Comparison

GB Grid Ref Compass vs Float

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

Head to head
About

GB Grid Ref Compass

This app displays your current location on a map of Great Britain, providing your GB Grid Reference, compass bearing, and latitude/longitude. It also shows GPS accuracy and includes a guide to the National Grid system. Location data can be shared via text, email, or tweet.

Highlights
  • GB Grid Reference (Ordnance Survey)
  • Compass Bearing
  • Latitude and Longitude (OSGB36 & WGS84)
  • GPS Accuracy Display
  • National Grid graphical guide
  • Location sharing (SMS, Email, Tweet)
Features
Read full description

Find out your current location on a GB Map, whilst in Great Britain. This app will give you your GB Grid Ref (Ordnance Survey / OS Grid Reference), along with a Compass Bearing and Latitude and Longitude values in both OSGB36 and WGS84 formats. The accuracy of the Device GPS signal will also be shown. Includes a handy graphical guide to the "National Grid" system. Whilst the app will work worldwide, the values given will only be of use within the United Kingdom. Ideal for use on walks. Always carry a map and physical compass in addition to your iPhone. For the best accuracy, use in an open space, away from trees or hill edges. Like a traditional compass, use with the phone in a flat position, not upright. When continued usage is required, you can set the iPhone Screen to stay on indefinitely, from the Settings tab. Send or Share your location information in a Text Message (or iMessage), Email or Tweet* This app requires Location Services to be enabled in your iPhone, and you must grant permission to the app to use these. Compatible with iPhone. Not compatible with iPod Touch, or (non-cellular) iPads, due to the lack of GPS and Compass hardware. * - Internet Connection, and correctly configured Text Message (or iMessage), Email and / or Twitter settings, required to fulfil. -- A sister app is now available for use in Ireland. Please search for Irish Grid Ref Compass.

About

Float

Log your canal and river journeys with this open-source app. Track mooring locations, calculate miles traveled, and record your stops throughout the year. All data is securely saved and can be exported for proof of your travels.

Highlights
  • Track mooring locations
  • Log journey stops
  • Calculate miles covered
  • Set current location as Home
  • Secure data saving
  • Export travel data
Features
Read full description

Float is a free, open-source app for canal boaters. Track every mooring along your journey, see exactly how long you've been at your current spot, get notified before the 14-day CRT limit runs out, and keep an eye on waterway closures ahead. Built with continuous cruisers in mind. What you can do with Float • See where you are and how long you've been there. The 14-day tracker shows days remaining at a glance — green when you have time, amber as you approach the limit, red when it's time to move. • Get reminders before time runs out. Push notifications arrive 4, 2, 1, and 0 days before the 14-day deadline so you can plan your move calmly instead of in a rush. • Log every mooring along the way. Each stop captures the date, GPS coordinates, name, and any notes you want to add — your full journey, on a map. • Set a home mooring you can always navigate back to. • Review your travels. Total miles covered, number of stops, and date ranges — useful as evidence of continuous cruising for CRT compliance. • Use the map. Every mooring you've logged appears on the map, with dark mode for late-night planning. • See waterway closures ahead. The Notices tab pulls CRT stoppages, restrictions and advisories directly into the app — filter to what's near you, on a live map, updated hourly. Privacy • Your data is yours. Float stores your moorings in your own private account — no one else can see them. • No ads. No tracking. No selling your location to anyone. • Open source. Every line of code is public on GitHub. Built by boaters, for boaters.

Screenshots

GB Grid Ref Compass3 screens
Float3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Float at Free against GB Grid Ref Compass's $0.99. Float also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 6 months). GB Grid Ref Compass's advantage is iOS requirement (7.1 vs 17.0). On review sentiment, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Float is free to download; GB Grid Ref Compass costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GB Grid Ref Compass ships an update every 6 months, Float monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
GB Grid Ref Compass versus Float: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGB Grid Ref CompassFloat
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.8% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS7.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMike IrvingALESSANDRO BORELLI

Customer experience

GB Grid Ref Compass

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive78.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative17.3%

Float

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

GB Grid Ref Compass

No in-app purchases

None

Float

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GB Grid Ref Compass free?
GB Grid Ref Compass costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Float free?
Float is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do GB Grid Ref Compass or Float have ads?
Neither GB Grid Ref Compass nor Float shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GB Grid Ref Compass or Float?
GB Grid Ref Compass ships an update every 6 months, and Float monthly. Most recently, GB Grid Ref Compass was updated on October 15, 2026 and Float on October 1, 2026.

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