Head to head
BigFuture vs Niche: which scholarship site fits you?
Short answer
We review both on facts only, so this page compares them side by side without scores. Both are free to use.
By The Deadline Desk · Best Scholarship Sites · Published
Desk research from each site's public pages, app store listings and review profiles. Editorial assessment; we did not create accounts or apply for scholarships.
How do the facts compare?
| Fact | BigFuture | Niche |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | College Board (nonprofit) | Niche (ownership not read) |
| Cost | Free Free. | Free Free account. No paid plan seen. |
| Database, as stated | Over 24,000 scholarships, more than $1.5 billion a year | "Thousands of scholarships" (no exact count) |
| Applying | Not read. | Many scholarships need no essay; Niche says you can "apply to several with just a few clicks". |
| Own no-essay award | $40,000 and $500 BigFuture Scholarships: no essay, no minimum GPA or test score; entries earned by completing planning steps. | $40,000 Niche No Essay Scholarship (deadline October 15, 2026, one winner, requirements: none). The menu also links a $2,000 No Essay Scholarship. |
| Data sharing | Privacy terms not read. | Policy has a table of "Third Parties to Whom We Sell and/or Share" listing identifiers (name, address, phone, email) to advertising partners. |
| Ratings | Not read | Trustpilot: 1.7 from 18 reviews on an unclaimed profile categorised as "SEO Service", which may not be the scholarship product |
| Scored on this site | Reviewed, not scored | Reviewed, not scored |
Source: BigFuture by College Board
Source: BigFuture about us
Source: Niche scholarships page
Source: Niche scholarship information
Source: Niche privacy policy
Source: Niche on Trustpilot
Which one should you choose?
Choose BigFuture if
Students who want no-essay drawings tied to college planning steps.
Run by the College Board, a nonprofit, and free.
Choose Niche if
Seniors who want no-essay entries and may also want direct admission offers.
Large no-essay awards run by Niche itself, with a named fulfillment partner and clear scam guidance.
What should you watch for?
- BigFuture: Its privacy terms were not read for this edition.
- Niche: Its privacy policy lists identifiers sold or shared with advertising partners.
Frequently asked questions
Which saves more time on applications, BigFuture or Niche?
BigFuture: Not read. Niche: Many scholarships need no essay; Niche says you can "apply to several with just a few clicks".
Is BigFuture or Niche free?
BigFuture: Free. Niche: Free account. No paid plan seen.
Do BigFuture and Niche sell student data?
BigFuture: Privacy terms not read. Niche: Policy has a table of "Third Parties to Whom We Sell and/or Share" listing identifiers (name, address, phone, email) to advertising partners. "Privacy terms not read" means we could not read the policy, not that the site does not share data.