USEFULL vs SlugMenu
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
USEFULL
This app facilitates a plastic-free reusable takeout program on campuses. Users borrow durable stainless steel containers instead of single-use ones, tracking their environmental impact and managing returns through the app.
- QR code scanner for container checkout
- Due date reminders
- Personal environmental impact tracking
- Find checkout and return stations
- Manage late fees and payments
- 24/7 customer support
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Ditch the plastic. Track your impact. Join the reuse movement. USEFULL is your campus’ 100% plastic-free reusable takeout program. Instead of single-use containers, you’ll borrow durable stainless steel ones—just like checking out a library book. It’s fast, free (as long as you return on time), and better for the planet and your health (no dangerous microplastics). Download the app to start checking out containers at participating locations. Here’s how it works: 1. Request a reusable container from dining staff for your takeout meal. 2. Use the USEFULL app to check it out; simply scan the QR code on the base of the container. 3. When you’re done, return the container by scanning it back in at a return station. Key app features: - Use the QR code scanner to check out containers - Get due date reminders - Track your personal environmental impact - Reference community rules for your reusables - Find checkout and return stations near you - Manage late fees and payment options - Access 24/7 customer support USEFULL is completely free as long as containers are returned on time. Our tracking technology makes reuse easy and enables a 99% return rate. That means our high-quality containers can be used again and again, without generating waste.
SlugMenu
Easily find daily dining options at UCSC, including hours and current open status for all campus eateries. Favorite dishes to discover where they are served and get alerts for availability. Access detailed nutrition, ingredient, and allergen information for each item.
- Campus dining hall menus
- Real-time open/closed status
- Dish favoriting and alerts
- Nutrition and allergen info
- Allergen filtering
- Gluten-friendly sorting
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SlugMenu shows what UCSC is serving today. Every dining hall, cafe, market and Perk coffee bar in one place, with hours and whether they are open right now. Favorite the dishes you love. SlugMenu tells you which hall has the most of them today, and how long you have to get there. Tap any dish for nutrition facts, ingredients and allergens. Hide anything with allergens you avoid, and float Gluten Friendly options to the top. Tags come from UCSC, so check with dining staff if your allergy is serious. SlugMenu is an independent, student made app, not affiliated with UC Santa Cruz.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: SlugMenu at 5.0 against USEFULL's 3.4. SlugMenu also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 79%). USEFULL's advantage is ratings volume (54 vs 3) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
SlugMenu holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: USEFULL has 54 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of USEFULL's written reviews are positive against 100% of SlugMenu's.
| Parameter | USEFULL | SlugMenu |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.4 (54 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 78.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 54 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 84 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | USEFULL Inc | STEFAN JULIAN BATORY |
Customer experience
USEFULL
SlugMenu
In-app purchases
USEFULL
No in-app purchases
SlugMenu
No in-app purchases









