# Canvas by Instructure vs Prin App

Canvas by Instructure and Prin App both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Prin App's written reviews are positive against 27% of Canvas by Instructure's. Canvas by Instructure's advantage is ratings volume (2.8M vs 32) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). 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.

Prin App holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Canvas by Instructure has 2.8M ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Canvas by Instructure's written reviews are positive against 100% of Prin App's.

Canvas by Instructure ships an update every 3 weeks, Prin App every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Canvas by Instructure | Prin App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (2.8M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canvas-by-instructure/id480883488/reviews) | **[4.8 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prin-app/id1544539517/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.8M** | 32 |
| Positive reviews | 26.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#11** | — |
| Size | 216 MB | 79 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Instructure Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/418441198) | [The Principia Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1544539519) |

## What reviewers say

### Canvas by Instructure

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canvas-by-instructure/id480883488)

**Currently charting:** #11 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Access your courses and stay organized with this learning app. Track assignments, submit work, participate in discussions, and even study offline. It supports integrated tools and accessibility features for a seamless educational experience.

**Highlights:** View grades and track assignments, Submit assignments and take quizzes, Join class discussions, Download courses for offline access, Receive push notifications and reminders, Integrated classroom tools and dark mode

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 📚 Easy access to course materials
- 💻 Convenient mobile access
- 📊 Helpful grade tracking
- 🔔 Useful notification system

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔁 Resets when switching apps
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate
- 🙈 Lack of customization options
- 🗓️ Calendar issues

**Reported bugs**

- App freezing and crashing
- Inability to view all course content
- Inconsistent behavior across devices
- Unreliable assignment submission
- Syncing issues between app and website

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved discussion board functionality
- Ability to edit posts/comments
- Integration with personal calendars
- More granular notification controls


### Prin App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prin-app/id1544539517)

This app connects you to your college community, keeping you updated on events, classes, and deadlines. Access campus resources and connect with peers anytime.

**Highlights:** Campus event updates, Class and assignment tracking, Notifications for important dates, Campus resource access, Peer-to-peer connection

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Canvas by Instructure free?

Canvas by Instructure is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Prin App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Canvas by Instructure or Prin App?

Prin App is rated higher. Canvas by Instructure averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.8M ratings, while Prin App averages 4.8 from 32 ratings.

### Do Canvas by Instructure or Prin App have ads?

Neither Canvas by Instructure nor Prin App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Canvas by Instructure or Prin App?

Canvas by Instructure ships an update every 3 weeks, and Prin App every 6 weeks. Most recently, Canvas by Instructure was updated on October 25, 2026 and Prin App on October 25, 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.*