Comparison

My Compass XL vs Help Bird

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

Head to head

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About

My Compass XL

Features

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Compass XL is a tool to search bearings (azimuth) using the device built-in magnetic sensors and the device GPS. You can also easy switch from true North and magnetic North. The compass accuracy depends on the performance of your device. If it works perfectly, this means your sensors are perfect, too. If it is inaccurate, please check that you aren't being affected by a magnetic field and the sensors become weakened by age.

About

Help Bird

This app allows you to quickly notify pre-selected contacts about an emergency situation. It sends an SMS or iMessage with your current location to ensure your message is seen by helpers.

Highlights

Emergency contact notification
SMS/iMessage alerts
Current location sharing
Quick assistance request
Pre-selected helper list

Features

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In dangerous or unpleasant situations, it may be difficult to quickly summon assistance. Help Bird helps you to quickly inform several selected persons about your emergency. Thus, increases the chance that your help message is immediately read by a helper. Help Bird sends an SMS or iMessage to all your specified helpers when you request assistance. The message tells your helpers that you are in an emergency situation and also includes your current location.

Screenshots

My Compass XL2 screens

Help Bird3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Help Bird at none against My Compass XL's shown. Help Bird also leads on iOS requirement (9.2 vs 11.0). My Compass XL's advantage is update cadence (every 18 months vs every 37 months). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

My Compass XL ships an update every 18 months, Help Bird every 37 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 5 level

My Compass XL versus Help Bird: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter	My Compass XL	Help Bird
Price	Free	Free
Positive reviews	—	100.0% of reviews
Update frequency	Every 18 months — better	Every 37 months
Ads	Yes	No — better
In-app purchases	No	No
Monetization	—	Free
Devices	iPhone, iPad, iPod — better	iPhone, iPod
Requires iOS	11.0	9.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size	27 MB	14 MB
Age rating	4+	4+
Developer	Raffaele Amuso	Marcel Dittmann

In-app purchases

None

My Compass XL

No in-app purchases

None

Help Bird

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is My Compass XL free?

My Compass XL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

Is Help Bird free?

Help Bird is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

Do My Compass XL or Help Bird have ads?

My Compass XL shows ads; Help Bird does not.

Which is updated more often, My Compass XL or Help Bird?

My Compass XL ships an update every 18 months, and Help Bird every 37 months. Most recently, My Compass XL was updated on October 26, 2026 and Help Bird on October 7, 2026.