# Binnacle vs Compass Observation App

The clearest difference is update cadence: Compass Observation App at every 3 days against Binnacle's every 2 weeks. On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Binnacle against 5.0 for Compass Observation App. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

Binnacle ships an update every 2 weeks, Compass Observation App every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Binnacle | Compass Observation App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/binnacle-nautical-calculator/id6523426668/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-observation-app/id6817890581/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 32 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Danylo Budylkin](https://appshunter.io/developer/6778012130) | [Burak Yesilirmak](https://appshunter.io/developer/6817890583) |

## What reviewers say

### Binnacle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/binnacle-nautical-calculator/id6523426668)

This navigation app provides tools for maritime professionals and sailing enthusiasts. It offers features like true wind calculation, celestial navigation, ETA estimation, logbook management, and port search. Stay informed with real-time NavArea warnings for safer voyages.

**Highlights:** True Wind Calculation, Celestial Navigation Tools, ETA Estimation, LogBook Management, UNLOCODE Search, NavArea Warnings

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Compass Observation App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-observation-app/id6817890581)

This navigation app provides tools for deck officers, yachtsmen, and students to check compasses and perform celestial navigation calculations. It offers offline functionality, no account required, and no data collection for a private user experience.

**Highlights:** Phone compass calibration, Gyro and standard compass error calculation, Sight reduction and fix plotting, Meridian passage countdown, Latitude by Polaris calculation, Coastal navigation tools, AR Sky for celestial body identification

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Binnacle free?

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

### Is Compass Observation App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Binnacle or Compass Observation App?

Binnacle and Compass Observation App are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Binnacle or Compass Observation App have ads?

Neither Binnacle nor Compass Observation App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Binnacle or Compass Observation App?

Binnacle ships an update every 2 weeks, and Compass Observation App every 3 days. Most recently, Binnacle was updated on October 30, 2026 and Compass Observation App on November 6, 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.*