What's on the menu vs swap.menu
swap.menu is a menu translator for travelers that runs in the browser. Both turn a photographed menu into your language and help you order. Here is how they differ.
The main differences
swap.menu runs in the browser with nothing to install. It explains dishes in text, converts prices to your currency and flags general dietary hints like vegetarian, pork or nuts. To order, the waiter scans a QR code and sees your order in their language.
What's on the menu is an app for iPhone and Android. It shows a photo of every dish, checks each dish against the allergy profile you set once, and reads your order aloud to the waiter in the local language.
| Feature | What's on the menu | swap.menu |
|---|---|---|
| Translates the menu text | Yes | Yes |
| Shows a photo of every dish | Yes, from our library or generated by AI | No |
| Checks dishes against your allergies | Yes, set your profile once | General dietary hints (vegetarian, pork, nuts and more) |
| Ordering | Reads your order aloud in the local language | Waiter scans a QR code to see your order |
| Where it runs | iPhone and Android app | In the browser |
| Price | Free to try. 24h Pass $1.49, Holiday Pass (14 days) $6.99, Annual $69.99 | 3 free scans. Weekend (4 days) A$4.99, Trip (14 days) A$9.99, Globetrotter (1 year) A$29.99 |
swap.menu details checked in October 2026. Prices and features may have changed since.
When swap.menu is the better fit
If you don't want to install anything, want prices converted to your currency, or travel all year and want the cheapest annual option, swap.menu is a good choice.
Questions
What is the difference between swap.menu and What's on the menu?
swap.menu runs in the browser and explains dishes in text. What's on the menu is a phone app that shows a photo of every dish, checks dishes against your allergies and reads your order aloud.
Which one is cheaper?
For a single dinner, What's on the menu (24h Pass, $1.49). For a two-week trip they are close: our Holiday Pass is $6.99 and swap.menu's Trip Pass is A$9.99. For a whole year, swap.menu's Globetrotter (A$29.99) is cheaper than our Annual plan ($69.99).
Which languages does What's on the menu support?
More than 50 languages, including non-Latin scripts like Chinese characters and Arabic.
Ready for your next trip?
Download the AppFree on iPhone and Android: up to 10 menu scans a day and 3 AI dish photos when you sign up. No purchase needed.
Also compared: vs Google Lens, vs ChatGPT
