Best Free Compass App for iPhone (Compass App Guide)

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Rob Johnston

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Best Free Compass Apps for iPhone Review

A compass is a common piece of hiking gear. We use these devices to determine which direction we’re traveling. They help you navigate trails and find your way out of the woods when you get lost.

However, even a quality compass may not always provide an accurate bearing.

In these situations, I like to have a backup plan. With the best free compass app for iPhone, I always have a reliable compass available.

Here are the top three options for ensuring that you always know which direction you’re facing.

If you’re still unsure about using an iPhone as a compass after reading my review, then check out my article on the best traditional compasses for day hikes buying guide.

Commander Compass Go

The Commander Compass Go app provides multiple operating modes for outdoor navigation. While the base feature is a compass, it also includes maps and offline GPS. You can also keep track of your speed and altitude.

The interface is detailed and streamlined for convenient operation. It’s very similar to using the standard GPS and directions feature on your iPhone. You can see your movement in real time with a top-down topographical map.

The app includes several additional features that you may find helpful, including the ability to save your positions, add waypoints, and manually enter coordinates.

These features are only useful if the app can provide accurate navigation. To help increase the precision of its calculations, you can track the positions of the sun, moon, and stars. The app then uses the nighttime positioning to calibrate the compass for better accuracy.

When using this app, you can add points and maps before starting on your trip. The app can then track your location and the distance to various waypoints along the trail. In just seconds, you can determine your current location and distance to the next resting point.

Overall, the Commander Compass app is easy to use, providing a simple way to keep track of your location and even navigate your way through a trail.

Compass 55

Similar to the Commander Compass, the Compass 55 iPhone app includes multiple functions. It can also track your location using GPS coordinates and includes a topographical map showing your current location.

The Compass 55 app includes a few details that help it stand out as a powerful navigation tool. With this app, you can import your route from GPX or CSV files.

It also works with both Apple and Google offline maps, allowing you to download accurate maps for offline use. You may also set your waypoints, plan your route, and share data.

The app also provides options for recording your tracks. You can keep an accurate record of your journey and even take photos tagged with GPS coordinates, date and time, and notes.

Besides these features, the app also works as a standalone compass. It can use either GPS coordinates or magnetic calibration to point you in the right direction. It then updates your position in real time on the map.

The interface includes a lot more details and information compared to the other apps. The variety of data is great for those who enjoy analyzing every detail. However, if you prefer a streamlined interface, the other apps may provide a better option.

Gyro Compass

The Gyro Compass offers the simplest interface. Instead of a map, distance, and GPS coordinates, you simply see a digital compass on the screen. You can also choose from a variety of compass designs, including one that resembles an old map.

The app also includes online maps and GPS coordinates. However, these features require an in-app purchase to unlock. They are accessed through the advanced compass mode that also lets you add pins and rotate the map.

Other features include taking screenshots, sharing your GPS location, and calculating the distance between targets. You may also tilt your iPhone to adjust the viewing angle of the maps.

The Gyro Compass offers the least number of features and extras unless you unlock them in the app. However, it is a convenient digital compass that can be used as a backup to your handheld compass.

I’d recommend the Gyro Compass for those who don’t want to track their steps and constantly monitor their GPS locations.

Summary

Keep in mind that these are not the only compass apps available for the iPhone. However, they are some of the most reliable and accurate choices. They are also free, which is always one of the best features.

I personally always use my iPhone as backup to my handheld GPS when backpacking or hiking.