# Blackboard vs AP Classroom

The clearest difference is rating: Blackboard at 4.6 against AP Classroom's 1.6. Blackboard also leads on ratings volume (443K vs 39) and chart position (#84 vs unranked). AP Classroom's advantage is review sentiment (25% vs 14%). On price, update cadence, 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.

Blackboard holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blackboard has 443K ratings behind it against 39, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 14% of Blackboard's written reviews are positive against 25% of AP Classroom's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Blackboard ships an update monthly, AP Classroom every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and July 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blackboard | AP Classroom |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (443K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackboard/id950424861/reviews)** | [1.6 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ap-classroom/id1526634372/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **443K** | 39 |
| Positive reviews | 14.2% of reviews | **25.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#84** | — |
| Size | 172 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anthology Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1676499025) | [Chalit Chathirat](https://appshunter.io/developer/910858647) |

## What reviewers say

### Blackboard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackboard/id950424861)

**Currently charting:** #84 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

This app connects students and instructors to their institution's learning management system. Access course materials, submit assignments, track grades, and communicate with peers and instructors on the go.

**Highlights:** Course updates and announcements, Assignment submission and testing, Grade tracking, Discussion board management, Material organization, Real-time notifications

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🔒 Secure login process
- 💡 Helpful for busy students

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔄 Constant need to re-login
- 🕰️ Slow loading times
- 📱 Not optimized for mobile/tablets

**Reported bugs**

- Activity stream not loading properly
- Inconsistent behavior across mobile and web
- Inability to view full assignment details

**Requested features**

- Ability to customize course order
- Improved notifications and alerts
- Split-screen functionality for multitasking
- Offline access to course materials


### AP Classroom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ap-classroom/id1526634372)

This online learning platform offers courses from a physics tutoring school. It provides features like progress tracking, course management, and detailed video playback controls for an enhanced educational experience.

**Highlights:** Login via mobile or email, Learning progress dashboard, Course and playlist management, Advanced video playback controls, Speed and slow-motion video options

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blackboard free?

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

### Is AP Classroom free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Blackboard or AP Classroom?

Blackboard is rated higher. Blackboard averages 4.6 out of 5 from 443K ratings, while AP Classroom averages 1.6 from 39 ratings.

### Do Blackboard or AP Classroom have ads?

Neither Blackboard nor AP Classroom shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Blackboard or AP Classroom?

Blackboard ships an update monthly, and AP Classroom every 5 weeks. Most recently, Blackboard was updated on September 25, 2026 and AP Classroom on July 7, 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.*