# My Compass XL vs Help Bird

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.

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

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | My Compass XL | Help Bird |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 18 months** | Every 37 months |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 27 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | **9.2** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Raffaele Amuso](https://appshunter.io/developer/912157295) | [Marcel Dittmann](https://appshunter.io/developer/926474087) |

## What reviewers say

### My Compass XL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/my-compass-xl/id988798318)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Help Bird

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/help-bird/id1079800940)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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.

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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.*