Common App vs Prin App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Common App
Manage your college applications on the go. This app offers a secure and streamlined way to apply to over 1000 colleges, research financial aid options, and access guidance from counselors, all from your mobile device.
- Apply to 1000+ colleges
- Research financial aid
- Get counselor advice
- Secure application process
- Mobile convenience
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Simplify your college application experience with Common App for mobile. Common App for mobile provides you with the same secure, streamlined application experience you’ve come to expect from Common App online, all from the convenience of your mobile device. The app seamlessly integrates with the first-year desktop experience — allowing you to apply to more than 1000 colleges, research financial aid, and get advice from counselors. Common App for mobile is free and easy to use. Download the app to navigate your entire college application journey.
Prin App
This app connects you to your college community, keeping you updated on events, classes, and deadlines. Access campus resources and connect with peers anytime.
- Campus event updates
- Class and assignment tracking
- Notifications for important dates
- Campus resource access
- Peer-to-peer connection
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Stay connected to everything happening at Principia College with the Prin App. Get real-time updates on campus events, academic deadlines, and student life all in one place designed for the Principia community. Whether you're checking the dining hall menu, RSVPing to a campus event, following your favorite student organizations, or catching up on news and announcements, Prin App keeps you plugged in wherever you are.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Prin App at 100% against Common App's 23%. Prin App also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 9 months). Common App's advantage is ratings volume (677 vs 32) and chart position (#25 vs unranked). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Prin App holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Common App has 677 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of Common App's written reviews are positive against 100% of Prin App's.
Common App ships an update every 9 months, Prin App every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Common App | Prin App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (677 ratings) | 4.8 (32 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 22.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 677 — better | 32 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #25 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 63 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | The Common Application | The Principia Corporation |
Customer experience
Common App
Prin App
Bugs and requests
Common App
Reported bugs
3 issues- White screen on login
- App doesn't load past logo
- Redirects transfer students to website
Requested features
3 requests- Keep user logged in for longer
- Increase text box size
- Add back button navigation
Prin App
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Common App
No in-app purchases
Prin App
No in-app purchases
