# Compass vs Compass Maps

The clearest difference is rating: Compass Maps at 4.6 against Compass's 4.1. Compass Maps also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 41 months) and ratings volume (656 vs 182). Compass's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (73% vs 56%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Compass Maps sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year. Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.

Compass Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 182 and 656 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Compass's written reviews are positive against 56% of Compass Maps's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Compass ships an update every 41 months, Compass Maps every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Compass | Compass Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (182 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass/id546228063/reviews) | **[4.6 (656 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-maps-digital-compass/id6451059416/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 182 | **656** |
| Positive reviews | **72.5% of reviews** | 55.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 41 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Horizon Business, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/431586531) | [KIET NGUYEN TAN](https://appshunter.io/developer/1696408238) |

## What reviewers say

### Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass/id546228063)

This application displays your current direction and heading in a large, easy-to-read format. Customize the look by selecting your preferred background and arrow style to suit your needs.

**Highlights:** Large format display, Direction and heading indicator, Selectable background, Selectable arrow style

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Compass Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-maps-digital-compass/id6451059416)

Navigate with a digital compass that displays direction on a map. Features include real-time traffic, land area measurement, and location sharing. It utilizes GPS for auto-direction and allows map interaction.

**Highlights:** Digital compass on map, Real-time traffic maps, Land area measurement, Location sharing, GPS auto-direction, Satellite map mode

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads (Yearly) | $7.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads – Lifetime | $12.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Compass free?

Compass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Compass Maps free?

Compass Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Compass or Compass Maps?

Compass Maps is rated higher. Compass averages 4.1 out of 5 from 182 ratings, while Compass Maps averages 4.6 from 656 ratings.

### Do Compass or Compass Maps have ads?

Neither Compass nor Compass Maps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Compass or Compass Maps?

Compass ships an update every 41 months, and Compass Maps every 4 weeks. Most recently, Compass was updated on September 23, 2026 and Compass Maps on September 26, 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.*