# Common App vs ALEKS Prep

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Common App at none against ALEKS Prep's 2. Common App also leads on chart position (#35 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). ALEKS Prep's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 9 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ALEKS Prep sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Common App asks for nothing beyond the download.

Common App ships an update every 9 months, ALEKS Prep every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Common App | ALEKS Prep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | **#35** | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Common Application](https://appshunter.io/developer/1030434052) | [Hermes Inteligencia Digital Ltda](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896694873) |

## What reviewers say

### Common App

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

**Currently charting:** #35 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


### ALEKS Prep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aleks-prep-math-placement/id6789260549)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ALEKS Prep Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| ALEKS Prep Monthly | $10.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Common App free?

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

### Is ALEKS Prep free?

ALEKS Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Common App or ALEKS Prep have ads?

Neither Common App nor ALEKS Prep shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Common App or ALEKS Prep?

Common App ships an update every 9 months, and ALEKS Prep every 2 weeks. Most recently, Common App was updated on October 13, 2026 and ALEKS Prep on October 12, 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.*