Comparison

Dsky vs Compass Guide

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

Head to head
About

Dsky

Experience the Apollo Guidance Computer DSKY interface on your iPad. This photo-realistic simulator lets you input commands like Apollo astronauts to navigate, using your device's GPS and accelerometers for real-world data.

Highlights
  • Photo-realistic DSKY interface simulation
  • Uses iPad GPS for latitude, longitude, altitude
  • Utilizes iPad accelerometers for attitude
  • Subset of original DSKY verbs and nouns
  • Configurable units (meters, nautical miles, statute miles)
  • Includes help page and usage instructions
Features
Read full description

Description Tap on the 'i' icon lower right for help on using Dsky. Dsky is the Apollo Guidance Computer DSKY simulator for iPad. Dsky simulates the look and feel of the original Apollo DSKY keyboard and user interface used by the Apollo astronauts to navigate to the moon and back in the 1960’s and 70’s. Dsky is a photo-realistic simulation, based on actual photographs of original Apollo DSKY hardware, realistically animated for the iPad to be as close as possible to the real thing. The Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) and DSKY user interface were installed in every Apollo Command Module (CM) and Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) that flew in the Apollo program. They were used to navigate and control the spacecraft in all phases of flight. The AGC and DSKY were designed and programmed by MIT for NASA, and although they were among the most advanced electronics of their time, the DSKY user interface was necessarily limited and simple. Now you can use this exact same interface to do your own navigation! Its harder than using a Tom-Tom, but you know, this actually is rocket science. And its free! Although you can’t use Dsky to maneouvre your LEM or land on the moon, you can use it for some real-world down-to-earth applications: Current GPS Latitude, Longitude and Altitude Current attitude using the iPad acccelerometers. Distance-to-go, time and velocity, using the iPad internal GPS. A subset of the original DSKY verbs and nouns is faithfully implemented, allowing you to program and use the Dsky just like the Apollo astronauts did. Unlike the original DSKY, you can configure Dsky to use your own choice of units: Meters, Nautical Miles or Statute Miles. See the iPad Settings page. A comprehensive help page and usage instructions is included (look for the little ‘i’ at the bottom right of Dsky).

About

Compass Guide

This application provides directional guidance and heading information using your device's compass. It's designed to help users find their way in various situations.

Highlights
  • Directional finding
  • Heading information
  • Outdoor navigation aid
  • Hiking GPS support
Features
Read full description

Compass Guide is a simple, reliable digital compass for hiking, navigation, and everyday direction-finding — no account required. FIND YOUR WAY • Live compass heading in true north or magnetic north • Calibration guidance and an accuracy indicator you can trust • Your coordinates, altitude, and speed at a glance NAVIGATE TO A DESTINATION • Set a destination by map, clipboard coordinates, or manual entry • See live bearing and distance to where you're headed • Save multiple destinations with Premium SEE THE SKY • Sun and moon position markers on the dial (Premium) • Night mode with a red-tinted display to protect your night vision MAKE IT YOURS • Six compass styles: Classic, Field, Nautical, Military, Surveyor, and Minimal • Choose degrees or mils, metric or imperial units • Keep the screen on, add a haptic tick at true north, and use the built-in flashlight SHARE YOUR HEADING • Export a shareable image card with your heading and location details GO PREMIUM YOUR WAY • Unlock every feature with a one-time purchase — no subscription • Or watch a short ad anytime to unlock Premium free for 24 hours Compass Guide works fully offline for core compass features and never asks you to create an account.

Screenshots

Compass Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

Dsky and Compass Guide both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 86% of Dsky's written reviews are positive against 40% of Compass Guide's. Dsky also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). Compass Guide's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 32 months) and ratings volume (126 vs 11). On price and rating 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 Guide sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Dsky asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dsky holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass Guide has 126 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Dsky's written reviews are positive against 40% of Compass Guide's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dsky ships an update every 32 months, Compass Guide fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Dsky versus Compass Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDskyCompass Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (11 ratings) — better4.5 (126 ratings)
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11126 — better
Update frequencyEvery 32 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAirSpayceAPPS BAY LIMITED

Customer experience

Dsky

All ratings11 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%

Compass Guide

All ratings126 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Dsky

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Compass Guide

One-time1
  • Premium$2.99

Questions

Is Dsky free?
Dsky is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Compass Guide free?
Compass Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Dsky or Compass Guide?
Dsky is rated higher. Dsky averages 4.6 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Compass Guide averages 4.5 from 126 ratings.
Do Dsky or Compass Guide have ads?
Compass Guide shows ads; Dsky does not.
Which is updated more often, Dsky or Compass Guide?
Dsky ships an update every 32 months, and Compass Guide fortnightly. Most recently, Dsky was updated on October 23, 2026 and Compass Guide on October 27, 2026.

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