Comparison

Compass vs Compass XL

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

Head to head
About

Compass

This navigation tool uses your device's gyroscope for enhanced accuracy. Simply point your device at an object and tap the screen to freeze the compass bearing. It's useful for travel and outdoor activities.

Highlights
  • Gyroscope enhanced accuracy
  • HD Retina display
  • Universal App support
  • Tap to freeze compass
  • Read compass bearing
Read full description

Compass-PRO Features - Gyroscope enhanced - HD Retina display - Universal App How to use: - Use your iPhone/iPad side to aim at any object. - Tap anywhere on screen to freeze compass. - Read compass bearing. You can also use it while traveling or at your favorites sports.

About

Compass XL

This app provides a large, clear compass display for easy navigation in any environment. It offers multiple styles, North modes, and location-based place names, with offline functionality. An optional Pro upgrade unlocks ad removal, bearing lock, and specialized display modes.

Highlights
  • Large, clear compass display
  • True North and Magnetic North modes
  • Location-based place names
  • Offline functionality
  • Bearing Lock (Pro)
  • Night Vision Mode (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Know exactly where you are. Know exactly where you are heading. Compass XL gives you a large, precise compass designed for clarity and confidence in any environment. Your phone has a compass, but it is small and hard to read. Compass XL replaces it with bold, oversized displays that you can read at a glance — in bright sunlight, in darkness, or in motion. No internet required. No account needed. Open the app and go. FREE FEATURES: - Two compass styles: Classic and Minimal - True North and Magnetic North modes - Smooth, responsive heading display - Location-based place names - Dark mode support - Haptic feedback at cardinal points - Optimized for iPhone and iPad UPGRADE TO PRO: One purchase. Everything unlocked. No subscription. - Remove Ads — A clean, focused compass with nothing between you and your heading. - Bearing Lock — Lock any heading and follow it with confidence. A haptic pulse tells you when you are aligned. Stay on course without constantly watching the screen. - Night Vision Mode — A red-spectrum display that preserves your night-adapted eyes. Essential for stargazing, camping, and nighttime navigation. - Three additional compass styles: - Large Display — Maximum size for effortless reading at any distance - Military — Tactical precision with real-time altitude - Maritime — Nautical design with real-time altitude ADDITIONAL FEATURES: - GPS altitude display - Heading accuracy indicator - Magnetic declination data - Share your heading, coordinates, and location - Works entirely offline DESIGNED FOR: - Hikers, campers, and trail runners - Sailors and marine navigation - Military and tactical personnel - Stargazers and astronomers - Seniors and anyone who values readability - Surveyors and field professionals - Emergency preparedness - Everyday orientation in unfamiliar places Your direction. Your confidence. Your compass.

Screenshots

Compass1 screens
Compass XL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Compass XL at 4.7 against Compass's 2.0. Compass XL also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (15 vs 1). Compass's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 17.0). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Compass sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Compass XL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Compass XL holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass XL has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Compass ships an update every 8 months, Compass XL every 9 days. Both last shipped on September 19, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Compass versus Compass XL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCompassCompass XL
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings)4.7 (15 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings115 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSavvas PetrouMobile Card Games & Travel Apps LLC

Customer experience

Compass

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Compass XL

All ratings15 ratings
Positive86.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative6.7%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Compass

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99
1 purchases

Compass XL

One-time1
  • Compass Pro$1.99

Questions

Is Compass free?
Compass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Compass XL free?
Compass XL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Compass or Compass XL?
Compass XL is rated higher. Compass averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Compass XL averages 4.7 from 15 ratings.
Do Compass or Compass XL have ads?
Neither Compass nor Compass XL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Compass or Compass XL?
Compass ships an update every 8 months, and Compass XL every 9 days. Most recently, Compass was updated on September 19, 2026 and Compass XL on September 19, 2026.

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