Comparison

VandySafe vs CIEE Study Abroad

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

CIEE Study Abroad

Discover and apply to study abroad programs tailored to your university. Explore program details, save favorites, view media, read student blogs, and find scholarships. Initiate and submit applications directly within the app, and connect with advisors and alumni for support.

Highlights
  • Discover university-approved programs
  • Save favorite programs
  • Browse program media and blogs
  • View available scholarships
  • Apply directly from the app
  • Contact advisors and alumni
Features
Read full description

Find the perfect Study Abroad program for you! The CIEE App shows you the programs approved by your University, featured and popular programs, and more! Save your Favorite programs for later, browse videos and pictures from every program, read blogs written by students like you, view available scholarships, and much more. When you’ve found the perfect program you can start and submit your application right from the app. If you have questions along the way, the app makes it easy to reach out to advisors at CIEE and alumni on your campus.

Screenshots

VandySafe4 screens
CIEE Study Abroad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CIEE Study Abroad at 4.3 against VandySafe's 3.8. CIEE Study Abroad also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 9 months). VandySafe's advantage is ratings volume (21 vs 6). 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

CIEE Study Abroad holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 21 and 6 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VandySafe ships an update every 9 months, CIEE Study Abroad every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
VandySafe versus CIEE Study Abroad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVandySafeCIEE Study Abroad
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (21 ratings)4.3 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—83.3% of reviews
Number of ratings21 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB81 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVanderbilt UniversityCIEE, INC.

Customer experience

VandySafe

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

CIEE Study Abroad

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

None

VandySafe

No in-app purchases

None

CIEE Study Abroad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VandySafe free?
VandySafe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CIEE Study Abroad free?
CIEE Study Abroad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VandySafe or CIEE Study Abroad?
CIEE Study Abroad is rated higher. VandySafe averages 3.8 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while CIEE Study Abroad averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do VandySafe or CIEE Study Abroad have ads?
Neither VandySafe nor CIEE Study Abroad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VandySafe or CIEE Study Abroad?
VandySafe ships an update every 9 months, and CIEE Study Abroad every 5 weeks. Most recently, VandySafe was updated on October 24, 2026 and CIEE Study Abroad on October 25, 2026.

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