Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Starbucks vs McDonald's

Starbucks 4.9★ · Free to download 75
Winner Starbucks
McDonald's 4.8★ · Free to download 40

Starbucks is the better choice for users prioritizing a more reliable and feature-rich mobile ordering experience, despite its recent reward program changes, while McDonald's struggles significantly with app performance and consistency.

Full reviews: Starbucks · McDonald's

Starbucks offers a generally smoother mobile ordering experience with customization options and a rewards program, though recent changes to star expiration and reload policies have drawn criticism. McDonald's app, despite offering deals, is plagued by severe performance issues, slow loading times, and frequent bugs that hinder its usability for ordering and redeeming rewards.

Head to head

Features & Customization edge: StarbucksR8R14R15R17
Starbucks Starbucks users appreciate the ability to customize drinks and pre-order, saving time R8R14R17. However, some features have been removed, like certain coupons or specific drink modifications R15. There's also a desire for more options like 'no lid' or 'tea bag on the side' .
McDonald's McDonald's users value the deals and rewards offered through the app . However, the app's functionality often limits these features, with users reporting issues with codes being invalid or rewards disappearing . Some users wish for more advanced pre-ordering features, like preparing an order to send when near a store .
Ease of Use & Reliability edge: StarbucksR1R6R9R12
Starbucks Starbucks is generally seen as easy to use for ordering and earning rewards . However, there are significant complaints about the app crashing, freezing, or having infinite loading screens, especially with poor internet connections or on older devices R1. Some users also report issues with orders not going through or being delayed R6R9R12.
McDonald's McDonald's app is consistently criticized for being extremely slow, buggy, and unreliable R61R69R70. Users report long loading times, frequent crashes, being logged out, and codes not working .
Rewards Program tieR4R5R8R18
Starbucks Starbucks' rewards program is a major draw, allowing users to earn stars for free items and deals R5R8. However, many users are highly dissatisfied with recent changes, including stars expiring quickly R4R5R51, the removal of 2x stars for pre-loading cards R4, and the mandatory minimum reload amounts that exceed the order total R30. Some also find redemption options limited R18.
McDonald's McDonald's app offers deals and rewards points that help users save money . However, users report issues with points disappearing , rewards becoming more expensive , and the inability to combine points and deals . There are also complaints about offers not being available in certain areas and bonus offers disappearing .
Order Accuracy & Pickup edge: StarbucksR2R9R14R17
Starbucks Starbucks users generally appreciate the convenience of mobile ordering to skip lines R14R17. However, issues arise with orders not being sent to the store promptly R9, incorrect orders being made R2R33, and a lack of in-app options for refunds or remakes for wrong orders R33R49.
McDonald's McDonald's users frequently experience long waits for their mobile orders, negating the benefit of pre-ordering . Some also report receiving incorrect orders or poor quality food . The app also doesn't store order history, making it difficult to prove an order if there's an issue with a kiosk .
Customer Support & Issue Resolution tieR7R30R34R63
Starbucks Starbucks users report mixed experiences with customer support. Some found help with bonus stars R30, but others found online support unhelpful for lost rewards or purchase history R7. Issues with delivery orders, such as spilled drinks, were met with inadequate refunds R34.
McDonald's McDonald's users have difficulty resolving issues, with the app directing to 1-800 numbers for delivery problems R63 and help teams being unhelpful for disappearing points . Some locations also refuse certain payment methods like change .
Pick Starbucks if

Pick Starbucks if you prioritize a generally more stable app for mobile ordering and customization, and are willing to navigate recent changes to their rewards program, especially if you frequently purchase Starbucks products R8R14R17.

Pick McDonald's if

Pick McDonald's if your primary motivation is to access deals and discounts, and you are prepared to tolerate significant app performance issues, slow loading times, and potential frustration with reward redemption .

Evidence note: The evidence for McDonald's is heavily skewed towards negative reviews regarding app performance and reliability, making it difficult to find positive counterpoints for those specific dimensions.

