# Compass vs Plainly AI

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Compass at none against Plainly AI's 1. Plainly AI's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Plainly AI sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.

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

Compass ships an update fortnightly, Plainly AI monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Compass | Plainly AI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-local-ai/id6760742955/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plainly-ai/id6763172251/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shryas Bhurat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1883531179) | [Kristopher Anderson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895197898) |

## What reviewers say

### Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-local-ai/id6760742955)

This AI assistant processes all your questions and attached screenshots locally on your device. Enjoy private, real-time answers without data collection or cloud transmission.

**Highlights:** On-device AI processing, Screenshot and photo analysis, Notes-style chat interface, Private by design, No data collection, Streaming answers

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Plainly AI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plainly-ai/id6763172251)

Learn about artificial intelligence in simple terms with no jargon. This app breaks down complex AI concepts into easy-to-understand lessons with everyday examples. It offers free introductory modules and a glossary, with an option to unlock the full library for a one-time purchase.

**Highlights:** Plain English AI explanations, Everyday examples, Key takeaways and practical tips, Glossary of AI terms, Adjustable text size and dark mode, Progress tracking on device

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Full Library | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Compass free?

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

### Is Plainly AI free?

Plainly AI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Compass or Plainly AI?

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

### Do Compass or Plainly AI have ads?

Neither Compass nor Plainly AI shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Compass or Plainly AI?

Compass ships an update fortnightly, and Plainly AI monthly. Most recently, Compass was updated on October 14, 2026 and Plainly AI on October 24, 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.*