UNiDAYS vs Student Beans vs Student Edge: What's the Difference?

The short version

• All three are separate services that check you are a student and give you access to offers from partner brands.
• Which one you need depends on the offer. A brand usually names the platform it works with, so check the offer first.
• The same brand can appear on more than one platform, sometimes with different terms.
• Each platform sets its own rules on who can join, how you verify and how often you re-verify.

At a glance

This table is based on what each platform says on its own website. Plans, prices and rules can change, so confirm on the platform's site before you sign up.

The three platforms

UNiDAYS

UNiDAYS describes itself as a free digital platform with student deals and benefits. You register, then verify, and its site says verification is near-instant for the majority of its approved institutions. If that is not available, you can verify with a physical student ID card issued by your school, college or university. It says verification can take up to 7 days in busy periods. You re-verify every 12 months, and it says you cannot re-verify once you have left your institution. See our page on what UNiDAYS is.

Student Beans

Student Beans describes itself as a student discount marketplace and says registering is free. If your email domain is recognised, you are verified straight away. If you add a new place of study, its support team reviews your application manually. It asks you to re-verify your student status annually. It says its students include those in full-time education, including high school students over 16, college students, university students and apprentices. Check that you are on its Australian site, because its pages can show offers from other countries. See our page on what Student Beans is.

Student Edge

Student Edge describes itself as the largest member-based organisation of high school, TAFE, VET and university students in Australia. It offers deals alongside other things, such as competitions, study tools and jobs. Its site lists a free membership and a paid plan, Student Edge Plus. The free level was labelled a founding member offer when we checked, so look at the current plans before you join. See our page on what Student Edge is.

How to choose

1. Start with the offer you want. Open it on The Student. Each offer page shows how you verify, such as UNiDAYS, Student Beans, Student Edge or a student email.
2. Join the platform that offer uses. Some brands work with more than one, so you can pick whichever you prefer.
3. Check the details on the platform. Terms, codes and conditions are set by the brand and the platform.
4. Compare before you buy. If a brand is on several platforms, the terms can differ. Compare the offers and the brand's own price.

Tips

• Try your student email first. Both UNiDAYS and Student Beans say verification can be quick when your institution is recognised.
• Set a reminder to re-verify. Both UNiDAYS and Student Beans say you need to re-verify each year, and access to offers can stop if you do not.
• Check the plan before you pay. If a platform has a paid plan, check what it adds over the free one and whether you will use it.
• Look at the brand's own page too. The Student links to the brand's own page for each offer, so you can see the brand's latest terms.
• Keep your account details safe. Only sign up through the platform's own website or app.