# HKUST iLearn vs USThing

The clearest difference is review sentiment: USThing at 44% against HKUST iLearn's 11%. USThing also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 14 months). HKUST iLearn's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.4). 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.

HKUST iLearn ships an update every 14 months, USThing every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 24, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HKUST iLearn | USThing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/usthing/id965883733/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **4** |
| Positive reviews | 11.1% of reviews | **44.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 16 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology](https://appshunter.io/developer/332536363) | [Zachary Lo](https://appshunter.io/developer/905197936) |

## What reviewers say

### HKUST iLearn

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hkust-ilearn/id954203479)

Access essential learning applications used at HKUST, including Canvas, SFQ, and PRS. This app provides a convenient portal to your academic resources.

**Highlights:** Instant access to learning apps, Includes Canvas, Includes SFQ, Includes PRS, Designed for HKUST students

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### USThing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/usthing/id965883733)

This campus app consolidates various Hong Kong University of Science and Technology IT services into a single platform. It offers features like facility booking, grade viewing, timetable access, and event information, all accessible with encrypted local storage of credentials.

**Highlights:** Facility booking (Library, FBS), View grades and timetables, Course waitlist positions, Next lesson notifications, TimeMatch for finding free time, Campus info and directory, News and events

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HKUST iLearn free?

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

### Is USThing free?

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

### Do HKUST iLearn or USThing have ads?

Neither HKUST iLearn nor USThing shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HKUST iLearn or USThing?

HKUST iLearn ships an update every 14 months, and USThing every 3 weeks. Most recently, HKUST iLearn was updated on June 24, 2026 and USThing on September 13, 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.*