# Common App vs Codon

The clearest difference is rating: Codon at 5.0 against Common App's 3.0. Codon also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 9 months). Common App's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (673 vs 1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Codon sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Common App asks for nothing beyond the download.

Codon holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Common App has 673 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Common App ships an update every 9 months, Codon every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Common App | Codon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (673 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/common-app/id1533688509/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codon-learn-biology/id6796637767/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **673** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 22.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#35** | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [The Common Application](https://appshunter.io/developer/1030434052) | [OMAR DANIEL GRAZIANO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896485759) |

## 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


### Codon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codon-learn-biology/id6796637767)

Master biology from molecules to ecosystems with a comprehensive, offline curriculum. Explore 100 lessons, researcher profiles, and landmark experiments. Learn mechanisms and track progress with spaced repetition and interactive quizzes.

**Highlights:** Offline biology curriculum, 100 lessons with narration, Researcher profiles, Interactive quizzes with explanations, Spaced repetition learning, Offline access, no account needed, Home screen widgets

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Codon Full Access | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Common App free?

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

### Is Codon free?

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

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

Codon is rated higher. Common App averages 3.0 out of 5 from 673 ratings, while Codon averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Common App or Codon have ads?

Neither Common App nor Codon shows ads.

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

Common App ships an update every 9 months, and Codon every 10 days. Most recently, Common App was updated on October 17, 2026 and Codon on October 13, 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.*