# Essential CU vs Link2Cash

The clearest difference is update cadence: Link2Cash at every 11 days against Essential CU's every 3 months. Link2Cash also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Essential CU ships an update every 3 months, Link2Cash every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Essential CU | Link2Cash |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (4.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-cu/id953483907/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **4.4K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 81.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 114 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Essential Credit Union](https://appshunter.io/developer/875874546) | [Aqua Viva Financial LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1803925720) |

## What reviewers say

### Essential CU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-cu/id953483907)

Manage your credit union accounts conveniently from your mobile device. Access account information, transfer funds, pay bills, and deposit checks on the go. Easily locate ATMs and branches with this secure and user-friendly application.

**Highlights:** Check account balances, View transaction history, Transfer funds, Pay bills, Send money to contacts, Deposit checks, Find ATMs and branches

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and easy to use
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💡 Useful features like check deposit
- 🔒 Secure with Touch ID login

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and technical issues
- ⚠️ Unreliable account access and information
- 💤 Outdated and frustrating interface
- 🤯 Poor customer support

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Account information not displaying correctly
- Deposit issues and delays
- Compatibility problems with newer devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to lock debit card
- Faster credit card payment updates
- More account management features
- Apple Pay integration


### Link2Cash

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/link2cash/id6743673150)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Essential CU free?

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

### Is Link2Cash free?

Link2Cash is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Essential CU or Link2Cash have ads?

Neither Essential CU nor Link2Cash shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Essential CU or Link2Cash?

Essential CU ships an update every 3 months, and Link2Cash every 11 days. Most recently, Essential CU was updated on October 17, 2026 and Link2Cash on September 30, 2026.

---

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