Comparison

Buffer & Stakeout vs Virtual Compass º

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

Head to head
About

Buffer & Stakeout

Features
Read full description

If you need to create a buffer zone around a building, along a road or a river, or along the perimeter of an area, the Buffer & Stakeout app will help you do that easily. This app will run on the iPAD, iPhone and iPod touch. It will let you digitize a Point, Line or Area Feature, view its position, length or area, and create buffer zones around it. You may create one or more buffer zones, such as for calculating the area to mow inside and outside a fence around a large complex, or for figuring the tax credit for an unfarmed riparian zone The Point Stakeout function provided by this app can help you approach a point or a node on an area boundary. The Line Stakeout function can help guide you along a path or an area boundary. You can turn the navigation beeps on or off. You may specify the distance unit (metric or English) and choose between Azimuth and Bearing for displaying angles. You will be able to work with multiple job files, and you will be able to export the Features and coordinates to a PDF file. This app will let you view the PDF file it has created and also any PDF file you have copied into the Documents folder of this app. It will also let you email the PDF files (*.pdf) and job file (*.pmp). If your device has GPS capability, you may pick the GPS location as a node for your Feature. Please note: Location data depends on the GPS receiver used. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. This app will let you easily toggle the built-in GPS on or off. It comes with a built-in help file.

About

Virtual Compass º

This app overlays a precise compass and GPS coordinates onto your camera's view, offering real-time direction and location tracking. Navigate easily by seeing your heading and position directly on your surroundings.

Highlights
  • Real-time compass direction
  • Real-time compass heading
  • GPS coordinates display
  • Camera viewfinder integration
  • Instant GPS readings
Features
Read full description

Virtual Compass is a camera compass that accurately navigates users through virtual navigation and compass direction. Just open the app and see an accurate compass heading and compass direction displayed over what is in front of you. Your GPS coordinates are always displayed as well, so you can always identify where you are, making it easier to navigate using the virtual compass. Virtual Compass includes: -accurate realtime compass direction in big bold font -accurate realtime compass heading -your real time GPS coordinates -easy-to-use view finder (via your phone's camera) to accurately identify compass direction and compass heading. -instant gps readings -camera compass Get an accurate virtual compass reading instantly!

Screenshots

Buffer & Stakeout4 screens
Virtual Compass º3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Virtual Compass º at Free against Buffer & Stakeout's $24.99. Virtual Compass º also leads on update cadence (every 6 months vs every 36 months). Buffer & Stakeout's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). On in-app purchases and device support 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

Virtual Compass º is free to download; Buffer & Stakeout costs $24.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Buffer & Stakeout ships an update every 36 months, Virtual Compass º every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on August 23, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Buffer & Stakeout versus Virtual Compass º: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuffer & StakeoutVirtual Compass º
Price$24.99Free — better
Rating—4.6 (308 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—55.6% of reviews
Number of ratings—308 — better
Update frequencyEvery 36 monthsEvery 6 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Ad-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCORVALLIS MICROTECHNOLOGY, INC.Villegas Ventures LLC

In-app purchases

None

Buffer & Stakeout

No in-app purchases

None

Virtual Compass º

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Buffer & Stakeout free?
Buffer & Stakeout costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Virtual Compass º free?
Virtual Compass º is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Buffer & Stakeout or Virtual Compass º have ads?
Virtual Compass º shows ads; Buffer & Stakeout does not.
Which is updated more often, Buffer & Stakeout or Virtual Compass º?
Buffer & Stakeout ships an update every 36 months, and Virtual Compass º every 6 months. Most recently, Buffer & Stakeout was updated on August 23, 2026 and Virtual Compass º on September 30, 2026.

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