# Common App vs Zing! App

The clearest difference is update cadence: Zing! App at every 3 months against Common App's every 9 months. Common App's advantage is chart position (#38 vs unranked). On price, ads, 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.

Common App ships an update every 9 months, Zing! App every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Common App | Zing! App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (673 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/common-app/id1533688509/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **673** | — |
| Positive reviews | 22.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | **#38** | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Common Application](https://appshunter.io/developer/1030434052) | [Zing Apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1064575344) |

## What reviewers say

### Common App

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

**Currently charting:** #38 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


### Zing! App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zing-app/id1590313367)

**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 Zing! App free?

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

### Do Common App or Zing! App have ads?

Neither Common App nor Zing! App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Common App or Zing! App?

Common App ships an update every 9 months, and Zing! App every 3 months. Most recently, Common App was updated on October 17, 2026 and Zing! App on October 4, 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.*