# WS+Absences vs Gradeline

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WS+Absences at none against Gradeline's 2. WS+Absences also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). Gradeline's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Gradeline sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. WS+Absences asks for nothing beyond the download.

WS+Absences ships an update every 4 months, Gradeline every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WS+Absences | Gradeline |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ws-plus-absences/id1437149263/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **4K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 54.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 40 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [West Educational Leasing, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1408779293) | [Mason Systems, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6788116250) |

## What reviewers say

### WS+Absences

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ws-plus-absences/id1437149263)

Easily report student absences directly from your mobile device. This application streamlines the process of notifying the school about a student's absence, ensuring timely communication.

**Highlights:** Report absences from mobile, Streamlined absence reporting, Direct communication with school

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 User-friendly
- 👍 Convenient

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inability to submit absence requests
- 🐛 Inflexible absence policies
- 🐛 Lack of sub selection options
- 🐛 Difficult to navigate

**Reported bugs**

- No reasons show up in drop box for absence
- Once sub accepts a job, other options for the week disappear

**Requested features**

- Allow writing in real reason for absence
- Ability to choose favorite subs
- Visibility of back office for admins


### Gradeline

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gradeline-school-grade-alerts/id6806676113)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WS+Absences free?

WS+Absences is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Gradeline free?

Gradeline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do WS+Absences or Gradeline have ads?

Neither WS+Absences nor Gradeline shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WS+Absences or Gradeline?

WS+Absences ships an update every 4 months, and Gradeline every 3 weeks. Most recently, WS+Absences was updated on October 26, 2026 and Gradeline on October 29, 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.*