# Safe Redbirds vs Illinois

The clearest difference is rating: Safe Redbirds at 4.5 against Illinois's 2.7. Safe Redbirds also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 11%) and ads (none vs shown). Illinois's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (117 vs 8). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Safe Redbirds holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Illinois has 117 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Safe Redbirds's written reviews are positive against 11% of Illinois's.

Safe Redbirds ships an update every 11 months, Illinois every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Safe Redbirds | Illinois |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safe-redbirds/id1474967908/reviews)** | [2.7 (117 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/illinois/id1476075513/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **117** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 10.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 24 MB | 124 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Illinois State University](https://appshunter.io/developer/579933715) | [University of Illinois](https://appshunter.io/developer/422670617) |

## What reviewers say

### Safe Redbirds

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safe-redbirds/id1474967908)

This app provides Illinois State University students, faculty, and guests with enhanced campus safety. It offers emergency alerts, direct access to safety resources, and tools for personal safety and reporting concerns.

**Highlights:** Emergency alerts and contacts, Campus safety guides (text/video), Virtual Blue Light emergency feature, Request campus escorts (Redbird Safe Walk), Friend Walk location sharing, Tip reporting to campus police, Interactive campus maps

**In-app purchases:** none


### Illinois

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/illinois/id1476075513)

Navigate the University of Illinois with this comprehensive digital companion. Access class schedules, your student ID, campus maps, and event information. Utilize an AI assistant for university-related questions and discover wellness resources.

**Highlights:** Customizable home screen, Class schedules and locations, Digital student ID and bus pass, AI-powered university assistant, Interactive campus maps with amenities, Campus event listings, Wellness resources

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Safe Redbirds free?

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

### Is Illinois free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Safe Redbirds or Illinois?

Safe Redbirds is rated higher. Safe Redbirds averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Illinois averages 2.7 from 117 ratings.

### Do Safe Redbirds or Illinois have ads?

Illinois shows ads; Safe Redbirds does not.

### Which is updated more often, Safe Redbirds or Illinois?

Safe Redbirds ships an update every 11 months, and Illinois every 5 weeks. Most recently, Safe Redbirds was updated on June 9, 2026 and Illinois on September 15, 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.*