Comparison

MiniVAN Touch vs Smith College Network

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MiniVAN Touch

This app digitizes political canvassing by allowing users to collect data directly on their mobile devices. It syncs with NGP VAN, streamlining the process of uploading and integrating canvass results into databases.

Highlights
  • Mobile data collection
  • NGP VAN integration
  • Offline data entry
  • Real-time data upload
  • Streamlined data management
Currently charting
Read full description

miniVAN Touch is a mobile canvassing application that integrates with websites provided by NGP VAN. The miniVAN system allows users to export canvassing lists from VAN onto an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Canvassers can then enter data into their device as they talk to people on their list. When the canvassers connect their device to the Internet over a wireless or cellular network, they can upload their data back to the VAN with the touch of a button. Administrative users on the VAN can then review the data and apply it to the database in one quick step. Canvassing with miniVAN allows NGP VAN clients to spend more time and resources on actually contacting people instead of on data entry. What’s more, it virtually eliminates the lag time between collecting canvass results and putting that data to work.

About

Smith College Network

Connect with a global community of over 55,000 alums and students. Leverage a strong network for professional and social contacts, access exclusive content, and manage communication preferences. Discover ways to engage with the college and its communities.

Highlights
  • Global community access
  • Professional and social networking
  • Exclusive Smithie content
  • Communication preference management
  • Community engagement opportunities
Features
Read full description

The Network puts the power of Smith College’s global community of over 55,000 alums and students in your pocket. Conveniently leverage one of the strongest networks in the world by connecting with professional and social contacts, accessing Smithie-only content, managing communication preferences, and discovering ways to engage with Smith and its various communities. Now you can enjoy the perks that come with being a member of The Network.

Screenshots

MiniVAN Touch4 screens
Smith College Network1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MiniVAN Touch at 3.3 against Smith College Network's 2.5. MiniVAN Touch also leads on review sentiment (25% vs 0%) and ratings volume (287 vs 12). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MiniVAN Touch holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MiniVAN Touch has 287 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of MiniVAN Touch's written reviews are positive against 0% of Smith College Network's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
MiniVAN Touch versus Smith College Network: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMiniVAN TouchSmith College Network
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (287 ratings) — better2.5 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews25.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings287 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#198 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNGP VANThe Trustees of The Smith College

Customer experience

MiniVAN Touch

All ratings276 ratings
Positive48.9%
Neutral18.1%
Negative33.0%
Written reviews102 reviews
Positive25.5%
Neutral27.5%
Negative47.1%

Smith College Network

All ratings12 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative58.3%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

MiniVAN Touch

Reported bugs

19 issues
  • App crashes when downloading lists
  • Login loops and authentication failures
  • Two-factor authentication stuck or unresetable
  • Data disappears after switching lists
  • Synced data not visible the next day
Show 14 more
  • App resets to top of list when screen locks
  • Map zooms out unexpectedly when panning
  • Inconsistent swipe gestures for marking status
  • App freezes during extended use
  • Password reset emails not arriving
  • Training video stuck with no exit option
  • Filters not functioning properly
  • App incompatible with some older devices
  • Turf sending only works for one campaign despite selection
  • Data loss on Android devices
  • Keyboard not accessible on iPad for authentication
  • Sync button accidentally triggered during canvassing
  • Randomly logs out without syncing data
  • Cannot edit notes while person marked 'Not Home'

Requested features

18 requests
  • Ability to load and switch between multiple lists simultaneously
  • Geographic sorting instead of alphabetical ordering
  • Automatic route optimization that persists
  • Bulk marking of inaccessible addresses
  • Integrated navigation/directions from map
Show 13 more
  • Progress indicators and motivational messages
  • Spanish language version
  • Ability to see all household members at once
  • Settings to disable repeated training prompts
  • Toggle between different canvass campaigns
  • Mock/training lists for practice
  • Customizable symbology and icons
  • Filter by party affiliation and voter status
  • Phonebanking integration
  • Bulk operations for household management
  • Dark mode toggle option
  • Persistent app state in background
  • Shared notes visible to all canvassers

Smith College Network

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

MiniVAN Touch

No in-app purchases

None

Smith College Network

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MiniVAN Touch free?
MiniVAN Touch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smith College Network free?
Smith College Network is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MiniVAN Touch or Smith College Network?
MiniVAN Touch is rated higher. MiniVAN Touch averages 3.3 out of 5 from 287 ratings, while Smith College Network averages 2.5 from 12 ratings.
Do MiniVAN Touch or Smith College Network have ads?
Neither MiniVAN Touch nor Smith College Network shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MiniVAN Touch or Smith College Network?
MiniVAN Touch ships an update every 2 months, and Smith College Network every 2 months. Most recently, MiniVAN Touch was updated on November 1, 2026 and Smith College Network on November 3, 2026.

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