# Common App vs UStrive App

Common App and UStrive App both sit at 3.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 57% of UStrive App's written reviews are positive against 23% of Common App's. UStrive App also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 9 months). Common App's advantage is ratings volume (673 vs 11) and chart position (#39 vs unranked). On price, rating, 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.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.0 for Common App against 2.9 for UStrive App. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Common App has 673 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 23% of Common App's written reviews are positive against 57% of UStrive App's.

Common App ships an update every 9 months, UStrive App every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and August 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Common App | UStrive App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (673 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/common-app/id1533688509/reviews)** | [2.9 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ustrive-app/id6749835492/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **673** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | 22.9% of reviews | **57.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#39** | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [The Common Application](https://appshunter.io/developer/1030434052) | [UStrive](https://appshunter.io/developer/1832382635) |

## What reviewers say

### Common App

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

**Currently charting:** #39 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


### UStrive App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ustrive-app/id6749835492)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**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 UStrive App free?

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

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

Common App is rated higher. Common App averages 3.0 out of 5 from 673 ratings, while UStrive App averages 2.9 from 11 ratings.

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

Neither Common App nor UStrive App shows ads.

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

Common App ships an update every 9 months, and UStrive App every 5 weeks. Most recently, Common App was updated on September 26, 2026 and UStrive App on August 9, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*