Comparison

GNSS View vs GPS Diagnostic

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

Head to head
About

GNSS View

Visualize the positions of satellite navigation systems like QZSS and GPS in the sky. View satellite arrangements on a radar or through augmented reality from your current location. Supports multiple satellite constellations and customizable display options.

Highlights
  • Position Radar view of satellites
  • Augmented Reality (AR) display
  • Supports QZSS, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, SBAS
  • Select specific signal satellites
  • Set elevation mask angle
  • Display HDOP and VDOP values
Read full description

This application enables you to see where the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System in the sky! ●What is QZSS? Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a Japanese satellite positioning system composed mainly of satellites in quasi-zenith orbits (QZO). Satellite positioning systems use satellite signals to calculate position information. One famous example is the American Global Positioning System (GPS) and the QZSS is sometimes called the Japanese GPS. For details, please refer to the following Website "Quasi-Zenith Satellite System". URL : https://qzss.go.jp/en ●What is GNSS View? GNSS View provides that iOS version application that is based on the website application "GNSS View". This application enables you to know position of positioning satellites such as QZSS and GPS in the specified time and location. The positioning satellites displayed in the GNSS View are not based on the satellite information directly received by the smartphone but are displayed based on the satellite arrangement calculated based on the publicly released orbit information. ●GNSS View 3 functions 【Main】 ・You can move to the Position Radar screen or AR Display screen from the application startup screen. ・You can see the operating manual and privacy policy of this application via the website. 【Position Radar】 ・It is provided radar view of positioning satellites such as QZSS and GPS as a sky plot at the specified time and location. ・Positioning satellites can be specified from QZSS, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, SBAS. ・You can also select specified signal satellites to see on the radar. ・You can see selected satellites by setting elevation mask angle. ・You can switch east and west of satellite arrangement, turn on / off rotation, and switch on / off display of satellite number. ・It displays HDOP, VDOP, the total number of satellites and the number of each positioning satellites in the satellite arrangement displayed on the radar. 【AR Display】 ・Position of positioning satellites such as QZSS and GPS on the sky from your current location is able to see through your camera at the specified time. ・In order to display satellites, it is necessary to turn on the position information of the smartphone and complete the positioning. Therefore, it may take time to display. ・Positioning satellites can be specified from QZSS, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, SBAS. ・You can also select specified signal satellites to see on the radar. ・You can see selected satellites by setting elevation mask angle. ●Supported versions ・iOS 26 ・iOS 18 ・iOS 17 ・iOS 16 ・iOS 15 ・iOS 14

About

GPS Diagnostic

This app tests your device's GPS module, providing precise navigation parameters and diagnosing location issues. It supports multiple satellite systems and offers advanced coordinate conversions through an in-app purchase.

Highlights
  • Test GPS module
  • Fast GPS lock time
  • Precise navigation parameters
  • GPS "JumpStart" technology
  • Full satellite system support
  • Additional coordinate systems (IAP)
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

