# The Compass vs Arrow

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Arrow at 100% against The Compass's 57%. Arrow also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). The Compass's advantage is update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 23 months) and ratings volume (140 vs 1). On price and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Arrow holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Compass has 140 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of The Compass's written reviews are positive against 100% of Arrow's.

The Compass ships an update every 4 weeks, Arrow every 23 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Compass | Arrow |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (140 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-compass-simple/id6468984472/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arrow-ultraminimal-compass/id6475329281/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **140** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 23 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 32 MB | 0 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vida Apps Incorporated](https://appshunter.io/developer/1580682451) | [Soltan Adel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1633144494) |

## What reviewers say

### The Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-compass-simple/id6468984472)

Easily determine your direction with this straightforward navigation tool. Personalize the app's appearance by customizing background and text colors to your liking. Enjoy a simple, visually appealing way to check your bearings.

**Highlights:** Quick direction checking, Customizable background color, Customizable text color, Magnetic compass functionality, User-friendly interface

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Arrow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arrow-ultraminimal-compass/id6475329281)

This navigation app offers a minimalist and intuitive compass experience. It uses device sensors to display directions with an elegant rotating arrow, providing essential information without clutter. Ideal for hikers, travelers, and design enthusiasts.

**Highlights:** Minimalist design, Intuitive navigation, Rotating arrow indicator, Uses device sensors, Essential information display

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Compass free?

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

### Is Arrow free?

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

### Which has better reviews, The Compass or Arrow?

Arrow is rated higher. The Compass averages 4.7 out of 5 from 140 ratings, while Arrow averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do The Compass or Arrow have ads?

The Compass shows ads; Arrow does not.

### Which is updated more often, The Compass or Arrow?

The Compass ships an update every 4 weeks, and Arrow every 23 months. Most recently, The Compass was updated on October 24, 2026 and Arrow on October 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*