# Altimeter GPS & Barometer vs Compass

The clearest difference is rating: Altimeter GPS & Barometer at 4.6 against Compass's 3.3. Altimeter GPS & Barometer also leads on review sentiment (58% vs 22%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 7 months). Compass's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 14.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Altimeter GPS & Barometer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.

Altimeter GPS & Barometer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.2K and 2.3K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Altimeter GPS & Barometer's written reviews are positive against 22% of Compass's.

Altimeter GPS & Barometer ships an update fortnightly, Compass every 7 months. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Altimeter GPS & Barometer | Compass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (2.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/altimeter-gps-and-barometer/id572227849/reviews)** | [3.3 (2.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass/id1067456176/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2.2K | **2.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **58.3% of reviews** | 22.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#106** | — |
| Size | 107 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aesthetic Apps & Widgets srl](https://appshunter.io/developer/1776106599) | [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) |

## What reviewers say

### Altimeter GPS & Barometer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/altimeter-gps-and-barometer/id572227849)

**Currently charting:** #106 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides accurate altitude and location data using your iPhone's sensors, even without an internet connection. It offers a compass, step counter, sunrise/sunset calculator, and multiple map options for outdoor adventures and survival situations.

**Highlights:** Accurate altitude readings (GPS, Aster, Barometer), Offline functionality, no internet required, Integrated speedometer and pedometer, Sunrise/sunset calculator, Position finder and compass, Multiple map options, Today Widget for quick access

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Remove advertisement forever | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good altimeter
- 👍 Practical and informative
- 👍 Exceptional and useful
- 👍 Reliable and accurate

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate altimeter readings
- 🐛 Doesn't work without cell signal
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 💰 Too expensive
- 📢 Too many ads

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't work on iPhone 16
- Altimeter shows incorrect elevation
- Compass is 90 degrees off
- Crashes on startup

**Requested features**

- Add widget capability
- Support for elevations below sea level
- Improve compass accuracy
- Offline map support


### Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass/id1067456176)

This app displays your current latitude, longitude, and elevation. It also allows you to lock your current heading and provides a visual indicator to help you stay on course.

**Highlights:** Displays latitude and longitude, Shows current elevation, Lock current heading, On-course indicator

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Simple and effective
- 🗺️ Provides location and elevation data
- 💯 Saved a life in an emergency
- 🤖 Helpful for kids and the directionally challenged

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🧭 Inaccurate compass readings
- 🔁 Inconsistent and unreliable direction
- 🔒 Locked on north direction
- 🚫 Completely non-functional

**Reported bugs**

- Compass frozen or stuck on one direction
- Compass showing opposite direction
- Elevation and location data not working
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Ability to switch between magnetic and true north
- Integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch
- Option to display coordinates in decimal degrees
- Customizable compass face with cardinal directions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Altimeter GPS & Barometer free?

Altimeter GPS & Barometer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Compass free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Altimeter GPS & Barometer or Compass?

Altimeter GPS & Barometer is rated higher. Altimeter GPS & Barometer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while Compass averages 3.3 from 2.3K ratings.

### Do Altimeter GPS & Barometer or Compass have ads?

Neither Altimeter GPS & Barometer nor Compass shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Altimeter GPS & Barometer or Compass?

Altimeter GPS & Barometer ships an update fortnightly, and Compass every 7 months. Most recently, Altimeter GPS & Barometer was updated on October 29, 2026 and Compass on October 29, 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.*