Comparison

Compass Waypoint vs Polaris Compass

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

Head to head
About

Compass Waypoint

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A clean, free iPhone compass with no ads. Save a parking spot, campsite, hotel, trailhead, or meeting point, then follow a clear bearing back when you need it. Compass Waypoint is built for parking, hiking, camping, travel, and everyday moments when you want simple direction guidance instead of a complex map. Use it as a modern compass for quick heading checks, or save waypoints and paths when you want help returning later. Key features: - Free modern compass with heading, coordinates, altitude, speed, slope, and GPS accuracy. - Save places like parking spots, campsites, hotels, trailheads, and meeting points. - Record a path, then trace it back with distance and direction guidance. - Use AR Mode to see direction cues over your surroundings when navigating to a saved target. - Local-first by design: your waypoints and paths stay on your device by default. - No account, no ads, no social feed, and no map-first interface. Compass is built for outdoor walks, hiking, parking lots, campsites, travel days, and any moment when you want a direct bearing instead of a full map. Start with the free compass. Compass Pro is available for AR Mode and expanded save limits when you need more. Notes: - Compass guidance depends on your iPhone sensors, GPS signal, and location permission. - Path Trace Back provides bearing-and-distance guidance. It is not turn-by-turn road navigation. - Continued use of GPS in the background while recording a path can decrease battery life. Links: - Support: https://glamdring.work/app/compass - Privacy Policy: https://glamdring.work/app/compass/privacy - Terms of Use / EULA: https://glamdring.work/app/compass/terms

About

Polaris Compass

Features
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Polaris is a focused compass and bearing tool for anyone who navigates by feel and by map β€” hikers, paddlers, sailors, cyclists, and curious commuters. A single brass-and-navy dial, an honest heading, and the bearing tools you actually use. No popups, no upsells, no telemetry. KEY FEATURES β€’ Smooth compass dial with degree ticks and cardinal labels (N/NE/E/SE/S/SW/W/NW) β€’ True or magnetic heading, one tap to switch β€’ Live calibration status so you know when the reading is trustworthy β€’ Bearing screen: enter or pick a waypoint and watch the bearing update as you turn β€’ Distance to target alongside the bearing pointer β€’ Trip Log: save waypoints with a name and recall them in a single tap β€’ Deep navy and brass theme, designed for low-light readability on trail and on deck β€’ Locked portrait, glance-friendly typography PRIVACY No tracking. No accounts. Your heading, waypoints and trip log live on your device only. Location is used only while the app is open, and only to compute heading and bearings. DESIGNED TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY Whether you are bagging a summit, paddling a coast, or following an unfamiliar shortcut home, Polaris just gives you a dial that points true.

Screenshots

Polaris Compass3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Polaris Compass at none against Compass Waypoint's 2. Compass Waypoint's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price 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. Compass Waypoint sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Polaris Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 3 level
Compass Waypoint versus Polaris Compass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCompass WaypointPolaris Compass
PriceFreeFree
Adsβ€”No
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
Devicesβ€”iPhone β€” better
Requires iOS13.0 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size49 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerεšζ–‡ 徐Linh Phan Nhat Khanh

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Compass Waypoint

Subscriptions2
  • Compass Pro Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Compass Pro Yearly7 Days trial$8.991 Year
None

Polaris Compass

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Compass Waypoint free?
Compass Waypoint is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Polaris Compass free?
Polaris Compass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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