk/bike/car/plane

Offline GPS Navigation

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashes or becomes unusable when signal is weak
  • Saved anchors sometimes get lost or disappear

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to switch between GPS heading and magnetic heading
  • Improve integration with mapping apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps
  • Allow importing/exporting of saved locations
  • Add more customization options for anchors (icons, colors, notes, etc.)

In-app purchases

None

Crowsflight

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Offline GPS Navigation

Subscriptions2
  • Full Access Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Full Access Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Crowsflight free?
Crowsflight is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Offline GPS Navigation free?
Offline GPS Navigation is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Crowsflight or Offline GPS Navigation?
Crowsflight and Offline GPS Navigation are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 33 and 2.9K ratings respectively.
Do Crowsflight or Offline GPS Navigation have ads?
Neither Crowsflight nor Offline GPS Navigation shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Crowsflight or Offline GPS Navigation?
Crowsflight ships an update every 3 months, and Offline GPS Navigation every 2 weeks. Most recently, Crowsflight was updated on October 8, 2026 and Offline GPS Navigation on October 13, 2026.

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