Comparison

PC Optimum vs Michaels Stores Canada

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

Head to head
About

PC Optimum

This app lets you earn and redeem loyalty points on purchases. It offers personalized deals and exclusive events based on your shopping habits. Manage your account, load offers, and track your rewards all in one place.

Highlights
  • Earn and redeem points
  • Personalized offers and events
  • Manage loyalty account
  • Load special offers
  • Track rewards
Features
Read full description

The rewards program unlike any other. With exclusive events and offers based on the items you buy most, the PC Optimum program is tailored specifically to you. And the more you use the program the better it gets – and the more free stuff you get. Load offers, earn and redeem points and manage your account all through the convenience of the PC Optimum app. IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES AND CONSENT In order to understand current and future consumer interests and to improve or develop new products, services, programs, promotions, contests or events, President’s Choice Services Inc. may track and analyze your use of the application, including offers viewed, opt-out preferences, click-throughs and other use of features. We may collect personal information and non-personal information electronically, directly from you or through third parties. For instance, we may access personal information about you when you share information about yourself on social media networks and also when you interact with us electronically such as through our information technology systems, websites, email, mobile applications, social media properties or online advertising. If you choose to download or use this application (“app”), we may receive personal information and non-personal information about your current location and about your mobile device, tablet, or browser, such as a unique identifier for your device. Most devices, tablets and browsers allow you to turn off the tracking of your location. However, if you do so, you may not be able to use some of the app features. PC Optimum Support https://www.pcoptimum.ca/help-and-support/faq

About

Michaels Stores Canada

Discover art and craft supplies, project ideas, and local store information. Find items with voice search, check prices, and save favorites. Access weekly ads, coupons, and exclusive rewards.

Highlights
  • Shop for art and craft supplies
  • Locate nearby stores
  • Voice search for items
  • Check product availability and prices
  • Save shopping lists
  • View weekly ads and coupons
  • Access project ideas and events
  • Join Michaels Rewards program
Features
Read full description

Michaels is the largest arts and crafts retailer in North America, with stores across 49 states and Canada. We’ve got everything to create anything! Features: Locate a Michaels store near you See up-to-date prices and inventory Save your shopping list Manage your orders, offers and account Save Big Here’s the deal: we love savings! The app allows you to view the weekly ad, get coupons for your local store, and scan them at checkout. Get Rewarded Sign up in the app for Michaels Rewards, our free perks program for all our makers. Members get exclusive offers, receipt-free returns, event invites, early sales alerts and more. Shop Categories Canvas Frames Storage Yarn & Needlework Art Supplies Apparel Crafts Baking Supplies Beads & Jewelry Crafts & Hobbies Craft Machines Cricut Home & Decor Floral Holidays & Occasions Kids Paint Papercraft Party Teacher Supplies Wedding Ribbon

Screenshots

PC Optimum4 screens
Michaels Stores Canada4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PC Optimum at 3.1 against Michaels Stores Canada's 1.9. PC Optimum also leads on ratings volume (34K vs 350). Michaels Stores Canada's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PC Optimum holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PC Optimum has 34K ratings behind it against 350, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 8% of PC Optimum's written reviews are positive against 12% of Michaels Stores Canada's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PC Optimum ships an update every 2 weeks, Michaels Stores Canada fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PC Optimum versus Michaels Stores Canada: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPC OptimumMichaels Stores Canada
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (34K ratings) — better1.9 (350 ratings)
Positive reviews8.4% of reviews12.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings34K — better350
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size272 MB455 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLoblaw Companies LimitedMichaels Stores, Inc.

Customer experience

PC Optimum

All ratings206 ratings
Positive48.1%
Neutral8.3%
Negative43.7%
Written reviews884 reviews
Positive8.4%
Neutral7.9%
Negative83.7%

Michaels Stores Canada

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews92 reviews
Positive12.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative83.7%

User reviews

PC Optimum

From 34K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 💳 Convenient for storing card
  • 📈 Helpful for tracking points
  • 🛒 Useful for finding deals and offers

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent technical issues with loading offers
  • 🔍 Cluttered and confusing interface
  • 🤔 Irrelevant offers and recommendations
  • ⏰ Slow performance and crashes
  • 🔒 Security and account issues

