Comparison

VandySafe vs Gradescope

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

Head to head
About

VandySafe

This app provides Vanderbilt University students, faculty, and staff with enhanced safety features. It offers real-time location sharing, emergency contact options, tip reporting, and safety alerts. Access campus maps, crime data, and emergency plans for a secure campus experience.

Highlights
  • Mobile Bluelight for real-time location sharing
  • Emergency and non-emergency contact options
  • Direct safety/security tip reporting
  • Instant safety notifications and instructions
  • Emergency preparedness plans
  • Live chat with campus security
  • Campus maps and crime mapping
Features
Read full description

VandySafe is the official safety app of Vanderbilt University. It is the only app that integrates with Vanderbilt University's safety and security systems. Emergency Preparedness has worked to develop a unique app that provides students, faculty and staff with added safety on the Vanderbilt University campus. The app will send you important safety alerts and provide instant access to campus safety resources. VandySafe features include: - Mobile Bluelight: Send your location to Vanderbilt University security in real-time in case of a crisis - Emergency Contacts: Contact the correct services for the Vanderbilt University area in case of an emergency or a non-emergency concern - Tip Reporting: Multiple ways to report a safety/security concern directly to Vanderbilt University security. - Safety notifications: Receive instant notifications and instructions from campus safety when on-campus emergencies occur. - Emergency Plans: Learn what to do in case of an emergency - Chat with Security: Communicate live with safety staff at Vanderbilt University via chat. - Campus Maps and VandyVans - Find your way around campus. - Crime Mapping: View recent crimes that have occurred on and near campus. - Campus safety resources: access all important safety resources in one convenient app. Download today and ensure that you’re prepared in the event of an emergency.

About

Gradescope

Easily upload assignments for courses using this app. Submit files from your device or scan your work directly. Assign pages for variable-length assignments and resubmit if needed before the deadline.

Highlights
  • Upload assignments
  • Scan documents with camera
  • Select existing files
  • Assign pages for variable-length assignments
  • Resubmit assignments
  • View submitted and graded assignments
Features
Read full description

Students, upload your assignments to Gradescope more easily than ever before! If your instructor uses Gradescope for your assignments, you can now upload your submission with our mobile app. After installing and opening the app, login to see your Gradescope courses and assignments. To upload a submission, click on the assignment in the “Not Submitted” tab and either “Select File” to select an existing file from your device or “Scan” all pages of your completed work using your iPhone’s camera. Once you submit your file(s), for templated assignments, you’re all set. For variable-length assignments, “Assign pages” to indicate where your answer for each question appears within your submission. It’s that easy! After confirming, your assignment then moves to the “Submitted” tab. If needed, you can resubmit your assignment until the due date your instructor set has passed. Once it is graded and grades are published for the assignment, it then moves to the “Graded” tab. Note: For V1 of the app, you will be directed to our mobile website for any advanced functionality, including viewing feedback and submitting timed, programming, or online assignments. Stay tuned for future updates that will allow you to do even more with our mobile app!

Screenshots

VandySafe4 screens
Gradescope4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: VandySafe at 3.7 against Gradescope's 1.4. Gradescope's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (259 vs 20). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

VandySafe holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 1.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Gradescope has 259 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VandySafe ships an update every 9 months, Gradescope every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
VandySafe versus Gradescope: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVandySafeGradescope
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (20 ratings) — better1.4 (259 ratings)
Positive reviews—9.1% of reviews
Number of ratings20259 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVanderbilt UniversityTurnitin

Customer experience

VandySafe

All ratings20 ratings
Positive65.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative25.0%

Gradescope

All ratings259 ratings
Positive7.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative89.2%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive9.1%
Neutral7.1%
Negative83.8%

Bugs and requests

VandySafe

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Gradescope

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Camera flash issues during scanning
  • Photos not uploading in correct order
  • Inconsistent download button behavior

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to sort assignments by due date
  • Integration of tools for instructors
  • Improved iPad and tablet optimization

In-app purchases

None

VandySafe

No in-app purchases

None

Gradescope

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VandySafe free?
VandySafe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Gradescope free?
Gradescope is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VandySafe or Gradescope?
VandySafe is rated higher. VandySafe averages 3.7 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Gradescope averages 1.4 from 259 ratings.
Do VandySafe or Gradescope have ads?
Neither VandySafe nor Gradescope shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VandySafe or Gradescope?
VandySafe ships an update every 9 months, and Gradescope every 2 months. Most recently, VandySafe was updated on October 16, 2026 and Gradescope on October 17, 2026.

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