# Common App vs Prin App

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Common App | Prin App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (677 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/common-app/id1533688509/reviews) | **[4.8 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prin-app/id1544539517/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **677** | 32 |
| Positive reviews | 22.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#25** | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 63 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [The Common Application](https://appshunter.io/developer/1030434052) | [The Principia Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1544539519) |

## What reviewers say

### Common App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/common-app/id1533688509)

**Currently charting:** #25 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** Apply to 1000+ colleges, Research financial aid, Get counselor advice, Secure application process, Mobile convenience

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient mobile app
- 👍 Same functionality as website
- 🎉 Finally available as an app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🔑 Requires re-login every time
- 🚫 Doesn't work for transfer students

**Reported bugs**

- White screen on login
- App doesn't load past logo
- Redirects transfer students to website

**Requested features**

- Keep user logged in for longer
- Increase text box size
- Add back button navigation


### Prin App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prin-app/id1544539517)

This app connects you to your college community, keeping you updated on events, classes, and deadlines. Access campus resources and connect with peers anytime.

**Highlights:** Campus event updates, Class and assignment tracking, Notifications for important dates, Campus resource access, Peer-to-peer connection

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Common App free?

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

### Is Prin App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Common App or Prin App?

Prin App is rated higher. Common App averages 3.0 out of 5 from 677 ratings, while Prin App averages 4.8 from 32 ratings.

### Do Common App or Prin App have ads?

Neither Common App nor Prin App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Common App or Prin App?

Common App ships an update every 9 months, and Prin App every 6 weeks. Most recently, Common App was updated on October 21, 2026 and Prin App on October 14, 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.*