Head to head
Niche vs Scholarships.com: which scholarship site fits you?
Short answer
We score Scholarships.com but not Niche, so this page compares them on facts only: cost, stated database size, application shortcuts, own no-essay awards and data sharing. 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 | Niche | Scholarships.com |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Niche (ownership not read) | Scholarships.com, LLC (since 1998) |
| Cost | Free Free account. No paid plan seen. | Free Free. The homepage says "100% free". |
| Database, as stated | "Thousands of scholarships" (no exact count) | Over 3.7 million scholarships and grants totaling about $19 billion |
| Applying | Many scholarships need no essay; Niche says you can "apply to several with just a few clicks". | Search and scholarship alerts; no auto-apply or one application for many stated. |
| 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. | None stated |
| 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 or share personal information", including for marketing and advertising; sharing with colleges and education partners is with consent. |
| Ratings | Trustpilot: 1.7 from 18 reviews on an unclaimed profile categorised as "SEO Service", which may not be the scholarship product | App Store (US): 5.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings. Trustpilot: 2.9 from 2 reviews (claimed profile since March 2021) |
| Scored on this site | Reviewed, not scored | Yes, 5.10 / 10 |
Source: Niche scholarships page
Source: Niche scholarship information
Source: Niche privacy policy
Source: Niche on Trustpilot
Source: Scholarships.com homepage
Source: Scholarships.com on the App Store
Source: Scholarships.com about page
Source: Scholarships.com privacy policy
Source: Scholarships.com 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 Scholarships.com if
Students who want the biggest stated database, including local awards, at no cost.
What should you watch for?
- Niche: Its privacy policy lists identifiers sold or shared with advertising partners.
- Scholarships.com: Too few ratings to judge: 5 on the App Store and 2 on Trustpilot.
Frequently asked questions
Which saves more time on applications, Niche or Scholarships.com?
Niche: Many scholarships need no essay; Niche says you can "apply to several with just a few clicks". Scholarships.com: Search and scholarship alerts; no auto-apply or one application for many stated.
Is Niche or Scholarships.com free?
Niche: Free account. No paid plan seen. Scholarships.com: Free. The homepage says "100% free".
Do Niche and Scholarships.com 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. Scholarships.com: Policy says "We may sell or share personal information", including for marketing and advertising; sharing with colleges and education partners is with consent. "Privacy terms not read" means we could not read the policy, not that the site does not share data.