Comparison

DBHam vs My Compass XL

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

Head to head
About

DBHam

Calculate the distance and bearing between two locations using the Maidenhead grid system. Originally designed for amateur radio operators, it helps determine proximity and direction to other radio enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Calculate distance
  • Calculate bearing
  • Maidenhead grid system
  • Amateur radio focused
  • Location annotation
Features
Read full description

Compute distance and bearing using Maidenhead location. This was originally intended for use by amateur radio operators who participate in microwave communications however it can be used by any ham in order to determine a distance and bearing to another radio amateur. If you want to see maps of the source and target with annotations and overlays as well as be able to touch the map to determine the grid at a particular point, then take a look at our App: DBHamPlus.

About

My Compass XL

Features
Read full description

Compass XL is a tool to search bearings (azimuth) using the device built-in magnetic sensors and the device GPS. You can also easy switch from true North and magnetic North. The compass accuracy depends on the performance of your device. If it works perfectly, this means your sensors are perfect, too. If it is inaccurate, please check that you aren't being affected by a magnetic field and the sensors become weakened by age.

Screenshots

DBHam1 screens
My Compass XL2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: DBHam at none against My Compass XL's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DBHam ships an update every 29 months, My Compass XL every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
DBHam versus My Compass XL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDBHamMy Compass XL
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 29 monthsEvery 18 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.3 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas SullivanRaffaele Amuso

In-app purchases

None

DBHam

No in-app purchases

None

My Compass XL

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DBHam free?
DBHam is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is My Compass XL free?
My Compass XL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DBHam or My Compass XL have ads?
My Compass XL shows ads; DBHam does not.
Which is updated more often, DBHam or My Compass XL?
DBHam ships an update every 29 months, and My Compass XL every 18 months. Most recently, DBHam was updated on June 5, 2026 and My Compass XL on September 15, 2026.

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