Comparison

DiningCity vs REF Rating

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DiningCity

Discover and book tables at high-end Asian restaurants with instant discounts. This premium dining guide offers exclusive deals, easy reservations, and detailed restaurant information across over 20 cities. Become a member to enjoy special event pre-bookings and up to 50% off.

Highlights
  • Instant restaurant reservations
  • Exclusive deals and discounts up to 50%
  • Discover fine dining in 20+ Asian cities
  • Member pre-booking for special events
  • Restaurant reviews and menu information
  • Manage bookings and history
Features
Read full description

Restaurant reservations with instant discounts in Asia’s high-end restaurants. DiningCity is the premium dining guide and reservation platform in Asia that allows you to discover fine dining, exclusive deals and online reservations wherever you are to enjoy the amazing restaurants in over 20 cities in Asia. Do you want to be part of this fine dining experience? Download the app and become a privileged member of the famous dining guide! Enjoy instant discounts and deals, make faster and easier reservations, use your current location to find restaurants wherever you are, write and read reviews, manage your bookings and many more! Features: - Easy and fast sign up and sign in. - Discover hundreds of the best restaurants in over 20 cities across Asia: - Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Macau and more - Enjoy member pre-booking on events like Restaurant Week, Brunch Weekend, Seafood Week. - Enjoy all day discounts and deals up to 50%. - Find restaurant information: addresses, pictures, locations, reviews and more. - Find information about a restaurant menu: prices, pictures and reviews. - Guaranteed reservation in only three clicks. - Manage your upcoming reservations and your reservation history. - Language both in Chinese and English

About

REF Rating

Features
Read full description

Welcome to the REF Survey-Based Restaurant App, an innovative platform designed to enhance your dining experience by connecting you with restaurants like never before. Our app empowers you to share your thoughts and feedback through surveys, allowing you to earn exciting rewards while helping restaurants improve their services. Discover the Features: 1. Explore a World of Restaurants: Dive into a diverse selection of restaurants at your fingertips! The REF app allows you to browse through a curated list of establishments based on various categories, including fast food, fine dining, ethnic cuisines, and local favorites. Our “Promoted” section highlights restaurants currently offering special deals, while the “Top Rated” section showcases the best dining options based on customer reviews. 2. Seamless Onboarding Experience: Getting started is easy! Upon downloading the app, you’ll be greeted with an engaging onboarding process, featuring an intuitive splash screen and informative onboarding screens that guide you through the app’s features. You can easily select your user role and sign up using your Google or Apple accounts. 3. User-Friendly Profile Creation: After onboarding, create a personalized user profile by entering basic information. This allows you to manage your preferences and track your survey participation seamlessly. 4. Participate in Surveys for Rewards: Your voice matters! Complete a universal food survey that enhances your experience and unlocks restaurant-specific surveys. After visiting a participating restaurant and spending a minimum amount (typically $50 to $100), show your bill to verify your visit and gain access to the survey via a QR code. Each completed survey earns you points redeemable for exciting rewards, discounts, and promotions. 5. Personalized Recommendations: The REF app employs advanced algorithms to tailor restaurant recommendations based on your ratings and reviews. The discovery page features filters that allow you to refine your search according to your preferences, ensuring you find dining options that suit your tastes. 6. Stay Informed with Notifications: Never miss out on new opportunities! The app keeps you updated with notifications about upcoming surveys, restaurant promotions, and special events. Stay connected with your favorite establishments and be the first to know about exclusive offers. 7. Create and Manage Personal Lists: Organize your dining experiences with ease. Maintain personalized lists such as “Want to Visit,” “Been To,” and “Favorites.” This feature helps you keep track of your dining adventures and ensures you remember all the amazing places you want to explore. 8. Engage with the Community: Join a vibrant community of food lovers! Share your reviews and insights with fellow users, helping others discover great dining experiences. Your feedback not only benefits you but also supports local restaurants in enhancing their services. 9. Customer Support at Your Fingertips: We value your experience! The app features a dedicated customer support section where you can address any queries or concerns. If you encounter issues or have suggestions for improvement, reach out to us through the help form, and we’ll respond promptly. 10. Commitment to Quality and Improvement: At REF, we are dedicated to continuously enhancing the app's features and functionalities. Your feedback is vital in shaping the future of our platform. We strive to create an engaging and rewarding experience for all users. Join the REF community today and revolutionize your dining adventures! Download the REF Survey-Based Restaurant App now and start sharing your feedback to help shape the future of your favorite restaurants while enjoying fantastic rewards in return. Your culinary journey awaits!

Screenshots

DiningCity4 screens
REF Rating4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: DiningCity at every 5 days against REF Rating's every 11 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DiningCity ships an update every 5 days, REF Rating every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
DiningCity versus REF Rating: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDiningCityREF Rating
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (35 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews41.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings35 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size89 MB50 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperShanghai Shiju Network Technology Company LimitedYui Ha Chloe MOW

In-app purchases

None

DiningCity

No in-app purchases

None

REF Rating

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DiningCity free?
DiningCity is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is REF Rating free?
REF Rating is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DiningCity or REF Rating have ads?
Neither DiningCity nor REF Rating shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DiningCity or REF Rating?
DiningCity ships an update every 5 days, and REF Rating every 11 days. Most recently, DiningCity was updated on October 18, 2026 and REF Rating on October 5, 2026.

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