Michaels Stores Canada

From 350 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 App works fine for some
  • 💡 Can scan barcodes for prices
  • 💡 Access to weekly coupons
  • 💡 Can order for in-store pickup
  • 💡 Full product catalog available

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🐛 App freezes often
  • 🐛 Login issues (sign out, password problems)
  • 🐛 Inability to search or scroll
  • 🐛 Poor user interface/experience

Bugs and requests

PC Optimum

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to load offers and flyers
  • Inconsistent points tracking and accrual
  • Login and account management problems
  • Compatibility issues with newer devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to customize home store
  • Improved points tracking and redemption
  • Better integration with physical loyalty card

Michaels Stores Canada

Reported bugs

55 issues
  • App crashes instantly upon opening
  • App freezes frequently, sometimes on specific screens
  • Login issues: constantly logging out, requiring new passwords, 'forgot password' link not working
  • Search function is unusable or broken
  • Cannot add items to cart or place orders
Show 50 more
  • Error messages are not informative
  • Registration button is greyed out
  • Google sign-in project is unnamed
  • App asks for location permission when not in use
  • App won't update, disabling old version
  • Account verification codes not received
  • Cannot see pictures of items
  • App freezes after scrolling for seconds
  • Cannot use Apple Pay on the app
  • Promo codes not applied correctly at checkout
  • Cart doubles item quantities
  • Cannot log into rewards program
  • Disappearing products from listings
  • Crashes when trying to log into account
  • Cannot search for local stores
  • Cannot do general product searches
  • Cannot log in or create new accounts
  • Account marked as inactive incorrectly
  • UI navigation issues, e.g., returning to main page instead of search results
  • Coupon discounts not applied until payment details are entered
  • Error message: postal code and province mismatch
  • New app version is user-unfriendly
  • Cannot add items to cart after new app launch
  • New updates wiped out previous lists
  • App doesn't connect to Apple Wallet or saved cards
  • App doesn't remember login or payment info
  • App shows US website/sales for Canada
  • Cannot edit phone number
  • Email address not recognized by the app
  • Passcode timed out before email received
  • Cannot filter by store availability
  • App shows items as in stock when they are not
  • App crashes when trying to open chat support
  • Rewards program changed or inaccessible
  • Favorites list gone after update
  • App doesn't recognize user ID and password
  • Link to reset password doesn't work
  • Cookie prompt appears on every page if optional cookies are declined
  • Cart becomes empty after searching for other items
  • Gift card workflow fails on app and website
  • App doesn't accept credit card for payment
  • No coupons available in the app
  • Requires new password every time to sign in
  • Forgot password link is broken
  • Passkeys do not work on the app
  • App doesn't load when opened from home screen, requires opening from App Store
  • App doesn't have correct email address on file
  • App doesn't work on tablets, back button issues
  • App shows US sales and promotions for Canadian users
  • Old app no longer supports Canadian stores, forcing new download

Requested features

17 requests
  • Allow users to stay signed in
  • Improve search functionality
  • Allow filtering by store availability
  • Add dark mode
  • Allow adding coupons to Apple Wallet
Show 12 more
  • Fix passkey functionality
  • Improve UI/UX for easier navigation
  • Allow editing of personal information like phone number
  • Ensure app adjusts to tablet screen sizes
  • Provide more informative error messages
  • Allow users to review items without purchase
  • Display item pictures clearly and allow enlargement
  • Make the app more user-friendly for Canadians
  • Ensure consistent rewards program for all regions
  • Improve gift card functionality
  • Fix credit card payment issues
  • Make app work on older devices

In-app purchases

None

PC Optimum

No in-app purchases

None

Michaels Stores Canada

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PC Optimum free?
PC Optimum is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Michaels Stores Canada free?
Michaels Stores Canada is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PC Optimum or Michaels Stores Canada?
PC Optimum is rated higher. PC Optimum averages 3.1 out of 5 from 34K ratings, while Michaels Stores Canada averages 1.9 from 350 ratings.
Do PC Optimum or Michaels Stores Canada have ads?
Both PC Optimum and Michaels Stores Canada show ads.
Which is updated more often, PC Optimum or Michaels Stores Canada?
PC Optimum ships an update every 2 weeks, and Michaels Stores Canada fortnightly. Most recently, PC Optimum was updated on November 3, 2026 and Michaels Stores Canada on October 30, 2026.

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