Head to head
Niche vs ScholarshipOwl: which scholarship site fits you?
Short answer
We score ScholarshipOwl but not Niche, so this page compares them on facts only: cost, stated database size, application shortcuts, own no-essay awards and data sharing. ScholarshipOwl charges a membership after a free trial; Niche is free.
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 | Niche | ScholarshipOwl |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Niche (ownership not read) | Scholarship Services, Inc. (d/b/a ScholarshipOwl), Wilmington, Delaware |
| Cost | Free Free account. No paid plan seen. | Paid after free trial Paid membership after a free trial. Plan prices are not on ScholarshipOwl's public pages. |
| Database, as stated | "Thousands of scholarships" (no exact count) | 10,000+ scholarships |
| Applying | Many scholarships need no essay; Niche says you can "apply to several with just a few clicks". | One application for many scholarships, one-click apply on many listings, and automatic reapplication to scholarships that pick winners more than once a year. |
| Own no-essay award | $40,000 Niche No Essay Scholarship (deadline October 15, 2026, one winner, requirements: none). The menu also links a $2,000 No Essay Scholarship. | $50,000 No Essay Scholarship: a monthly random draw for four students at $1,000 each, plus two extra winners in December. Signing up enters you automatically; no fee. |
| Data sharing | Policy has a table of "Third Parties to Whom We Sell and/or Share" listing identifiers (name, address, phone, email) to advertising partners. | Policy says "we may sell Identifiers generally" and may sell certain sensitive personal information, like ethnicity and citizenship, to third parties. |
| Ratings | Trustpilot: 1.7 from 18 reviews on an unclaimed profile categorised as "SEO Service", which may not be the scholarship product | Trustpilot: 4.2 from 1,260 reviews (claimed profile since May 2015; the profile notes a paid Trustpilot subscription). App Store (US): 4.7 out of 5 from 228 ratings |
| Scored on this site | Reviewed, not scored | Yes, 6.75 / 10 |
Source: Niche scholarships page
Source: Niche scholarship information
Source: Niche privacy policy
Source: Niche on Trustpilot
Source: ScholarshipOwl homepage
Source: ScholarshipOwl FAQ
Source: ScholarshipOwl on the App Store
Source: ScholarshipOwl /upgrade (returns 404)
Source: ScholarshipOwl terms of use
Source: ScholarshipOwl scholarships page
Source: ScholarshipOwl on Trustpilot
Which one should you choose?
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.
Choose ScholarshipOwl if
Students who want to send many applications with little repeat work and are willing to pay after the trial.
What should you watch for?
- Niche: Its privacy policy lists identifiers sold or shared with advertising partners.
- ScholarshipOwl: It charges for membership after the free trial, its plan prices are not on its own public pages, and its terms say payments are non-refundable with limited exceptions.
Frequently asked questions
Which saves more time on applications, Niche or ScholarshipOwl?
Niche: Many scholarships need no essay; Niche says you can "apply to several with just a few clicks". ScholarshipOwl: One application for many scholarships, one-click apply on many listings, and automatic reapplication to scholarships that pick winners more than once a year.
Is Niche or ScholarshipOwl free?
Niche: Free account. No paid plan seen. ScholarshipOwl: Paid membership after a free trial. Plan prices are not on ScholarshipOwl's public pages.
Do Niche and ScholarshipOwl sell student data?
Niche: Policy has a table of "Third Parties to Whom We Sell and/or Share" listing identifiers (name, address, phone, email) to advertising partners. ScholarshipOwl: Policy says "we may sell Identifiers generally" and may sell certain sensitive personal information, like ethnicity and citizenship, to third parties. "Privacy terms not read" means we could not read the policy, not that the site does not share data.