Comparison

Compass XL vs Park Arrow

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

Head to head
About

Compass XL

This app provides a large, clear compass display for easy navigation in any environment. It offers multiple styles, North modes, and location-based place names, with offline functionality. An optional Pro upgrade unlocks ad removal, bearing lock, and specialized display modes.

Highlights
  • Large, clear compass display
  • True North and Magnetic North modes
  • Location-based place names
  • Offline functionality
  • Bearing Lock (Pro)
  • Night Vision Mode (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Know exactly where you are. Know exactly where you are heading. Compass XL gives you a large, precise compass designed for clarity and confidence in any environment. Your phone has a compass, but it is small and hard to read. Compass XL replaces it with bold, oversized displays that you can read at a glance — in bright sunlight, in darkness, or in motion. No internet required. No account needed. Open the app and go. FREE FEATURES: - Two compass styles: Classic and Minimal - True North and Magnetic North modes - Smooth, responsive heading display - Location-based place names - Dark mode support - Haptic feedback at cardinal points - Optimized for iPhone and iPad UPGRADE TO PRO: One purchase. Everything unlocked. No subscription. - Remove Ads — A clean, focused compass with nothing between you and your heading. - Bearing Lock — Lock any heading and follow it with confidence. A haptic pulse tells you when you are aligned. Stay on course without constantly watching the screen. - Night Vision Mode — A red-spectrum display that preserves your night-adapted eyes. Essential for stargazing, camping, and nighttime navigation. - Three additional compass styles: - Large Display — Maximum size for effortless reading at any distance - Military — Tactical precision with real-time altitude - Maritime — Nautical design with real-time altitude ADDITIONAL FEATURES: - GPS altitude display - Heading accuracy indicator - Magnetic declination data - Share your heading, coordinates, and location - Works entirely offline DESIGNED FOR: - Hikers, campers, and trail runners - Sailors and marine navigation - Military and tactical personnel - Stargazers and astronomers - Seniors and anyone who values readability - Surveyors and field professionals - Emergency preparedness - Everyday orientation in unfamiliar places Your direction. Your confidence. Your compass.

About

Park Arrow

Features
Read full description

Remember exactly where you parked — and get back before time runs out. Park Arrow saves one parking location on your iPhone and helps you walk back using clear distance and direction guidance. Core saving, distance, and compass features work without an account or developer-operated backend. An optional map view uses Apple MapKit and may require a network connection. SAVE IN A TAP • Save from the app or the Home Screen widget • See live location accuracy before the spot is stored • Replace an old spot with an undo option for accidental saves • Add a 30-minute, 1-hour, or 2-hour parking timer right after saving OPTIONAL AUTOMATIC PARKING • Choose a CarPlay, car Bluetooth, or Driving Focus trigger • Complete a one-time personal automation in Apple’s Shortcuts app • Conservative location and on-device motion checks reduce false saves • Review uncertain detections before replacing your saved spot FIND YOUR WAY BACK • Follow a simple compass-style direction indicator • Switch to a map view when you want geographic context • See honest GPS uncertainty instead of false precision • Get a one-time iOS notification when you return near your car • Keep using core guidance without an internet connection REMEMBER THE DETAILS • Add a floor, zone, parking-space number, or note • Take a private reference photo of a sign or garage level • Set a parking limit with advance and expiry reminders • Share coordinates and an Apple Maps link when needed PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your parking location, note, settings, and photo stay on this iPhone and its private App Group container. Park Arrow has no backend, analytics SDK, advertising SDK, or user account. All features are free. An optional StoreKit tip jar supports future development without unlocking features or content.

Screenshots

Compass XL4 screens
Park Arrow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Park Arrow at none against Compass XL's 1. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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 XL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Park Arrow asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Compass XL ships an update every 9 days, Park Arrow every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Compass XL versus Park Arrow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCompass XLPark Arrow
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (16 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings16 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMobile Card Games & Travel Apps LLCDzmitry Ihnatovich

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Compass XL

One-time1
  • Compass Pro$1.99
None

Park Arrow

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Compass XL free?
Compass XL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Park Arrow free?
Park Arrow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Compass XL or Park Arrow have ads?
Neither Compass XL nor Park Arrow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Compass XL or Park Arrow?
Compass XL ships an update every 9 days, and Park Arrow every 2 weeks. Most recently, Compass XL was updated on October 24, 2026 and Park Arrow on October 7, 2026.

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