# Common App vs BigFuture School

The clearest difference is rating: BigFuture School at 4.6 against Common App's 3.1. BigFuture School also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 10 months) and ratings volume (18K vs 656). Common App's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and chart position (#30 vs #112). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

BigFuture School holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BigFuture School has 18K ratings behind it against 656, 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 28% of BigFuture School's.

Common App ships an update every 10 months, BigFuture School monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Common App | BigFuture School |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (656 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/common-app/id1533688509/reviews) | **[4.6 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bigfuture-school/id6462904878/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 656 | **18K** |
| Positive reviews | 23.1% of reviews | **28.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#30** | #112 |
| Size | 16 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Common Application](https://appshunter.io/developer/1030434052) | [The College Board](https://appshunter.io/developer/361264757) |

## What reviewers say

### Common App

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

**Currently charting:** #30 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


### BigFuture School

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bigfuture-school/id6462904878)

**Currently charting:** #112 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

This app provides students with access to their test scores and personalized college and career information. It helps users plan and pay for college, and connects them with potential scholarship programs. Access requires a mobile number provided during a qualifying test.

**Highlights:** Access test scores, Connect with colleges and scholarships, Personalized career information, College planning and payment guidance

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Helpful information and resources
- 🚀 Straightforward navigation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Login issues
- 🐛 Scores not showing up
- 🐛 Compatibility problems
- 🐛 Unresponsive customer support

**Reported bugs**

- Multiple accounts linked to one phone number
- Recovery email not working
- Scores not syncing between app and website

**Requested features**

- Ability to change phone number
- Better integration with College Board website
- More customization options
- Faster score reporting


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Common App free?

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

### Is BigFuture School free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Common App or BigFuture School?

BigFuture School is rated higher. Common App averages 3.1 out of 5 from 656 ratings, while BigFuture School averages 4.6 from 18K ratings.

### Do Common App or BigFuture School have ads?

Neither Common App nor BigFuture School shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Common App or BigFuture School?

Common App ships an update every 10 months, and BigFuture School monthly. Most recently, Common App was updated on September 21, 2026 and BigFuture School on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Common App or BigFuture School?

Common App currently peaks at #30 in the App Store charts, and BigFuture School at #112. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*