Comparison

aprs.fi vs Pro Compass for Watch

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

Head to head
About

aprs.fi

Access real-time APRS position data, weather reports, and telemetry graphs globally. Offers route guidance, station tracking, and map filtering. Some advanced features require an in-app subscription.

Highlights
  • Real-time APRS position data
  • Route guidance and driving directions
  • Search callsigns and addresses
  • Track multiple stations
  • Filter map information
  • View weather and telemetry graphs
  • Beacon your position
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

An additional in-app subscription is needed for some features, so please read this application description fully before purchasing. Navigate to addresses with clear step-by-step instructions. Obtain immediate, real-time access to current APRS position information, weather reports, telemetry graphs, and more. Zoom and browse around the world and see stations immediately – no waiting. • Route guidance / driving directions • Search callsigns and addresses, with quick search-as-you-type and search history features • Track multiple stations at the same time • Filter information shown on the map (weather stations, AIS, custom filters) • View weather, telemetry and statistic graphs • Beacon your position on aprs.fi • Attach to a transceiver with a wireless connection to a BLE TNC, receive and transmit position beacons without the Internet • Runs directly on top of the reliable and fast aprs.fi database • Tested to work great on all currently-supported iPhone and iPad models • Supports iOS 14/15/16/17/18/26 • Dark Mode support for an ergonomic viewing experience in low-light environments • High-resolution graphics for Retina and Retina HD displays with full APRS symbol set Buy the app – get the web site for free! Some new features require a subscription. All old and some new features will be available without a subscription fee. These features are currently included in the Extra Features subscription package: • APRS text messaging with a modern instant messenger-like experience, supports international text and emojis • High-performance software DSP modem • APRS-IS beaconing, with up to 10 callsign profiles • Offline maps • RX iGate functionality • Long time ranges in map and graph views Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. GPS is not required for viewing APRS information. Terms of service: https://aprs.fi/page/app_terms Privacy policy: https://aprs.fi/page/app_privacy

About

Pro Compass for Watch

This app replicates classic pocket compasses with advanced 3D graphics for realistic operation on your wrist. It provides true/magnetic compass modes, sun/moon positions, GPS, altitude, and a waypoint manager with map integration. Customize settings and color schemes for optimal viewing.

Highlights
  • Realistic 3D compass rendering
  • True and magnetic compass modes
  • Sun and moon position tracking
  • GPS location and altitude display
  • Waypoint manager with map view
  • Inclinometer with bubble levels
  • Customizable settings and color schemes
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The legendary iOS compass app is now available for Apple Watch! Pro Compass replicates the look and feel of classic pocket compass hardware in use since the 1800s. The app uses advanced graphics technologies (normally reserved for games) to render 3D floating compass hardware for realistic operation. Pro Compass offers true and magnetic compass modes using a damped rosette-style compass ring. Local sun and moon position are shown on the compass ring and continually updated. Pro Compass also displays location and altitude, and contains a built-in two-axis inclinometer that drives two independent bubble levels and a bullseye level.  New in Pro Compass for Watch version 2 is a map screen and waypoint manager. You can add waypoints on the map or at your current location, and view waypoints on the compass ring to visualize their bearing from your current location. Pro Compass has settings for compass mode (true or magnetic, degrees or mils), distance/altitude units (feet or meters), and position format (decimal degrees, degrees-minutes-seconds, MGRS, USNG, UTM, UTM-B, and Maidenhead Locator System). The app has six color schemes, including two night vision modes - midnight red and luminescent green. Pro Compass for Watch is recommended for Apple Watch Series 5 and later (including Ultra). Apple Watch Series 4 and older do not have a compass sensor and will not show compass data. On older devices, the app uses the device's gyro sensor to measure rotation. You can twist the watch's digital crown to adjust and calibrate the gyro to the sun position, moon position, or a known bearing. Using these references, the "gyro compass" is able to give bearing. The calibration can be repeated as often as desired to give accurate results. Accuracy note: Pro Compass reports accuracy from the magnetometer sensor in your watch. To improve results, operate Pro Compass away from magnets, electronics, or sources of electro-magnetic interference, including car dashboards, aircraft cockpits, metal structures, and other devices. Developer note: like all our apps, we plan to continually improve and evolve Pro Compass for Watch. Please contact us with feature requests, suggestions, and general feedback. We'd love to hear what you're doing with the app!

