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

McDonald's vs Starbucks

McDonald's 4.8★ · Free to download 40
Winner Starbucks
Starbucks 4.9★ · Free to download 70

Starbucks offers a more reliable and functional app experience, despite some issues with its rewards program, while McDonald's app is plagued by widespread performance problems.

Full reviews: McDonald's · Starbucks

McDonald's app is widely criticized for being slow, buggy, and frequently logging users out, making mobile ordering a frustrating experience. Starbucks' app, while not without its flaws like expiring rewards and occasional ordering issues, generally provides a smoother and more convenient experience for users.

Head to head

Performance and Reliability edge: StarbucksR1R2R5R9
McDonald's McDonald's app is consistently described as extremely slow, taking minutes to load, and frequently freezing or crashing R1R5R9R10. Users report constant bugs, glitches, and issues with codes not being accepted . The app also frequently logs users out, requiring them to re-login R2R31.
Starbucks Starbucks' app also experiences occasional lagging, crashing, and infinite loading, especially without a good internet connection or during busy times . Some users report issues with orders not going through or being delayed . However, these complaints are less frequent and severe than those for McDonald's.
Ease of Use and Ordering edge: StarbucksR2R4R5R10
McDonald's While some users find the McDonald's app easy to place orders R2, many are frustrated by the slow loading times, making it difficult to order efficiently R5R10. There are also complaints about being forced to update the app at inconvenient times and issues with registration R4.
Starbucks Starbucks' app is generally praised for being easy to use and convenient for mobile ordering, allowing users to skip lines and customize drinks . However, some users find the delivery feature poorly implemented and note missing customization options for certain drinks . There are also issues with signing up and the app not working on older iPhones .
Rewards and Deals tieR11R15R18R20
McDonald's McDonald's app is valued by some for helping save money and making meals affordable R11. However, many users report issues with points disappearing R20, codes not being accepted R18, and the point system becoming more expensive R15R31. Some users also find that deals are not available in their area or that the value of deals decreases over time .
Starbucks Starbucks' app allows users to earn reward points and get deals R65. However, a significant number of users are disappointed with the rewards program, citing stars expiring quickly R64R65R111, changes to the 2x stars with pre-loading a card R64, and an overall feeling that the program is less rewarding than it used to be R64. Some also wish they could redeem points for more food choices .
Customer Service and Support tieR3R18R43R67
McDonald's McDonald's app users report difficulties with customer service, such as being directed to a 1-800 number for delivery issues instead of in-app support R3. There are also complaints about stores not accepting app codes R18 and issues with refunds when stores are unexpectedly closed R43.
Starbucks Starbucks users have experienced unhelpful online support when rewards or purchase history disappeared R67. There are also complaints about delivery issues with spilled drinks and inadequate refunds , and a lack of in-app options for refunds or remakes when orders are wrong .
Payment and Account Management edge: McDonald'sR2R4R7R31
McDonald's McDonald's app users report issues with the app forgetting login details R2R31 and problems with registration R4. There are also complaints about the app not storing order information R7.
Starbucks Starbucks' app has a notable issue with mandatory card reloads, often requiring users to add more funds than their order total R79R87R90R101. Some users also report issues with adding credit cards or using multiple gift cards for one order .
Pick McDonald's if

You are a loyal McDonald's customer who prioritizes saving money through deals, despite the app's significant performance issues R11.

Pick Starbucks if

You value a generally smooth and convenient mobile ordering experience, are willing to overlook some issues with the rewards program, and frequently customize your coffee orders .

Evidence note: The evidence for McDonald's app performance issues is overwhelming and consistent across many reviews. Starbucks' app also has reported issues, but they are less frequent and severe, and the app's core functionality for ordering is generally praised.

Frequently asked

Why is the McDonald's app so slow?
The McDonald's app is frequently criticized by users for being extremely slow, taking anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes to load or register taps, even on new phones R1R5R9R10.
Do Starbucks rewards points expire?
Yes, Starbucks reward stars do expire, with several users expressing disappointment that their stars disappeared after a couple of months of inactivity R64R65R111.
Can I pay the exact amount for my order on the Starbucks app?
No, many Starbucks app users report that the app often requires a mandatory reload of a minimum amount (e.g., $10 or $25) to a Starbucks card, rather than allowing them to pay the exact price of their order directly R79R87R90R101.
Is mobile ordering faster with the McDonald's app?
Many users report that mobile ordering with the McDonald's app does not save time, with some still waiting 20 minutes or more for their order even when there are no other customers, and others finding it faster to just use the drive-thru R6R34R60.

