# CH16 vs Compass Observation App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Compass Observation App at none against CH16's 2. Compass Observation App also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). CH16's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CH16 sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Compass Observation App asks for nothing beyond the download.

CH16 ships an update every 2 months, Compass Observation App every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CH16 | Compass Observation App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 80 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Global SAR Hub](https://appshunter.io/developer/1888797457) | [Burak Yesilirmak](https://appshunter.io/developer/6817890583) |

## What reviewers say

### CH16

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ch16/id6761360179)

This maritime safety app provides instant access to global rescue coordination centers and features tools for generating distress messages and planning voyages. It offers real-time location tracking for man overboard situations and works offline, ensuring safety at sea.

**Highlights:** Global maritime rescue center directory, Interactive SRR zone map, GMDSS-compliant distress message generator, Man Overboard (MOB) mode with GPS tracking, Passage Plan for voyage declaration, Offline functionality, Multilingual support

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CH16 Pro | $0.99 | per month |
| CH16 Pro Lifetime | $4.99 | one-time |


### Compass Observation App

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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CH16 free?

CH16 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Compass Observation App free?

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

### Do CH16 or Compass Observation App have ads?

CH16 shows ads; Compass Observation App does not.

### Which is updated more often, CH16 or Compass Observation App?

CH16 ships an update every 2 months, and Compass Observation App every 3 days. Most recently, CH16 was updated on October 25, 2026 and Compass Observation App 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.*