Screenshots

aprs.fi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: aprs.fi at 4.7 against Pro Compass for Watch's 4.2. aprs.fi also leads on review sentiment (70% vs 39%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). Pro Compass for Watch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and price ($1.99 vs $6.99). On ads 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

aprs.fi costs $6.99 and Pro Compass for Watch $1.99 up front. aprs.fi sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Pro Compass for Watch asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

aprs.fi holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: aprs.fi has 1.2K ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of aprs.fi's written reviews are positive against 39% of Pro Compass for Watch's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, Pro Compass for Watch every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
aprs.fi versus Pro Compass for Watch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameteraprs.fiPro Compass for Watch
Price$6.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.7 (1.2K ratings) — better4.2 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews70.4% of reviews — better38.6% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2K — better20
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#27 — better#92
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGainIOCraig Hunter

Customer experience

aprs.fi

All ratings1,133 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews223 reviews
Positive70.4%
Neutral11.2%
Negative18.4%

Pro Compass for Watch

All ratings19 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral5.3%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive38.6%
Neutral15.9%
Negative45.5%

User reviews

aprs.fi

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Solid product
  • 👍 Works great with external hardware
  • 💡 Useful for public service events
  • 🚀 Reliable way to participate in APRS network
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Beaconing issues (inconsistent timing, lack of smart beaconing)
  • 🔒 Messaging requires subscription
  • 💰 Expensive for limited functionality
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🔒 Subscription required for full features

Pro Compass for Watch

From 20 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✅ Offers mils and grid
  • 👍 Great support from developer
  • 🌟 Accurate and easy to use
  • 💡 Fixes waypoint issue on map
  • 💰 One-time purchase, no subscription

Room to improve

  • ❌ Difficult installation
  • 💸 App not received after purchase
  • ❓ App not found after purchase
  • 📉 UI not polished
  • ⚠️ Direction indicator shows NA

Bugs and requests

aprs.fi

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Beacon not clickable
  • Freezing on settings screen
  • Incompatible with older iOS versions
  • Inconsistent behavior with VOX on radios

Requested features

6 requests
  • Offline maps support
  • Ability to change nickname without creating new account
  • Smart beaconing mode
  • Bulk message deletion
  • CarPlay support
Show 1 more
  • Automatic location detection

Pro Compass for Watch

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • App crashes
  • Direction indicator shows NA
  • GPS map shows incorrect location
  • Compass not available on some devices
  • App not found/received after purchase
Show 3 more
  • App doesn't reinstall after unpairing watch
  • App forgets location permissions
  • Bubbles move backwards

Requested features

8 requests
  • Add BNG as grid reference option
  • Add iPhone companion app for waypoint management
  • Include Sun Shadow Bearing option
  • Increase number of waypoints beyond 5
  • Make sun and moon indicators bigger and bolder
Show 3 more
  • Add option to use 6400 mils instead of 360 degrees
  • Add calibration option
  • Add a lock button for the crown

In-app purchases

3 purchases

aprs.fi

Subscriptions3
  • Extra features, monthly$1.991 Month
  • Extra features, yearly7 Days trial$6.491 Year
  • Extra features, fair trade7 Days trial$13.491 Year
None

Pro Compass for Watch

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is aprs.fi free?
aprs.fi costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Pro Compass for Watch free?
Pro Compass for Watch costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, aprs.fi or Pro Compass for Watch?
aprs.fi is rated higher. aprs.fi averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Pro Compass for Watch averages 4.2 from 20 ratings.
Do aprs.fi or Pro Compass for Watch have ads?
Neither aprs.fi nor Pro Compass for Watch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, aprs.fi or Pro Compass for Watch?
aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, and Pro Compass for Watch every 3 months. Most recently, aprs.fi was updated on November 1, 2026 and Pro Compass for Watch on October 29, 2026.
Which is more popular, aprs.fi or Pro Compass for Watch?
aprs.fi currently peaks at #27 in the App Store charts, and Pro Compass for Watch at #92. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons