Comparison

Sun Azimuths vs Sun Compass

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

Head to head
About

Sun Azimuths

Features
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Shows the direction of the sun for the hours before and after local noon based on your latitude and date presented as a table of bearings (aka Azimuths). It is completely offline and does not need gps or internet to function. Ideal for those interested in improving their natural navigational techniques and increasing their knowledge of all the clues that time in nature provides. This app is an updated method from the older paper based tables. Nonetheless the user might still prefer to copy the Az values as a backup. Designed for ease of use all values are based on True North. Accuracy is within a few degrees and considered suitable for field purposes.

About

Sun Compass

Features
Read full description

Your exact GPS coordinates, a true compass heading, and the sun's position for the spot you are standing on β€” all on one screen, all read straight from your iPhone's own sensors. Most compass apps stop at a needle. This one is built like an instrument: latitude and longitude in DD, DMS or DDM, barometric altitude, speed, true and magnetic heading with declination, live accuracy in metres, and an astronomical sun calculator that runs entirely on device. The core readings keep working with no signal β€” GPS, compass and barometer do not need the internet. WHAT YOU GET - Read your precise position in DD, DMS or DDM, copy it to the clipboard, and send it to anyone as a tappable map link in two taps - Know exactly which way you are facing with a smooth compass rose showing true heading, magnetic heading and declination - See where the sun is right now β€” solar altitude, azimuth, sunrise and sunset calculated for your exact coordinates and date - Check your elevation from the barometer, plus speed and horizontal and vertical accuracy, on a full instrument panel - Record a walk, hike or drive as a route with live distance and time, then replay the finished track on the map - Drop named waypoints with notes and watch the live distance to each one change as you move PERFECT FOR - Hikers, trail runners and campers who need elevation, heading and a marked way back - Photographers and gardeners planning around sunrise, sunset and where the light will fall - Travellers and road trippers who want a log of where they have been and a fast way to share a pin - Anyone who has to give a driver, a friend or a rescue service an exact coordinate instead of a vague address WHY NOT JUST USE THE BUILT-IN COMPASS APP? It shows a heading and a rough coordinate, and that is the end of it. There is no solar altitude or azimuth, no saved waypoints, no recorded route with replay, no barometric instrument panel, no area measurement, and no way to hand someone a clean location card. Everything here sits in one place, formatted the way navigators actually read it. A NOTE ON ACCURACY Readings come from consumer iPhone GPS and sensors. They are excellent for hiking, travel and everyday orientation, but they are not survey-grade or aviation-grade, and the app should not be your only tool in a genuine emergency. PRIVACY Your coordinates, routes, waypoints and history are stored on your device and nowhere else. No account, no sign-up, no ads, no cloud sync, no tracking. The only network request is the optional weather lookup, which sends your coordinates to the weather provider when you open the Weather screen. FULL ACCESS Full Access unlocks unlimited waypoints (three are free), route recording with map replay, live weather for your position, satellite and hybrid map styles, the two-point distance calculator, the flight seat guide, field area measurement on the map, and the shareable location card. It is available as a weekly subscription, a yearly subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase β€” choose one at the paywall and everything unlocks instantly. Open the app, allow location once, and your coordinates, heading and sun times are on screen before you take your first step. Terms of Use (EULA): https://web-levi.web.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://web-levi.web.app/privacy-policy Questions? tphuc.work@gmail.com

Screenshots

Sun Compass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sun Azimuths at none against Sun Compass's 5. Sun Azimuths also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Sun Compass's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Sun Compass sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Sun Azimuths asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sun Azimuths ships an update every 3 months, Sun Compass monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Β· 2 level
Sun Azimuths versus Sun Compass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSun AzimuthsSun Compass
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size3 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPeter BleakleyPhuc Pham

In-app purchases

None

Sun Azimuths

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Sun Compass

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly Premium$3.997 Days
  • Premium Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Premium Yearly$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Annual Premium$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$39.99

Questions

Is Sun Azimuths free?
Sun Azimuths is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sun Compass free?
Sun Compass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Sun Azimuths or Sun Compass have ads?
Neither Sun Azimuths nor Sun Compass shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sun Azimuths or Sun Compass?
Sun Azimuths ships an update every 3 months, and Sun Compass monthly. Most recently, Sun Azimuths was updated on October 5, 2026 and Sun Compass on October 7, 2026.

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