Student discount platforms all do roughly the same thing: verify that you're a student and give you access to discounts that aren't normally available to the public. The main three in the UK are UNiDAYS, Student Beans and TOTUM — but there are a few differences worth knowing.

UNiDAYS

Cost: Free
Best for: Everyday online discounts

UNiDAYS is probably the simplest place to start. It's free to join once you've verified your student status and currently advertises discounts across more than 800 brands.

You'll find deals across fashion, technology, food, travel and entertainment, with brands such as Apple, Samsung and Uber among those using the platform.

Major brands on here include Apple, Samsung and Uber.

There's little reason not to have an account: signing up is free, and you can quickly check there before buying something online.

Student Beans

Cost: Free
Best for: Another large range of discounts — deals UNiDAYS may not have

Student Beans works similarly. You verify your student status and receive free access to discounts online and in-store.

Its range overlaps considerably with UNiDAYS, but the two platforms don't always have the same retailers or the same offers. Student Beans lists brands including Apple, ASOS, Gymshark and WHSmith, alongside discounts covering food, fashion, travel and technology.

So, it's worth signing up for both Student Beans and UNiDAYS and checking each before a larger purchase.

TOTUM

Cost: Free basic membership; TOTUM+ starts at £14.99 a year
Best for: Students who will use its extra benefits regularly

TOTUM is the successor to the old NUS Extra card. Its basic digital membership is free, while TOTUM+ starts at £14.99 per year.

The paid version adds benefits beyond normal discount codes, including a physical card, cashback features, a PASS-accredited proof-of-age ID and international ISIC discounts.

That makes it potentially useful, but unlike UNiDAYS and Student Beans, you need to decide whether you'll actually save enough through the additional benefits to justify paying for it. For most students, it's probably not worth it.

So, which should you use?

For most students, the answer is UNiDAYS and Student Beans — not one or the other. Both are free, and their offers differ often enough that having both makes sense.

TOTUM is more of an optional extra. Start with its free membership and only consider TOTUM+ if you've checked the benefits and know you'll make back the £14.99 fee.