HKUST Research vs smartUST
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HKUST Research
This app serves as a platform for researchers to find and receive reminders about research-related information. It aims to streamline access to important academic data and updates.
- Research information search
- Research-related reminders
- Platform for researchers
- Access academic data
Read full descriptionHide full description
HKUST Research provided HKUST researchers a platform to search and get reminder of research-related information.
smartUST
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.
- Campus activities and events
- Facility information
- Housing services
- University services
- Special offers
- Seamless campus connection
Read full descriptionHide full description
We would like to extend our warmest welcome to you at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology(HKUST), one of the top universities in Hong Kong and Asia, and wish you a very pleasant living, studying and researching here. To support smart campus, "smartUST" App aims at providing you an exciting lifestyle with seamless connections to every aspect of the university, like activities, events, facilities, housing, services, and special offering. Download "smartUST" App now and strat to discover and experience. "smartUST" is one of the Cloud-based Interactive Communities(CIC) designed and developed by CardApp Limited, a Hong Kong based Internet company focusing on smart community solution develpment and operation.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: HKUST Research at 5.0 against smartUST's 1.0. smartUST's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.4). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
HKUST Research holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.
HKUST Research ships an update every 2 months, smartUST monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HKUST Research | smartUST |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 77 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | CardApp Limited |
Customer experience
HKUST Research
smartUST
In-app purchases
HKUST Research
No in-app purchases
smartUST
No in-app purchases
