ParentSquare vs PowerSchool Mobile
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ParentSquare
This app connects schools and families, providing a central hub for communication and information. Families can receive important alerts, view school news, and message teachers directly. It aims to keep everyone informed and engaged to support student success.
- Centralized school and family communication
- Receive school news, alerts, and messages
- Direct messaging with teachers and staff
- View classroom updates and photos
- Respond to absences or tardies
- Pay school fees and invoices
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What is ParentSquare? ParentSquare helps schools and families stay connected and informed—all in one easy place. Whether it’s a quick message from a teacher, an important alert from the district, or a reminder about tomorrow’s field trip, ParentSquare makes sure families never miss a thing. Why families and teachers love ParentSquare: • Simple, easy-to-use app and website • Messages are automatically translated into 190+ languages • Best-in-class safety and security practices • One place for all school updates, alerts, and messages With ParentSquare, families and staff save time and stay connected—so everyone can focus on helping students succeed. ParentSquare for iOS The ParentSquare app makes it easy for families to stay in the loop and engage with their child’s school community. With the app, parents and guardians can: • See school news, classroom updates, and photos • Receive important notices like attendance alerts and cafeteria balances • Message teachers and staff directly • Join group conversations • Sign up for wishlist items, volunteering, and conferences • Respond to absences or tardies* • Pay school-related fees and invoices* * If included with your school's implementation
PowerSchool Mobile
Access real-time student information like grades, assignments, and attendance with an updated interface. Features customizable dashboards, calendar views for assignments, and notification management for parents, guardians, and students.
- Real-time student data access
- Updated user interface and dashboard
- Customizable dashboard widgets
- Class assignment calendar view
- Push and email notifications
- Student profile management
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Built for convenient access to real-time student information like grades, assignments, and attendance, the PowerSchool Mobile App provides enhanced functionality for parents, guardians, and students. • Get easy access to the most important student data with an updated user interface, dashboard, and improved app structure • Use new dashboard widgets for quick access to important information including: GPA, Class Overview, Assignments Due, Assignments Graded, Attendance, School Bulletins, Meal Balance, and Fees • Customize the dashboard by reordering or hiding widgets to prioritize the information that is most important to you • Access class information and grades across terms and drill-down to detailed views of class assignments, attendance, and standards • View class assignments for the week or month in a new calendar view, and drill-down to assignment details • Manage push and email notifications, student profiles, access school information, and more PowerSchool is the leading K-12 education technology provider of solutions that improve the education experience for 100 million students, teachers, and parents in over 70 countries around the world. IMPORTANT! To access the PowerSchool Mobile App, your school district must be using the PowerSchool Student Information System. If you are not sure what SIS your school is using, contact your school or district. PLEASE NOTE • Requires iOS version 13.0 or higher • Access to PowerSchool is controlled by school administration • Requires a wireless connection or mobile data plan • Users must consent to receive push notifications when connecting to servers outside of the United States • Meal Balance totals are only available if your school uses the PowerLunch meal management feature in the PowerSchool SIS
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: ParentSquare at weekly against PowerSchool Mobile's monthly. PowerSchool Mobile's advantage is ratings volume (930K vs 78K). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for ParentSquare against 4.6 for PowerSchool Mobile. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PowerSchool Mobile has 930K ratings behind it against 78K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of ParentSquare's written reviews are positive against 44% of PowerSchool Mobile's.
ParentSquare ships an update weekly, PowerSchool Mobile monthly. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.
| Parameter | ParentSquare | PowerSchool Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (78K ratings) | 4.6 (930K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better | 44.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 78K | 930K — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #7 — better | #16 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 154 MB | 112 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ParentSquare | PowerSchool Group LLC |
Customer experience
ParentSquare
PowerSchool Mobile
User reviews
ParentSquare
From 78K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💬 Helpful communication tool
- 🗓️ Keeps parents informed
- 🤝 Facilitates parent-teacher interaction
- 📤 Streamlines notifications and updates
- 🧭 Centralizes school information
Room to improve
- 🤯 Overwhelming notifications
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find information
- 🔒 Login and access issues
- 🐌 Slow performance and glitches
- 🤖 Lacks customization and user control
PowerSchool Mobile
From 930K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to access grades and assignments
- 👍 Convenient for parents to monitor student progress
- ⏰ Timely notifications of grade updates
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent sync issues and glitches
- 🕰️ Slow app performance and loading times
- 🔒 Concerns about privacy and data usage
- 📚 Incomplete or outdated information on the app
Bugs and requests
ParentSquare
Reported bugs
5 issues- Notification issues and delays
- Inconsistent app behavior across devices
- Login problems and lost user sessions
- Attachment and media viewing difficulties
- Syncing and data display errors
Requested features
5 requests- Ability to filter and customize notifications
- Improved search and organization of content
- Integration with other school/student platforms
- Enhanced mobile app functionality
- Parent-teacher group messaging capabilities
PowerSchool Mobile
Reported bugs
3 issues- Inconsistent display of grades and assignments
- Password reset issues and login problems
- Crashes and app freezes
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to view grade history and trends
- Integration with other school platforms
- Customizable notification settings
- Improved user interface and navigation
In-app purchases
ParentSquare
No in-app purchases
PowerSchool Mobile
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is ParentSquare free?
Is PowerSchool Mobile free?
Which has better reviews, ParentSquare or PowerSchool Mobile?
Do ParentSquare or PowerSchool Mobile have ads?
Which is updated more often, ParentSquare or PowerSchool Mobile?
Which is more popular, ParentSquare or PowerSchool Mobile?
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