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. [R1] McDonald's 1/5 · US App sucks: Takes WAYYYY too long to load anything at all I’ll miss out on certain things
  2. [R2] McDonald's 4/5 · US Simple and Quick: Love how easy it is to place an order accurately, just wish it didn’t log me out every time I exit the app.
  3. [R5] 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
  4. [R9] McDonald's 3/5 · US SLOW: Painfully slow
  5. [R4] McDonald's 1/5 · US Registro: No permite registrar de ninguna forma.
  6. [R10] 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.
  7. [R11] McDonald's 5/5 · US McDonald’s app: I use this app everyday and I love it I’m on a limited budget and this help me save everyday I eat there and makes it very affordable
  8. [R15] McDonald's 3/5 · US Points and rewards: I feel as if though points and rewards should be able to be redeemed at the same time, the POINTS are my MONEY and the deals are what you offer. Sonic has this figured out, why haven’t you?
  9. [R18] McDonald's 3/5 · US Not working: I’ve used this app for a couple of years and within the last 2-3 months McDonald’s Restaurants have not been accepting the codes given to me by the app. I’ve updated the app and still the same issue.
  10. [R20] McDonald's 5/5 · US McD’s App Drops Reward Points for no Reason: I’ve had this app for a couple of years now and every 6 months or so, out of nowhere, my earned Rewards Points just stop off and disappear. The first time the McD’s help team wasn’t too helpful with their so-called fixes after much back and forth. I finally found a fix myself by deleting the app, downloading a new app and registering for a new account.
  11. [R3] 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.
  12. [R43] McDonald's 3/5 · US The app is fine and easy to use: My biggest complaint is the stores and the app don’t communicate whatsoever when the stores are closed unless it was something planned by corporate themselves. Whenever the stores are having some kind of update or upgrade the app, still let you order to it and by the time you get there to see that the store is not in fact open it’s too late to refund your order so
  13. [R67] 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. [R7] McDonald's 2/5 · US Limited Capability: If you log and order in with kiosk and the machine is out of paper you are out of luck proving your order other than showing the funds were taken out of your account. This app should store your order.
  15. [R31] McDonald's 1/5 · US On God might be the worst fast food app ever: Never loads, always signs you out, freezes randomly, loading screens can last anywhere from 2 seconds to 2 whole minutes, the deals are buggy, and they just raised the point system by like 500pts for everything. If this wasn’t the BUGGIEST fast food app on the App Store I could look past the other things but for a multi BILLION dollar company and argua
  16. [R64] 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
  17. [R65] 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
  18. [R111] 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. [R79] Starbucks 1/5 · US Just let me pay for my order: You shouldn’t have to add funds greater than your order. Just let me pay for my order like literally every other fast food app.
  20. [R87] Starbucks 3/5 · US It’s great but…: Starbucks is great their drinks are amazing but i don’t like how when ordering off the app online the reload card is strange. My order was only $5 plus tax, it took $10 dollars off of my card and didn’t give me an option to just pay the regular price.
  21. [R90] 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
  22. [R101] Starbucks 2/5 · US Maintain card reload levels as already set!: Don’t make us pay more than we want to into your payment system. I had my reload level preset to $10, yet it defaulted again to $25. When we’re in the drive-thru line, scrambling to pay before our turn, and we’ve just woken up, this is one last irritation to help us avoid this negative feeling. You’re going to get our money anyway…! Don’t be messing
  23. [R6] McDonald's 3/5 · US Always a wait: I use the app to order ahead of time, but I still have to wait for 20 minutes when I’m at the store. I don’t understand what the point of pre-ordering my food is if I’m still just gonna have to sit here. And there’s literally no one in the store or in line. I am the only customer and it’s taking 20+ minutes.
  24. [R34] McDonald's 1/5 · US Useles: It’s faster to just drive through. It takes forever for them to bring food out if you order in app. Also, very unintuitive.
  25. [R60] McDonald's 1/5 · US Doesn't save time: I submitted my order, took my time and drove to McDonald's. Gave my code at order kiosk at drive through and pay window. Now waiting for my simple order, as car after car drives up and orders, picks it up and drives away. Time saver? No way. This is the first and last time I use this app. Deleting it today.

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