# PetSmart vs GathrU

The clearest difference is rating: GathrU at 5.0 against PetSmart's 4.0. GathrU also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.4). PetSmart's advantage is ratings volume (31K vs 2) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks). On price and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

GathrU holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PetSmart has 31K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

PetSmart ships an update every 10 days, GathrU every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PetSmart | GathrU |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (31K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/petsmart/id1175467091/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gathru/id6759930020/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **31K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 9.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | — |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#56** | — |
| Size | 138 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | **15.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone** | — |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [PetSmart LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/383283401) | [Liwei Xu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879417108) |

## What reviewers say

### PetSmart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/petsmart/id1175467091)

**Currently charting:** #56 Top Free · Shopping (US App Store)

Shop for pet supplies, book grooming appointments, and manage your pet's care all in one place. Access helpful articles, earn rewards, and find store locations easily. Get everything you need for your furry, feathered, or scaled family members.

**Highlights:** In-app shopping for pet essentials, Buy online, pick up in store (1-hour option), Treats Rewards loyalty program management, In-app salon booking and appointment management, Doggie Day Camp availability check, PetsHotel reservations, Personalized offers and content

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📅 Easy to book appointments
- 🛒 Convenient online shopping
- 💰 Rewards program with coupons

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and bugs
- 🇨🇦 Doesn't work for Canadian customers
- 🤔 Confusing and unintuitive UI
- ⏱️ Slow loading times
- 🔒 Login and account issues

**Reported bugs**

- Payment processing errors
- Disappearing cart items
- Incorrect store location and inventory
- Inability to complete online orders

**Requested features**

- Add barcode scanner for price checks
- Improve search and filtering functionality
- Allow adding favorite items and past orders
- Integrate pet profiles and medical records
- Provide delivery options beyond in-store pickup


### GathrU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gathru/id6759930020)

A campus marketplace exclusively for verified college students to buy, sell, and connect. Find textbooks, dorm furniture, subleases, meal swipes, and roommates. Features auctions, buy-now options, and real-time messaging.

**Highlights:** Buy and sell student items, Auctions and buy-now listings, Housing and roommate search, Meal swipe marketplace, Student service listings, Real-time in-app messaging, University email verification

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PetSmart free?

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

### Is GathrU free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PetSmart or GathrU?

GathrU is rated higher. PetSmart averages 4.0 out of 5 from 31K ratings, while GathrU averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Which is updated more often, PetSmart or GathrU?

PetSmart ships an update every 10 days, and GathrU every 3 weeks. Most recently, PetSmart was updated on October 25, 2026 and GathrU on October 6, 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.*