# HKUST Staff vs smartUST

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: smartUST at 9.0 against HKUST Staff's 15.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

HKUST Staff ships an update every 2 months, smartUST monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HKUST Staff | smartUST |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartust/id1361574826/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 36 MB | 77 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology](https://appshunter.io/developer/332536363) | [CardApp Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/539151439) |

## What reviewers say

### HKUST Staff

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hkust-staff/id1351121804)

This app provides mobile access to administrative functions for back office staff, streamlining tasks like expense receipt uploads. It also offers quick links to other essential applications for university personnel.

**Highlights:** Mobile administrative functions, Expense receipt upload, Quick links to useful apps, Improved efficiency for back office staff

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### smartUST

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartust/id1361574826)

This app enhances the university experience by connecting students to campus life. Discover activities, events, facilities, housing, and special offers for a seamless integration into the university community.

**Highlights:** Campus activities and events, Facility information, Housing services, University services, Special offers, Seamless campus connection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HKUST Staff free?

HKUST Staff is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is smartUST free?

smartUST is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do HKUST Staff or smartUST have ads?

Neither HKUST Staff nor smartUST shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HKUST Staff or smartUST?

HKUST Staff ships an update every 2 months, and smartUST monthly. Most recently, HKUST Staff was updated on November 4, 2026 and smartUST on November 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*