Frequently asked

Does the Starbucks app work on older iPhones?
No, recent updates to the Starbucks app have caused it to no longer work on older iPhones, such as the iPhone X with iOS 16 R1R53.
Do Starbucks rewards stars expire?
Yes, Starbucks reward stars expire, with users reporting losing stars if they haven't used the app in as little as two months R4R5R51.
Is the McDonald's app slow?
Yes, the McDonald's app is widely reported by users as being extremely slow, taking anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes to load or register inputs, even on newer phones R61R65R69R70.
Can you get a refund for a wrong order in the Starbucks app?
No, the Starbucks app currently lacks an option to get a refund or request a remake for orders that are made incorrectly R33R49.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R8] Starbucks 5/5 · US The App Gets You Free Reward Points!: The app is way better personally because you can earn reward points,customize drinks and more.
  2. [R14] Starbucks 4/5 · US Amazing: Skips the line even at work I ask if I can pre order a coffee to pick up when my breaks start so I don’t waste time waiting. I love saving up my points for location specific cups. I sell them on eBay when I have to many or gift them. It does lag during busy times of the day and depending on location. Other then that it’s so helpful
  3. [R15] Starbucks 3/5 · US Took away the best features: I used to love this app, but it’s like they’re getting worse and worse they took away the best features such as the coupons and now you can no longer get a medicine ball on the app.
  4. [R17] Starbucks 5/5 · US stellbells: i get starbucks almost every day before school and the app makes it so much easier to get my order in time so i don’t miss the bell🙃
  5. [R1] Starbucks 1/5 · US No longer works on older iPhones: No longer works on iPhone X with iOS 16, so won’t be purchasing coffee from Starbucks until I get a new phone in a few months.
  6. [R6] Starbucks 3/5 · US Charges reload without sending order: A few times now the app will charge the reload amount when ordering…then not actually send the order at all. Also usually excludes certain food orders from being added via the menu and requires adding a past order even when the item is still in stock.
  7. [R9] Starbucks 3/5 · US Not great!: So when you use the mobile app to order, your order doesn’t instantly go through to the store. We waited over half an hour only to be told that the barista didn’t get our order until about 5 minutes before. There’s no point in using the mobile order app if you’re waiting in line anyway for over 40 minutes just to get coffee!
  8. [R12] Starbucks 3/5 · US Please fix it: I love this app but lately every time I try to place a order it says something’s wrong on their end and I even tried a different location and deleting and reinstalling the app then updating it and nothing helped I don’t know if it’s a bug or what but I hope it gets fixed.
  9. [R4] Starbucks 1/5 · US Reward Program: Very disappointed that Starbucks has changed their rewards policy. I’ve lost 300 stars because I haven’t used the app in 2 months. I feel like there should be a better way of doing this, stars should never expire considering the money was spent. Makes me not want to use the app. Especially after changing the 2x stars with pre loading a card. What’s the point of loading a card if I
  10. [R5] Starbucks 5/5 · US Stars: You get deals and can preorder and see what drinks there are and get stars for free stuff but the stars disappear that’s why I didn’t put 5 star
  11. [R18] Starbucks 3/5 · US Redemption offers: I really would love to use my points for food choices. This isn’t made available causing my unused points to be a waste
  12. [R2] Starbucks 5/5 · US Favorites!: Please consider making the mobile order default to favorites instead of previous orders!! I often purchase coffee for a friend or get a coffee in a target Starbucks.. then I accidentally order myself the wrong coffee when I’m rushing. Target made my latte correct yesterday and rang it in completely wrong so I got a latte today with milk I can’t drink so I have to buy another now 😝
  13. [R7] Starbucks 1/5 · US Horrible don’t bother using: I came in religiously and signed up for the rewards and at one point everything was ok until I had to update the app . Then everything went away. There was no rewards/ no purchase history. I contacted their live online support and they were no help . I rather just pay cash/use card .
  14. [R30] Starbucks 3/5 · US Mandatory Reload: So far everything good I had an issue with bonus stars but I call to the customer service an they help me. I tried tu purchase on the app with a. Gift card a friend gave me but it wouldn’t let me pay the difference which was 5 dollars instead I have to reload mandatory 10 dollars minimum. Other than that everything is working good
  15. [R34] Starbucks 1/5 · US Delivery: Bad customer service. I ordered two drinks on delivery and they order came with a soaked bag, one of the drinks spilled and leaked all over my work desk when I put it down to open the bag. I contacted support and they offered a $5 refund and said that was the best they could do when the drink was $10 and the delivery fee puts even more on. I told them I’ll take a remake and I’ll even go
  16. [R63] McDonald's 3/5 · US Not for delivery: If you want delivery it’s much safer to order through one of those apps (Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.) directly so if anything is wrong with your order you can have it quickly fixed. McDonald’s app just gives you the 1-800 number for the delivery app.
  17. [R53] Starbucks 1/5 · US App not loading: Recently the Starbucks app stopped working. It was redownloaded and would not even open now. It seems like the app is upgraded geared towards a newer IOS. Whatever it was doing before was fine so not sure why the change.
  18. [R51] Starbucks 1/5 · US Points Expire: Ridiculous how quickly points expire. Stupid you cannot load the exact amount of money on your card, who wants to add $20 to a Starbucks account (just providing free loan to Starbucks) None of the stores know how to make matcha or cold foam, emailed a complaint and even though I have pictures they wouldn't do anything about it because I wasn't given a receipt
  19. [R61] McDonald's 1/5 · US App sucks: Takes WAYYYY too long to load anything at all I’ll miss out on certain things
  20. [R65] McDonald's 5/5 · US The app is way too slow.: This a multi million dollar company and tell me why it’s a genuine PAIN to place a mobile order through this app. With all the money this corporation makes they should be able to improve the quality of their app, LET ALONE the quality of their food and raising prices. McDonald’s used to be a convenient fast food restaurant where you can get meals for cheap. Cheap quality
  21. [R69] McDonald's 3/5 · US SLOW: Painfully slow
  22. [R70] McDonald's 1/5 · US More sluggish than dial up: The app takes a very long time to load anything. Tapping an option takes another 30 seconds before it registers the hit box and then another minute to load. The app is more sluggish than a dial up connection from the 90s.
  23. [R33] Starbucks 3/5 · US Refund/issue option: There have been too many times I’ve grabbed my drink and been on my way to work and it’s made wrong. There is no option in the Starbucks app to get a refund or remake.
  24. [R49] Starbucks 2/5 · US Mistakes: It’s easy to make mistakes when you’re traveling and there’s so many Starbucks. There needs to be a way to refund your money in case you go to the wrong Starbucks or they don’t have your order or if you order at the wrong store.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store