# ESS Mobile vs Compass Time

The clearest difference is rating: Compass Time at 4.2 against ESS Mobile's 1.7. Compass Time also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, review sentiment, 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.

Compass Time holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 343 and 839 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 3% of ESS Mobile's written reviews are positive against 10% of Compass Time's.

ESS Mobile ships an update every 3 months, Compass Time monthly. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ESS Mobile | Compass Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.7 (343 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ess-mobile/id667448755/reviews) | **[4.2 (839 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-time/id6460080054/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 343 | **839** |
| Positive reviews | 2.9% of reviews | **10.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 1 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Attendance on Demand, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/675262405) | [Compass Group USA, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/880651428) |

## What reviewers say

### ESS Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ess-mobile/id667448755)

This app offers flexible time tracking for employees, allowing them to punch in/out, review hours worked, check schedules, and manage benefit balances. It facilitates communication with supervisors for attendance-related matters and supports various time entry methods.

**Highlights:** Flexible time tracking, Review hours worked, Check schedules and benefit balances, Request time off, Enter tips and mileage, Communicate with supervisor

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Simple and straightforward time tracking functionality
- 📧 Email records linked to time card
- ⚙️ Works reliably on Android devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connect button functions as text box instead of button
- ❌ App crashes frequently after updates
- ⚪ White screen loading issues
- 📍 Location detection inaccurate (4-5 miles off)
- 🔐 Login failures and credential issues

**Reported bugs**

- Connect button treats input as editable text field
- App fails to load or shows blank white screen
- Location services report incorrect location
- Login credentials rejected despite correct information
- Clock-in button disappears or becomes non-functional

**Requested features**

- Face ID or biometric authentication
- Remember me/stay logged in functionality
- Current time display on home screen
- Manager approval system for early out/late in requests
- Ability to view all punch times and historical data


### Compass Time

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-time/id6460080054)

Access company job listings and culture details. Track your work hours by clocking in and out, review your timesheets, and submit time off requests directly from your smartphone.

**Highlights:** View job opportunities, Apply for jobs, Clock in/out of work, View timesheets, Request time off, Job alerts

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Useful app when it works
- ⏱️ Convenient clock in/out feature

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- 🔄 Constant log-out issues
- ⏰ Unreliable clock in/out functionality
- 🕰️ Slow and laggy performance

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and screen freezes
- Disappearing or inaccurate timesheet data
- Compatibility problems with newer device updates

**Requested features**

- Improve app stability and reliability
- Enhance clock in/out accuracy and functionality
- Provide better customer support and responsiveness


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ESS Mobile free?

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

### Is Compass Time free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ESS Mobile or Compass Time?

Compass Time is rated higher. ESS Mobile averages 1.7 out of 5 from 343 ratings, while Compass Time averages 4.2 from 839 ratings.

### Do ESS Mobile or Compass Time have ads?

Neither ESS Mobile nor Compass Time shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ESS Mobile or Compass Time?

ESS Mobile ships an update every 3 months, and Compass Time monthly. Most recently, ESS Mobile was updated on September 23, 2026 and Compass Time on September 23, 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.*