A compass is a navigation instrument used for direction-finding and coordination that shows course relative to the geographic cardinal directions. The ancient compasses were made from lodestone (a naturally magnetized ore of iron). Over the years, there were revolutionary changes in compass. In fact, nowadays, you don’t have to carry the compass with you, thanks to the compass apps available on IOS and Android.
With the rise of the smartphone, GPS device, and smartwatches now it’s easier than ever to rely on an electronic compass. There are thousands of compass apps available in the Apple play store and Google play store. We have picked some of the best compass apps of 2021 for IOS and Android. Let’s have a look at them.
Best Compass Apps of 2021 for IOS
1.Smart Compass
Smart Compass is developed by Tien Nguyen, and it is one of the best basic compasses available for Apple users. This compass is very easy to use. This compass has some features that more powerful compasses on this list possess. This app performs the basic function of an electronic compass. This app turns a smartphone into an accurate compass. Moreover, you will be able to see the exact bearings to the location you point it at.
Like other compasses, this compass lets you see your speed, coordinates, bearing information. It also captures the screen when needed. This app is available in both a free and paid version. The paid version lets you share your information and receive an integrated metal detector. The best part of this app is it supports Google maps. This app features few moods like a digital compass, night mode, and telescope mode. All these features make this app an all-rounder.
Main Features
- Creative metro style design
- Simple and comprehensive
- User-friendly
- Includes angle and azimuth
- Great for orienteering
2. Commander Compass Go
Commander Compass Go is developed by Pavel Ahafonau. This app has a lot of features. It let you use the app with different map backgrounds to help you get an enhanced sense of the course you’re heading in. You can navigate the location by entering points manually and can save them for future uses. This app shows coordinates in various formats, including vertical speed, maximum speed, current speed, course, and altitude. Unfortunately, the user interface is a bit hard to swallow.
You can save and see directions for multiple points simultaneously. This feature is great for proximity purposes. When you type the location, you will see the speed, time of arrival, elevation, azimuth, direction, and distance. So this is an advanced level app, and you may require some time to figure out the functions. Once you figure out all the features, you will find it very useful.
Main Features
- Gyrocompass and Compass
- Navigation, Tracker, and Finder
- Altimeter, Speedometer, and GPS
- Maps and Navigate by Stars
- Astro-navigation mode
3.Compass 55. Map & GPS kit.
There is hardly any app like the Compass 55. Map & GPS kit. Available that offers so much for a free version. This is a fully navigational app that features a speedometer, routes, maps, waypoints, navigation, direction, distance, GPS (multiple formats), and a compass. This app is available in both a free and paid version. Compass 55 Map & GPS kit is developed by Kalimex-Consulting s.r.o. @Blocoware & Stanislav Dvoychenko.
This app comes with a coordinate converter. Coordinate converter allows you to switch between the three common coordinating systems, including MGRS, UTM, and Lat/Long. You can also share the files with your digital devices. The pace counter lets you track the walking distances. In the pro version, you will be able to use the native Google maps. You will also get the ability to add your own map server. This is a very convenient application.
Main Features
- GPS coordinates in six formats
- Advanced target editor
- Speedometer and compass
- Track course information
4.Altimeter GPS with barometer
Altimeter GPS with barometer is a very popular compass app available in the Apple app store. You will find nearly everything you could ever need in a navigation app. For the basic version, there are features like distance, direction, time traveled, speed information, etc. There are various maps available that you can use in conjunction with the compass. These maps include standard topo maps, aerial photography maps and hybrid maps. These maps will assist you in getting where you want to be.
The best part of this compass app is, it will show your altitude and can show your estimated GPS accuracy. So while traveling, you can check whether you are getting off course. This app shows information about your speed, distance, time, location, and direction. Moreover, you can share the data via emails to keep the record or ask for help. This is a fully-featured navigation tool that can save you from troubling situations.
