# Common App vs Bold.org

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bold.org at 95% against Common App's 23%. Bold.org also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.0) and update cadence (weekly vs every 9 months). Common App's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, in-app purchases, chart position and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

Bold.org holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 679 and 3.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of Common App's written reviews are positive against 95% of Bold.org's.

Common App ships an update every 9 months, Bold.org weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Common App | Bold.org |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (679 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/common-app/id1533688509/reviews) | **[4.7 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boldorg-scholarships/id6477827030/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 679 | **3.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 22.9% of reviews | **95.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Best chart rank | **#70** | #89 |
| Size | 16 MB | 118 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Common Application](https://appshunter.io/developer/1030434052) | [Bold.org](https://appshunter.io/developer/1730731181) |

## What reviewers say

### Common App

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

**Currently charting:** #70 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


### Bold.org

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boldorg-scholarships/id6477827030)

**Currently charting:** #89 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Discover and apply for thousands of exclusive scholarships directly from your phone. This platform offers smart matching, one-tap applications for no-essay scholarships, and rewards for engagement, helping students secure funding for their education.

**Highlights:** Thousands of exclusive scholarships, Smart matching to scholarships, One-tap application, No-essay scholarship options, Earn Bold Points rewards, Direct scholarship disbursement

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Safari Extension, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💰 Easy to earn cash back
- 🏆 Helpful for scholarships
- 💳 Convenient debit card
- 💸 Rewards for spending
- 🤑 Ability to pay off student loans

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Slow to redeem points
- 🔍 Lack of transparency on scholarships
- 🤖 Automated responses from support
- 🔒 Difficulty managing settings
- 💱 Limited cash back options

**Reported bugs**

- Account login issues
- Glitches with point redemption
- Compatibility problems with older devices

**Requested features**

- Apply for scholarships directly in the app
- More frequent point updates
- Ability to dispute charges
- Daily login bonus in the app
- Dark mode option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Common App free?

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

### Is Bold.org free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Common App or Bold.org?

Bold.org is rated higher. Common App averages 3.0 out of 5 from 679 ratings, while Bold.org averages 4.7 from 3.2K ratings.

### Do Common App or Bold.org have ads?

Bold.org shows ads; Common App does not.

### Which is updated more often, Common App or Bold.org?

Common App ships an update every 9 months, and Bold.org weekly. Most recently, Common App was updated on November 7, 2026 and Bold.org on November 8, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Common App or Bold.org?

Common App currently peaks at #70 in the App Store charts, and Bold.org at #89. 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.*