# Parentapps Connect vs Arbor Parent App

Parentapps Connect and Arbor Parent App both sit at 2.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 36% of Parentapps Connect's written reviews are positive against 2% of Arbor Parent App's. Parentapps Connect also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). Arbor Parent App's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 2.0 for Parentapps Connect against 1.9 for Arbor Parent App. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 8 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 36% of Parentapps Connect's written reviews are positive against 2% of Arbor Parent App's.

Parentapps Connect ships an update every 2 months, Arbor Parent App monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Parentapps Connect | Arbor Parent App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parentapps-connect/id1440730909/reviews)** | [1.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arbor-parent-app/id1448707412/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **8** |
| Positive reviews | **35.9% of reviews** | 2.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 10 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [VenturEd Solutions LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1811371542) | [Arbor Education Partners](https://appshunter.io/developer/602224921) |

## What reviewers say

### Parentapps Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parentapps-connect/id1440730909)

Streamline communication between parents and schools with a comprehensive platform. Easily report absences, manage consent forms, and stay updated on school events and messages. Connect with teachers and receive important notifications directly through the app.

**Highlights:** Absence reporting, Electronic consent forms, Multiple family member access, Calendar and term dates, Electronic newsletters, Messaging, Parents evening booking

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Centralized information source
- 👍 Easy to use (when working)
- 👍 Useful for school communication
- 👍 Calendar integration
- 👍 Reduces paper usage

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constantly crashing
- 🐛 Frequent login issues
- 🐛 App not opening
- 🐛 Messages not coming through
- 🐛 Unreliable notifications

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on opening
- App closes immediately after opening
- Cannot log in
- App not finding school
- Login loop

**Requested features**

- Ability to delete read messages
- Print function for newsletters/homework
- Fingerprint access
- Flag/favorite messages
- Option for step-parents


### Arbor Parent App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arbor-parent-app/id1448707412)

Manage your child's school life from one app. Track attendance, behavior, and academic progress. Book parent consultations, register for clubs and trips, and handle payments easily. Add medical information and check homework assignments.

**Highlights:** Track attendance and behavior, Monitor academic progress, Register for clubs and trips, Manage payments for meals and trips, Book parent consultations, View child's timetable, Check homework assignments

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Versatile and has many options
- 👍 Good app for parents to view child's progress

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent login issues
- 👎 Confusing and unintuitive layout
- 🔒 Forced password changes every 180 days
- 💳 No option to add reminders for low meal balance
- 🤯 Complicated to book clubs and appointments

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues with incorrect password errors
- Inconsistent behavior across web and mobile versions
- Inability to delete or archive old assignments and activities

**Requested features**

- Add a calendar view for events and appointments
- Improve messaging functionality with better organization and notifications
- Allow parents to manage multiple children from a single account
- Integrate with digital wallets and enable auto top-up for meal balances


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Parentapps Connect free?

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

### Is Arbor Parent App free?

Arbor Parent App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Parentapps Connect or Arbor Parent App?

Parentapps Connect is rated higher. Parentapps Connect averages 2.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Arbor Parent App averages 1.9 from 8 ratings.

### Do Parentapps Connect or Arbor Parent App have ads?

Neither Parentapps Connect nor Arbor Parent App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Parentapps Connect or Arbor Parent App?

Parentapps Connect ships an update every 2 months, and Arbor Parent App monthly. Most recently, Parentapps Connect was updated on September 23, 2026 and Arbor Parent App on September 25, 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.*