# Columbus Connect vs DataShield

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Columbus Connect at none against DataShield's 4. DataShield's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DataShield sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Columbus Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.

Columbus Connect ships an update every 5 months, DataShield weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Columbus Connect | DataShield |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datashield-privacy-protector/id6759299580/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **5** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 47 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GOGov, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/351223719) | [Emelian, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1751841489) |

## What reviewers say

### Columbus Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/columbus-connect/id1579065653)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### DataShield

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datashield-privacy-protector/id6759299580)

This app scans over 400 data broker sites to find and automatically remove your personal information. It offers ongoing monitoring to prevent relisting and helps reduce spam and identity theft risks.

**Highlights:** Scans 400+ data broker sites, Automated opt-out submissions, Continuous monitoring for data relisting, Reduces spam calls and phishing emails, Removes name, address, phone, and email, Privacy dashboard

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited access | $4.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $9.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Columbus Connect free?

Columbus Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is DataShield free?

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

### Do Columbus Connect or DataShield have ads?

Neither Columbus Connect nor DataShield shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Columbus Connect or DataShield?

Columbus Connect ships an update every 5 months, and DataShield weekly. Most recently, Columbus Connect was updated on September 19, 2026 and DataShield on September 24, 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.*