Common App vs UStrive 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.
UStrive App
This platform connects students and young professionals with experienced mentors for personalized guidance on college and career goals. It offers one-on-one support through in-app messaging, audio, and video calls to help users succeed.
- Connect with experienced mentors
- Personalized college and career guidance
- In-app messaging, audio, and video calls
- Match mentors based on goals
- 1-on-1 support for success
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Achieve Your College and Career Goals with UStrive UStrive is a free, online mentoring platform that helps students and young professionals connect with experienced mentors for personalized guidance. Whether you're preparing for college, exploring career paths, or looking for support along your journey, UStrive makes it easy to get the help you need. Chat with your mentor through in-app messaging, phone calls, or video calls—anytime, anywhere. All mentoring is 1-on-1, and designed to help you succeed. Features: • Match with a mentor based on your goals • Communicate via messaging, audio, or video—right in the app • Get support with college applications, career planning, and more • 100% free to use Start building your future with the guidance of someone who’s been there.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: UStrive App at 57% against Common App's 23%. UStrive App also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 10 months). Common App's advantage is ratings volume (656 vs 11) and rating (3.1 vs 2.9). 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.
Common App holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Common App has 656 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 23% of Common App's written reviews are positive against 57% of UStrive App's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Common App ships an update every 10 months, UStrive App every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and August 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Common App | UStrive App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (656 ratings) — better | 2.9 (11 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 23.1% of reviews | 57.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 656 — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #29 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 46 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | The Common Application | UStrive |
Customer experience
Common App
UStrive 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
UStrive App
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Common App
No in-app purchases
UStrive App
No in-app purchases
