# Volunteer Connection vs IPPS

The clearest difference is rating: Volunteer Connection at 4.7 against IPPS's 1.5. Volunteer Connection also leads on review sentiment (47% vs 7%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Volunteer Connection holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Volunteer Connection has 3.3K ratings behind it against 257, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Volunteer Connection's written reviews are positive against 7% of IPPS's.

Volunteer Connection ships an update every 2 months, IPPS every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Volunteer Connection | IPPS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/volunteer-connection/id896767062/reviews)** | [1.5 (257 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ipps-a-launch-platform/id1555325361/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.3K** | 257 |
| Positive reviews | **47.3% of reviews** | 6.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 87 MB | 211 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Digital Cheetah Solutions, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/325304068) | [TRADOC Mobile](https://appshunter.io/developer/960437358) |

## What reviewers say

### Volunteer Connection

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/volunteer-connection/id896767062)

Manage your volunteer activities with the American Red Cross. This app allows registered volunteers to easily register for shifts, update contact details, and submit hours. It's designed to enhance engagement and streamline the volunteer experience.

**Highlights:** Register for shifts, Update contact information, Submit volunteer hours, Manage volunteer activity, Enhance volunteer engagement

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient to use
- 💡 Great volunteer-centric app
- 🚀 Quick and easy to log hours
- 🚀 Seamless process, no lags

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Login/sign-in issues
- 🐛 Inconsistent/limited functionality
- 🐛 Compatibility problems
- 🐛 Frequent crashes/loading problems

**Reported bugs**

- Cannot log hours due to calendar issues
- App support center no longer exists
- Cannot find needed training in the app
- App does not recognize saved login credentials

**Requested features**

- Add total hours worked in hours manager
- Improve search functionality and consistency
- Allow updating availability directly in the app
- Add ability to favorite/comment on recent activity posts


### IPPS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ipps-a-launch-platform/id1555325361)

This application offers soldiers a streamlined portal to access the DMDC My Access Center. It simplifies the process by providing a direct push button for DS Logon sign-on.

**Highlights:** Access DMDC My Access Center, DS Logon integration, User-friendly interface, Direct sign-on button

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📱 Mobile leave submission capability
- ✅ Recent updates improving functionality
- 👁️ Ability to view STP and promotion points
- 🔐 Security features implemented
- ⚡ Convenient phone-based access to records

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 🌐 Functions as webpage wrapper, not true app
- 🔐 Complex authentication and certificate installation
- 📵 Poor mobile optimization and display
- ⏱️ Slow performance and timeouts

**Reported bugs**

- Certificate download returns 404 error
- Two-factor authentication fails repeatedly
- DS Logon authentication broken
- App logs out immediately after login
- Safari security warnings block access

**Requested features**

- True native app instead of webpage wrapper
- HR.IPPSA access for PAR processing
- Soldier Talent Profile (STP) full access
- PPW (Pay Per Work) visibility for soldiers
- Printable leave forms with form numbers and signature lines


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Volunteer Connection free?

Volunteer Connection is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is IPPS free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Volunteer Connection or IPPS?

Volunteer Connection is rated higher. Volunteer Connection averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.3K ratings, while IPPS averages 1.5 from 257 ratings.

### Do Volunteer Connection or IPPS have ads?

Neither Volunteer Connection nor IPPS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Volunteer Connection or IPPS?

Volunteer Connection ships an update every 2 months, and IPPS every 7 months. Most recently, Volunteer Connection was updated on September 21, 2026 and IPPS on September 3, 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.*