11 best compass apps for phones

Instead of buying a traditional compass and having to remember to take it with you every time you want to use it, you can download a compass application to your phone. There are so many compass options on the app store that you feel confused, check out this list to choose a suitable compass app for yourself.

Note : All current iPhones have a built-in compass, you can find it in the Extras or Utilities folder . Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the compass the first time you use it.

1. Compass 360 Pro Free - The best custom compass

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This free Android app promises to work anywhere in the world, suitable for adventure seekers.

Advantage

1. High level of customization with several skins and language settings.
2. You can add a straight or horizontal line to look like a military compass, viewing latitude, longitude and altitude; switch between main North and magnetic North positions; Add magnetic field level to progress bar.

Defect

1. Not available on iOS devices.
2. The free app has ads and there is currently no ad-free premium version.

2. Compass Steel - Compass has strict security measures

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Compass Steel is a simple, ad-free compass app. The app is advertised for its accuracy and strict security measures, including no data collection or tracking.

The self-calibrating app features tilt compensation to help get accurate measurements. It also has sun and moon direction indicators, night vision mode, and multicolored themes to choose from. You can also change the location coordinate format, altitude units, and number of compass directions.

3. KTW Digital Compass - Compass with map with satellite support

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If you're looking for an app with a simple design, KTW Digital Compass might fit the bill. It also includes a map engine with satellite support.

This compass app allows you to find your current location, slope angle, altitude, sensor status and magnetic field strength. It's also useful for determining the direction you're looking in, including direction, azimuth, or degrees.

Built with a magnetometer, accelerometer, and gyroscope, the Digital Compass can be used for a variety of tasks, including TV antenna calibration, horoscope tracking, and Qibla direction determination. The app also lets you add direction pointer markers and calibrate less accurate readings. Simply move your device in a "figure of eight" motion to calibrate.

4. Fulmine Software Compass - Feature-rich compass

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This feature-rich compass app comes in multiple latitude and longitude formats and supports using location codes instead of addresses. This makes it useful in areas where exact addresses are not available.

The app supports status bar notifications for easy access on the lock screen or when using another app. It also allows you to mark your current location to quickly navigate to your destination and copy-paste GPS coordinates on the map.

The app doesn't ask for unnecessary permissions and works without a data connection or GPS, like these offline GPS apps for Android. Additionally, it supports multiple languages, including Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Turkish.

5. Compass & Altimeter - Compass works offline

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Compass & Altimeter is a compass application with a simple interface. Although it works offline, you will need an Internet connection to see your current location address.

The app displays your actual altitude along with some formatting for latitude and longitude. It also displays sunrise and sunset times, supporting multiple coordinate systems.

Additionally, it supports UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) for assigning coordinates on the earth's surface and EGM96 (Earth Gravitational Model) for geoid referencing.

6. Compass Galaxy - The best compass for beginners

If you want a simple app that only offers basic features then this compass app for Android is perfect for you, it's easy to use and doesn't require unnecessary permissions.

Advantage

1. You will receive a notification if correction is required.
2. The app has no ads and requires minimal phone memory.

Defect

1. Not available on iOS devices
2. Requires frequent calibration.

7. Compass Steel 3D - The best compass when traveling at sea

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When installing this application, it will ask you for permission to access your location coordinates for accurate calculations. It is suitable when going boating.

Advantage

1. When you rotate or tilt your phone, this real-life compass will switch to 3D mode, making it feel like you're using a traditional compass.
2. The app can determine the direction of North and Magnetic North and does not require an Internet connection or phone service to operate.

Defect

1. Requires frequent recalibration
2. Not available on iOS devices

8. Smart Compass - The best compass for off - road

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This Android app is a part of the Smart Tools collection of tool apps, which offers useful apps like metal detector, distance measuring app, etc.

Advantage

1. This compass app for Android has telescope modes, night mode, and with street and satellite maps.
2. Standard mode uses the phone's camera to see the actual direction.
3. The app has a GPS speedometer and tools.

Defect

1. Not available on iOS devices.
2. The application supports advertising, if you do not want you can upgrade to the premium version.

9. PixelProse Compass - Compass has magnetic field deviation correction feature

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PixelProse Compass is a compass app that corrects for magnetic declination for optimal accuracy. You can install it easily, even on an SD card, and search for new places by name or address.

This application supports several coordinate formats and displays angles in degrees. It calculates altitude using EGM-96 and displays horizontal accuracy based on the phone's GPS sensor.

This app allows you to find Kaaba directions, save locations to follow later, and shows sunrise and sunset times. You can also use it to calculate altitude above sea level or find the shortest route to a location.

10. Digital Compass: The best compass for exploration

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This compass app for iOS offers many options that can be used with different outdoor apps.

Advantage

1. This compass app has 10 different options.
2. In addition to the location and north direction feature, you can use it to access the ferry and see the direction of the selected location.
3. The app also provides a drop-down list of a few major cities around the world so you can see where they are oriented from your current location.

Defect

1. Not available on Android devices
2. The application supports advertising, if you do not want you can upgrade to the premium version.

11. Commander Compass: Compass with many uses

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Although the application is not free, it contains many useful features and tools.

Advantage

1. This app is created in accordance with military specifications, allowing you to use it in your vehicle and on the road. You can use it to find and track the sun, moon, and stars, determining multiple locations in real time.
2. You can overlay a compass map to visualize the direction you're going and even store locations.

Defect

1. The app uses a lot of battery.

Marvin Fry

Update 02 November 2023