Main Features
- Altitude and speed readings
- Barometer altitude measurement
- Calculates Sunrise and Sunset
- Compass with place finder
5.3D Compass Max
If you are looking for a 3D compass app, then you can download 3D Compass Max. You can use the phone camera to show a 3D compass, map, coordinates, address, speed, and time. This app has a very easy user interface so you can easily use this app. You don’t have to be an expert to use all the features of this application. The augmented reality view uses the camera to get a bearing toward an object or take a video. You can easily share the video with your friends.
This app is an excellent choice for people who are interested in orienteering. This is a great app for a beginner. They will have the chance to learn the relationship between bearings and travel. This app is fun to use. You can use this app on iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4+ and iPads.
Main Features
- Augmented Reality Mode
- 3D compass
- Share videos with your friends
Best Compass Apps of 2021 for Android
1.Compass 360 Pro
Compass 360 Pro is a very simple app with tons of amazing features. This app is developed by Compass 360 Pro Team. You can use this compass app for most of the outdoor activities like travel, picnics, camping, hiking, boating, etc. Unlike some other apps that work in one hemisphere, this app works perfectly all over the world.
This amazing application lets you see all the bearing and degrees in decimal format. If you have minimum navigational knowledge, you will find this app very enjoyable. It will show your bearings in magnetic north and true north which is very handy for using with a topographic map or for a general navigation. The overall interface of this app is smooth, clean, classic, and professional.
Main Features
- Worldwide functionality
- Professional design
- Dampened compass card
- Traditional Compass
2.Digital Compass
Digital Compass is developed by Axiomatic Inc. This is a very stylish compass app with a black background. If you aren’t using a magnetic cover, you are good to use this application. This is a very popular app among the android users. This app has a user-friendly user interface so you don’t have to be an expert to use this app.
It’s mandatory to have an integrated compass sensor in your phone to use this application. Most of the smartphones nowadays have an integrated compass sensor so you don’t have to worry too much about it. It also has a metal detector option. Some other features of this compass app are sensor status, slope level meter, magnetic strength, magnetic heading, true heading, address, longitude, and latitude.
Main Features
- Sensor status
- Slope level meter
- Magnetic heading
- Latitude and longitude
3.Compass for Android
If you are looking for a compass app that works best in America, then you should consider using the Compass for Android. This is a basic compass app best for people with limited navigation knowledge. This app is full of different features. The on-screen degrees and directions are large enough for easy viewing.
This app also requires an integrated compass sensor in the phone to use it. While using the app, you have to keep your phone parallel to the ground and turn the phone towards the red around. For the best result, you have to keep your phone away from places with high magnetic fields, machinery, and metal objects.
Main Features
- Features optional interfaces
- Minimalistic design
- Large number
- Exact degrees and location
4.Digital Field Compass
Digital Field Compass is a very simple yet powerful compass app available in the Google play store. This app is developed by Chartcross Limited. You will get all the features that a compass app requires. This app is very light on battery use to preserve battery power. This app includes a nighttime mode to preserve the night vision of the user.
This app has a manual declination setting; besides, it can tell if you have magnetic interference. This is one of the best digital orienteering compasses available in the play store. It has pitch and roll setting which makes it a solid maritime compass. The best part of this app is you can adjust the Declination for your current location.
Main Features
- Night mode with dimmed red colors
- Orientation field
- True North reference option
- Declination field
5.Marine Compass
If you do water activities like fishing, kayaking, boating frequently, then you can use the marine compass. This compass app is very helpful when you are traveling on a boat or a ship. It is an amazing application with features like a 3-D dimension, big text, etc. While using this app, you can set a display location with GPS. The best thing about this app is while moving around, the compass will always stay parallel to the floor.
This compass supports different compass mode that includes object like aiming cube or the XYZ arrows. While using the GPS latitude and longitude will display under the heading display. This is a free app, and there are no ads to disturb you. This is one of the best compass apps available in Google play store.
Main Features
- Augmented reality
- 3-D dimension
- Show heading and big text
Final Thoughts
If you are a frequent outdoor activist, then an electronic compass is an ideal choice for you. Most of the compass apps we have mentioned above are available in a free version and they offer most features that make them best compass apps. So download an app that suits your requirements and start exploring the outdoor.
