# GNSS Status vs Compass & Altimeter

The clearest difference is rating: Compass & Altimeter at 4.6 against GNSS Status's 3.3. Compass & Altimeter also leads on ratings volume (2.5K vs 6) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). GNSS Status's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Compass & Altimeter sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. GNSS Status asks for nothing beyond the download.

Compass & Altimeter holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Compass & Altimeter has 2.5K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of GNSS Status's written reviews are positive against 46% of Compass & Altimeter's.

GNSS Status ships an update every 2 months, Compass & Altimeter monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GNSS Status | Compass & Altimeter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gnss-status/id932189198/reviews) | **[4.6 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-and-altimeter/id1624852951/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **2.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 37.5% of reviews | **46.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#122** |
| Size | 61 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.3** | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Trimble Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/322561665) | [明力 王](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460236088) |

## What reviewers say

### GNSS Status

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gnss-status/id932189198)

This utility allows users to configure specific GNSS receivers and view their status. It collects log files for troubleshooting without collecting personally identifiable information, ensuring user privacy.

**Highlights:** Configure Trimble R1, R2, PG200 receivers, View GNSS status information, Collect log files for troubleshooting, No personally identifying information collected, User-controlled log file sharing

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Compass & Altimeter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compass-and-altimeter/id1624852951)

**Currently charting:** #122 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides precise geographical orientation with a compass and displays vital data like altitude, weather, and location. It helps users navigate, record locations, and measure real-time GPS speed, making it a useful travel companion.

**Highlights:** Accurate compass functionality, Display altitude, longitude, and latitude, Real-time weather information, Location recording, GPS speed measurement

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compass Premium | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Compass Premium | $3.99 | per month |
| Compass Premium | $18.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Useful compass feature
- 🚀 Smooth performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate on iPad mini
- 🐛 Drifts out of alignment over time
- 💰 Forced premium subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Compass doesn't move
- Latitude/longitude doesn't work
- Difficult to cancel subscription

**Requested features**

- Add km/h speed option
- Improve iPad landscape mode support
- Provide a free version


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GNSS Status free?

GNSS Status is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Compass & Altimeter free?

Compass & Altimeter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, GNSS Status or Compass & Altimeter?

Compass & Altimeter is rated higher. GNSS Status averages 3.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Compass & Altimeter averages 4.6 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do GNSS Status or Compass & Altimeter have ads?

Compass & Altimeter shows ads; GNSS Status does not.

### Which is updated more often, GNSS Status or Compass & Altimeter?

GNSS Status ships an update every 2 months, and Compass & Altimeter monthly. Most recently, GNSS Status was updated on November 3, 2026 and Compass & Altimeter on November 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*