Comparison

Clearing by Uni Compare vs Common App

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Clearing by Uni Compare

This app assists students in finding university courses during the Clearing process. It allows users to browse live course availability, connect with UK universities directly, and save favorite options. Features include a UCAS calculator and detailed course statistics to help secure a desired place.

Highlights
  • Browse live Clearing course availability
  • Call UK universities directly
  • Save favorite courses and universities
  • UCAS calculator for course options
  • Check graduate salaries and employment rates
  • Improved search and filters
Read full description

Trusted by over 650,000+ students. Your next uni move starts here. Whether you’re preparing early for Clearing 2026, comparing your options before Results Day, or searching for a course at the last minute, Uni Compare gives you everything you need to make your next move with confidence. Find, compare, save, and connect with UK universities, all in one app. Why students use Uni Compare: • Browse live Clearing 2026 courses • Search and compare UK universities • Save courses and unis for later • Register your interest before Results Day • Call universities directly from the app • Use our UCAS points calculator to see your options instantly • Tap straight through to university websites • Discover courses faster with smarter search and filters Whether you’re set on a plan or figuring it out as you go, Uni Compare helps you explore your options and make decisions with confidence. No stress. Just your next step. Terms and Conditions: https://universitycompare.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://universitycompare.com/privacy-policy/

About

Common App

Manage your college applications on the go. This app offers a secure and streamlined way to apply to over 1000 colleges, research financial aid options, and access guidance from counselors, all from your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Apply to 1000+ colleges
  • Research financial aid
  • Get counselor advice
  • Secure application process
  • Mobile convenience
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Simplify your college application experience with Common App for mobile. Common App for mobile provides you with the same secure, streamlined application experience you’ve come to expect from Common App online, all from the convenience of your mobile device. The app seamlessly integrates with the first-year desktop experience — allowing you to apply to more than 1000 colleges, research financial aid, and get advice from counselors. Common App for mobile is free and easy to use. Download the app to navigate your entire college application journey.

Screenshots

Clearing by Uni Compare4 screens
Common App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Clearing by Uni Compare at 4.6 against Common App's 3.1. Clearing by Uni Compare also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 10 months) and review sentiment (36% vs 23%). Common App's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Clearing by Uni Compare holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Common App has 656 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Clearing by Uni Compare's written reviews are positive against 23% of Common App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Clearing by Uni Compare ships an update fortnightly, Common App every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on September 3, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Clearing by Uni Compare versus Common App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterClearing by Uni CompareCommon App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (8 ratings) — better3.1 (656 ratings)
Positive reviews36.4% of reviews — better23.1% of reviews
Number of ratings8656 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 10 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#31 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size89 MB16 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperUniversity CompareThe Common Application

Customer experience

Clearing by Uni Compare

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive36.4%
Neutral13.6%
Negative50.0%

Common App

All ratings656 ratings
Positive48.8%
Neutral8.1%
Negative43.1%
Written reviews117 reviews
Positive23.1%
Neutral5.1%
Negative71.8%

User reviews

Clearing by Uni Compare

From 8 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use and navigate
  • 💡 All information in one place
  • 🚀 Streamlined university search
  • 🤝 Direct contact with universities
  • ✅ Helpful for Clearing

Room to improve

  • ❌ Missing many universities/courses
  • ⚠️ Inaccurate or incomplete data
  • 🚫 Registration issues
  • 📉 Poor navigation/layout
  • 🐛 App crashes/errors

Common App

From 656 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Convenient mobile app
  • 👍 Same functionality as website
  • 🎉 Finally available as an app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🔑 Requires re-login every time
  • 🚫 Doesn't work for transfer students

Bugs and requests

Clearing by Uni Compare

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Cannot register: missing subject interest/preferred university
  • Keyboard covers register button on iOS
  • App crashes when calculating UCAS points
  • Soft internal error preventing loading
  • Black see-through screen during subject selection
Show 8 more
  • App shuts down unexpectedly
  • Cannot scroll down to click register button
  • Lost list of saved universities
  • App crashes when selecting 'university'
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices
  • Calling wrong university
  • University descriptions incorrect

Requested features

13 requests
  • Add missing universities and courses
  • Improve accuracy of university/course data
  • Fix registration process
  • Add National 5 results option
  • Add custom UCAS tariff points input
Show 8 more
  • Add Scottish option for users
  • Add Criminology as a course option
  • Add Diagnostic Radiography as a course option
  • Add PPE as a combined course option
  • Add Physiotherapy as a course option
  • Add Creative Writing as a subject of interest
  • Add Nutrition as a subject of interest
  • Improve display of long course titles

Common App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • White screen on login
  • App doesn't load past logo
  • Redirects transfer students to website

Requested features

3 requests
  • Keep user logged in for longer
  • Increase text box size
  • Add back button navigation

In-app purchases

None

Clearing by Uni Compare

No in-app purchases

None

Common App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Clearing by Uni Compare free?
Clearing by Uni Compare is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Common App free?
Common App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Clearing by Uni Compare or Common App?
Clearing by Uni Compare is rated higher. Clearing by Uni Compare averages 4.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Common App averages 3.1 from 656 ratings.
Do Clearing by Uni Compare or Common App have ads?
Clearing by Uni Compare shows ads; Common App does not.
Which is updated more often, Clearing by Uni Compare or Common App?
Clearing by Uni Compare ships an update fortnightly, and Common App every 10 months. Most recently, Clearing by Uni Compare was updated on September 3, 2026 and Common App on September 21, 2026.

Other comparisons