A student discount app checks that you're a student once, then shows you deals from brands and local shops that only verified students can claim. Some cover graduates too, some focus on one region or on restaurants, and several are free to join. Ten apps follow, in no particular order.
Student deals used to mean flashing a plastic card at a till. Now most brands want proof online, which is exactly the job these apps do: they verify your status once, usually through your school email or student ID, and then hand you codes or a digital card you can show.
The ten apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the app's own App Store listing, read this week. If you're also looking to earn while you study, my guide to legitimate online part-time jobs for students covers the earning side of student life.
Student discount apps at a glance
I checked the free plan column on each app's own App Store listing, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the listing names a free app, a free version, a free tier or free content. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the listing I read named neither, even where there's a download button, so check the app's own page before you subscribe.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiroy | Student restaurant deals app | Discounted meals near campus | Yes |
| ClassMate | Student savings app | High school students as well as college | Yes |
| Diverzum | European student coupon app | Discounts at European brands | Not stated |
| ISIC | Digital international student ID | Proving student status abroad | Not stated |
| My Unideals | MENA student deals app | Students in the Middle East and North Africa | Yes |
| Student Beans | Student discount app | Exclusive brand discounts | Yes |
| SUBTV PERKS | Student discount and music app | Students' Union life in the UK | Not stated |
| TOTUM | UK student membership app | Cashback plus a proof-of-age ID | Not stated |
| UNiDAYS | Student and graduate deals app | Deals that carry on after graduation | Not stated |
| Unipal | Digital student ID and benefits app | Replacing a physical student card | Yes |
Ten student discount apps worth a look
Chiroy
Best for: Anyone who mostly spends on eating out, with restaurant deals near campus unlocked through instant verification with a .edu email.
ClassMate
Best for: Younger students too, since the listing says it's free for university, college and high school students alike.
Diverzum
Best for: Learners in Europe who want codes for brands such as FlixBus, Myprotein and H&M after verifying their student status once.
ISIC
Best for: Travellers and exchange students who need a digital student card that's recognised internationally, with offers for cardholders.
My Unideals
Best for: Students in the Middle East and North Africa, where many global discount apps have few local offers on subscriptions and services.
Student Beans
Best for: Shoppers who want a long list of exclusive brand discounts, with sign-up and student verification done in seconds.
SUBTV PERKS
Best for: UK students who want local and online savings mixed with the music played in their Students' Union.
TOTUM
Best for: UK students who want cashback on everyday shopping plus a proof-of-age ID, as part of a TOTUM membership.
UNiDAYS
Best for: Final-year students close to finishing, since the listing covers graduate deals as well as student ones, plus wellbeing tools.
Unipal
Best for: Undergraduates who want a digital student ID on their phone alongside local food, coffee and fitness offers.
Which app for which student
- You eat out more than you shop: Chiroy.
- You're still at high school: ClassMate.
- You study in Europe: Diverzum.
- You live in the Middle East or North Africa: My Unideals.
- You're about to graduate: UNiDAYS.
How student verification works
Every app here has to confirm you're a student before it shows you anything worth having. The usual routes are a school or college email address, a photo of your student ID, or a check through your institution. Once you're verified, the app stores that status so you don't repeat it for every brand.
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That's why it pays to use the email address your college gave you. A personal address rarely proves anything, and you may find the best deals stay hidden until you add your school email or student card.
Travel and ID cards that sit outside the apps
Some of the biggest savings for students never appear in a discount app at all. In Britain, the official 16-25 Railcard site says the card gives a third off rail travel, and it's bought for a year at a time. If you take the train home at weekends, that one card may save more than a term's worth of fashion codes.
An international student card works the same way abroad. The ISIC listing describes it as the only internationally accepted proof of official student status, which is handy when a museum, hostel or travel company asks for proof in a country where your home student card means nothing.
Five checks before you sign up
- Check the region: an app full of US brands won't help much if you study in Manchester or Madrid.
- Check how it verifies you, and whether your college email works.
- Check what happens when you graduate, since some apps keep a graduate tier and others stop.
- Read the privacy section on the listing, because you're handing over student and contact details.
- Look at the categories you spend on most, such as food, travel or tech, and pick the app that covers those.
Do you make student discount, campus perks or student ID apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on student discount apps
Join one app that covers the big national brands where you live, then add one that's strong on the thing you spend most on, whether that's food near campus or travel. Verify with your college email straight away so nothing stays locked, and turn off any notifications you don't want, or the deals will start to feel like adverts.
And treat a discount as a saving only if you'd have bought the thing anyway. For study help that won't touch your bank balance, my guide to finding free exam study materials is a good next stop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best student discount app?
There isn't one best app for everyone: pick one that covers the brands in your country, then add a second for the category you spend most on.
Are student discount apps free?
Several apps here name free sign-up or a free service on their listing, so check the free plan column and the app's own page.
How do student discount apps check you're a student?
Most ask for your school or college email address, a photo of your student ID, or a check with your institution, then save your verified status.
Can high school students use student discount apps?
Some can. One app here says it's free for university, college and high school students, but many apps only cover college and university.
Do student discounts work after you graduate?
It depends on the app. Some keep graduate deals for a while after you finish, while others stop once your student status ends.
Is a student railcard worth it?
If you travel by train in Britain, the 16-25 Railcard gives a third off rail travel, so it can be worth more than app discounts for regular travellers.
