# Blackboard vs GSB Events

The clearest difference is review sentiment: GSB Events at 100% against Blackboard's 14%. GSB Events also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.0). Blackboard's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (445K vs 2). 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.

GSB Events holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blackboard has 445K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of Blackboard's written reviews are positive against 100% of GSB Events's.

Blackboard ships an update monthly, GSB Events every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blackboard | GSB Events |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (445K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackboard/id950424861/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gsb-events/id1637406053/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **445K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 14.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#101** | — |
| Size | 172 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Anthology Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1676499025) | [Fordham University](https://appshunter.io/developer/459238474) |

## What reviewers say

### Blackboard

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

**Currently charting:** #101 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


### GSB Events

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gsb-events/id1637406053)

Access exciting workshops and events offered by the Gabelli School of Business. Features include registration, peer chatting, photo sharing, and logistical information for programs like orientation and certification courses.

**Highlights:** Event registration, Peer chatting, Photo sharing, Logistical information, Workshop access, Certification program details

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blackboard free?

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

### Is GSB Events free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Blackboard or GSB Events?

GSB Events is rated higher. Blackboard averages 4.6 out of 5 from 445K ratings, while GSB Events averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Blackboard or GSB Events have ads?

Neither Blackboard nor GSB Events shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Blackboard or GSB Events?

Blackboard ships an update monthly, and GSB Events every 9 months. Most recently, Blackboard was updated on October 29, 2026 and GSB Events on October 24, 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.*