Best student discount cards in the UK, compared
We make one of these, so read this with that in mind — which is why we've been plain about where the free options beat us. Short version: get the free apps for online shopping, get TOTUM if you need student ID or travel deals, and add Infinity Club if most of your money goes on local food, coffee and haircuts.
| Infinity Club | Student Beans | UNiDAYS | TOTUM (NUS) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £3.99/month or £39.99/year, first 30 days free | Free | Free | Free tier; TOTUM+ from £14.99 a year |
| Strongest for | Local independents: cafés, barbers, gyms, restaurants, nights out | Online fashion and lifestyle brands | Tech, software and premium brands | National retail, travel and official student ID |
| Use in store | Yes — digital membership card | Yes — Student Beans iD | Yes — in-app codes | Yes — card or app |
| Counts as student ID | No | No | No | Yes |
| Money back if it isn't worth it | Yes — Save-More Guarantee on your first paid month | Free anyway | Free anyway | See their terms |
Our honest take
There's no reason not to install the free apps. The question is whether a paid membership earns its place on top — and that depends entirely on where you spend. If your week involves coffee, a takeaway, a haircut and a night out, a local membership tends to pay for itself quickly. If you mostly buy trainers and laptops online, stick with the free ones.
Competitor details taken from each provider's own website. Prices and terms change — check theirs before deciding.
Common questions
- What's the best free student discount card?
- Student Beans and UNiDAYS are both free and worth having — they cover online codes for national and international brands.
- Is a paid student discount card worth it?
- Only if you use it. A paid membership makes sense when it covers spending you do anyway — coffee, food, haircuts, the gym — and pays for itself in the first month or two.
- Which card proves I'm a student?
- TOTUM, the card that replaced NUS, is recognised as student ID. Student Beans, UNiDAYS and Infinity Club are savings platforms, not ID cards.