Comparison

RFSBuddy vs GPS Altitude Compass

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

Head to head
About

RFSBuddy

This app provides essential GPS mapping and field note-taking tools for firefighters and anyone needing location services. It works offline, converts GPS coordinates into standard formats, and allows for easy sharing of locations and points of interest.

Highlights
  • Offline GPS functionality
  • Multiple GPS coordinate formats
  • Field notes with location icons
  • Grid reference to Lat/Long conversion
  • Location sharing via email
  • Movement tracking
  • Bearing tool for triangulation
Features
Read full description

GPS Mapping Co-ordinates - Record & Share, Field Notes, Movement Tracking & Handbook FEATURES • RFS Buddy works anywhere • The RFS Buddy app does not need wifi or any phone carrier’s reception to work. • RFS Buddy works directly from the iPhone’s internal GPS. • Easily share your location with others via email. (Requires subscription) • Simple "one click" to start tracking your movement. (Requires subscription) • "Add Bearing" tool with camera zoom. With 2 or more Bearings you can triangulate the position of a point of interest in the distance, e.g. Smoke Sighting. Developed to assist Australian volunteer Bushfire Fighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), and also anyone that need GPS location services. RFS Buddy translates your GPS location into the main RFS MGRS standard, including the LPI Map name and number. Also includes a number of other formats, and a Fire-ground Field Notes feature to record reference points of interest such as hazards, smoke etc. GPS CO-ORDINATES IN 5 FORMATS 1. RFS Mapping The Standard MGRS format used to match the RFS maps used in the field. Includes: - Full RFS Grid Reference (100m). - Short RFS Grid Reference - LPI Map Name, Reference Number & Scale - GPS Accuracy 2. Aviation 3. Standard GPS 4. Degrees, Minutes, Seconds 5. Easting Northing 6. What3Words (NEW) FIELD NOTES Name and record your current position in a list that (on swipe right) shows all 5 GPS formats. - Ability to Select Location Reference Type Icon. - Text to Convert for Location feature. Convert a Grid Reference into Lat-Long or Lat-Long into Grid easily, quickly and accurately – and immediately check it on the included map for confirmation. - Share / Publish location to your preferred setting of either State, District or Brigade. (required in-app subscription) - Saved Locations now expand to show all Lat/Long formats plus map. For more information, see Apple's standard Terms of use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ and our Privacy Policy https://vtsa.org.au/rfsbuddy-privacy-policy/

About

GPS Altitude Compass

This tool provides real-time direction, altitude, and network diagnostics. It helps with outdoor navigation, speed measurement, and troubleshooting Wi-Fi and cellular connections. Personalize your interface with different compass styles.

Highlights
  • Real-time compass direction
  • Current altitude display
  • Location map integration
  • Wi-Fi/cellular network speed test
  • Ping and signal analysis
  • Network diagnostic tools
  • Customizable compass skins
Features
Read full description

GPS compass tool, integrating altitude, map, and network diagnostic functions. Accurate pointing, real-time altitude, one click speed measurement, it is an all-in-one assistant for your outdoor exploration and daily use! Core functions: Compass - Real time display of direction, quickly find southeast, northwest, suitable for outdoor exploration, travel navigation Compass skin style switching - personalized interface, freely switch between different styles Altitude - Obtain the altitude of the current location and display the location map One click testing of Wi Fi/cellular network download, upload, and latency Ping testing, Wi Fi signal analysis, traffic monitoring, optimizing network connectivity Network diagnostic tool for quickly troubleshooting network disconnection issues [Automatic Subscription Membership Instructions] Professional version subscription: continuous annual package/$14.99 (enjoy a 3-day trial) When you confirm your purchase and at the beginning of each renewal cycle, we will charge a subscription fee from your iTunes account, and subscriptions that include a free trial period will automatically renew as paid subscriptions. You can cancel your subscription or free trial in iTunes settings at least 24 hours before the end of the free trial period. Cancelling the subscription will take effect on the last day of the current subscription period. Once the cancellation takes effect, your subscription service privileges will become invalid. Privacy Policy: https://kdocs.cn/l/crwhdSCeVmYl User Agreement: https://kdocs.cn/l/cmPBofZUOVLz

Screenshots

RFSBuddy4 screens
GPS Altitude Compass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: GPS Altitude Compass at 100% against RFSBuddy's 64%. RFSBuddy's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. RFSBuddy sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.49 per year and GPS Altitude Compass sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RFSBuddy ships an update every 2 months, GPS Altitude Compass every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
RFSBuddy versus GPS Altitude Compass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRFSBuddyGPS Altitude Compass
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB78 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVolunteer Technology Services Australia LtdShenzhen Cx Interactive Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

RFSBuddy

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral9.1%
Negative27.3%

GPS Altitude Compass

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

RFSBuddy

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Bronze (auto-renew)$1.491 Year
1 purchases

GPS Altitude Compass

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Membership3 Days trial$14.991 Year

Questions

Is RFSBuddy free?
RFSBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GPS Altitude Compass free?
GPS Altitude Compass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RFSBuddy or GPS Altitude Compass have ads?
Neither RFSBuddy nor GPS Altitude Compass shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RFSBuddy or GPS Altitude Compass?
RFSBuddy ships an update every 2 months, and GPS Altitude Compass every 6 weeks. Most recently, RFSBuddy was updated on November 5, 2026 and GPS Altitude Compass on October 31, 2026.

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