# Blackboard vs ABC Data

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Blackboard at none against ABC Data's 1. Blackboard also leads on chart position (#67 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ABC Data sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. Blackboard asks for nothing beyond the download.

Blackboard ships an update monthly, ABC Data every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and July 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blackboard | ABC Data |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (443K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackboard/id950424861/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **443K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 14.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | **#67** | — |
| Size | 172 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anthology Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1676499025) | [matthew sheedy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1008114949) |

## What reviewers say

### Blackboard

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

**Currently charting:** #67 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


### ABC Data

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abc-data/id6503637004)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Export Subscription | $1.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blackboard free?

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

### Is ABC Data free?

ABC Data is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Blackboard or ABC Data have ads?

Neither Blackboard nor ABC Data shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Blackboard or ABC Data?

Blackboard ships an update monthly, and ABC Data every 6 weeks. Most recently, Blackboard was updated on September 24, 2026 and ABC Data on July 8, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*