KEY FEATURES: - Essential tool for your iPhone & iPad. - Test the GPS module. - Fast GPS lock time. - Precise navigation parameters. - Supplements operation of your navigation apps. - GPS "JumpStart" technology. - If location cannot be determined then it diagnoses why. - Assists you in changing conditions to get a reliable location. - GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS full support. - Latitude & Longitude, and WGS84 included by default. - In-App Purchase: USNG, MGRS, UTM, OSNG, GEOREF, GARS & 174 Datums (free basic functionality). - **NEW** Smaller footprint (now only 35MBytes) - Free technical and customer support by email. -------------------------------------- OVERVIEW: - Lodestone Chart™ displays all essential GPS satellite information using a chart with only 4 bars. This dramatically simplifies the diagnostic process (Registered Copyright). - GPS "JumpStart" technology may resolve GPS problems with third-party navigation applications that have a frozen location, are slow to respond or are performing inaccurately. - Uses the internal GPS of your iPhone or iPad. - Includes a Speedometer, Altimeter and Compass. - Location and altitude ( best-in-class accuracy and reliability ) - Speed (SOG) and Course (COG). - Heading (i.e. Compass) with ability to turn on and off the manual compass calibration. -------------------------------------- IN-APP PURCHASE (IAP) = "COORDINATES-PRO"   This adds additional coordinate systems and datums to the app to let you accurately work with many paper maps and charts used by civilians, U.S. military and NATO forces for walking, sailing, and flying. The coordinate systems and datums included are: - United States National Grid (USNG) - Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) -Old and New - Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) - Ordnance Survey National Grid (OSNG) for Great Britain - World Geographic Reference System (GEOREF) - Global Area Reference System (GARS) - 174 Datums (e.g. WGS84, NAD83, NAD27, WGS72, ED50, ED79, OSGB36 etc....). -------------------------------------- REVIEWS: - The developer is a professional software and hardware engineer working in the satellite space industry. He is a yachtmaster and pilot with a passion for navigation and Apple products. - Consistent 5 star reviews, see what users are saying: "Perfect Diagnostic Tool - This is the best app if you need to know the actual status of the internal GPS." "Great app for kick starting navigation apps - This app finds a position every time and then all other nav apps work." "Excellent application - This was a much needed application for iOS devices." “I love the app. It’s been great to have when buying a new phone from eBay to check that the GPS is working. I had to return 3 phones last time before I got one with operational GPS.” "Awesome, over used term but this app is - This app does what other developers said they could not do." -------------------------------------- MORE INFORMATION: - Hardware information - Accuracy of measurements shown for pro users. - Imperial, metric and nautical units. These are the most commonly used and most useful navigation units. All easily changeable from the screen in use. - Does not require internet access and does not use cellular data. - Essential tool for any power user. (e.g. navigators, yachtsmen, pilots, app developers) - Share your location by text message, email etc. The format contains all essential information for improved accuracy. - Works with Garmin Glo. - GPS Diagnostic™ is a professional GPS test and measurement utility for your iPhone and iPad.

Screenshots

GNSS View2 screens
GPS Diagnostic4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: GNSS View at Free against GPS Diagnostic's $2.99. GNSS View also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). GPS Diagnostic's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). 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

GNSS View is free to download; GPS Diagnostic costs $2.99 up front. GPS Diagnostic sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. GNSS View asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GPS Diagnostic holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GPS Diagnostic has 554 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of GNSS View's written reviews are positive against 78% of GPS Diagnostic's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GNSS View ships an update every 7 months, GPS Diagnostic every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
GNSS View versus GPS Diagnostic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGNSS ViewGPS Diagnostic
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.3 (19 ratings)4.6 (554 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.8% of reviews78.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings19554 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#94 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS14.08.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNEC CorporationDavid Ryall

Customer experience

GNSS View

All ratings19 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive68.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative25.0%

GPS Diagnostic

All ratings546 ratings
Positive91.4%
Neutral3.1%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews209 reviews
Positive78.0%
Neutral3.8%
Negative18.2%

Bugs and requests

GNSS View

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

GPS Diagnostic

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes on startup for some users
  • Fails to detect GPS signal on certain devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Display number of satellites in view and locked
  • Expand satellite signal strength graph to show more satellites
  • Add support for landscape mode
  • Provide more detailed GPS information (e.g., HDOP, VDOP)

In-app purchases

None

GNSS View

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

GPS Diagnostic

One-time1
  • Coordinates-ProFree

Questions

Is GNSS View free?
GNSS View is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GPS Diagnostic free?
GPS Diagnostic costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GNSS View or GPS Diagnostic?
GPS Diagnostic is rated higher. GNSS View averages 4.3 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while GPS Diagnostic averages 4.6 from 554 ratings.
Do GNSS View or GPS Diagnostic have ads?
Neither GNSS View nor GPS Diagnostic shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GNSS View or GPS Diagnostic?
GNSS View ships an update every 7 months, and GPS Diagnostic every 3 weeks. Most recently, GNSS View was updated on November 6, 2026 and GPS Diagnostic on November 6, 2026.

Other comparisons