# CampusShield vs Merced Connect

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Merced Connect at 100% against CampusShield's 55%. Merced Connect also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.3) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). CampusShield's advantage is ratings volume (90 vs 4) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Merced Connect holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CampusShield has 90 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of CampusShield's written reviews are positive against 100% of Merced Connect's.

CampusShield ships an update every 2 months, Merced Connect monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 4, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CampusShield | Merced Connect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (90 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/campusshield/id1019136154/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merced-connect/id6743304860/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **90** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 54.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 43 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.2** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [911Cellular](https://appshunter.io/developer/1107605923) | [City of Merced](https://appshunter.io/developer/1531209605) |

## What reviewers say

### CampusShield

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/campusshield/id1019136154)

This mobile safety app acts as a software panic button, connecting you instantly to campus security. Receive emergency alerts via push notification and stay informed about campus events and happenings.

**Highlights:** Software panic button, Emergency alerts via push notification, Instant connection to campus security, Campus event information, Mobile safety tool

**In-app purchases:** none


### Merced Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merced-connect/id6743304860)

Access city services and stay informed with the official app for the City of Merced. Submit service requests, view council meeting information, and find community volunteer opportunities.

**Highlights:** Submit service requests, View city council agendas and minutes, Make public records requests, Find volunteer opportunities, Receive city updates

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CampusShield free?

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

### Is Merced Connect free?

Merced Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, CampusShield or Merced Connect?

Merced Connect is rated higher. CampusShield averages 4.3 out of 5 from 90 ratings, while Merced Connect averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do CampusShield or Merced Connect have ads?

Neither CampusShield nor Merced Connect shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CampusShield or Merced Connect?

CampusShield ships an update every 2 months, and Merced Connect monthly. Most recently, CampusShield was updated on September 4, 2026 and Merced Connect on September 16, 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.*