Equal Eats Alternative:
How AllergyPass Compares
Equal Eats popularized the allergy translation card. Here's a straightforward look at how its physical-card, subscription-app model compares to AllergyPass's digital-first approach, so you can pick the one that actually fits how you travel.
What Equal Eats does well
Equal Eats was built by someone who travels with multiple food allergies, and it shows in the product. The cards are credit-card sized, laminated, and hand directly to a server without needing a phone, a charge, or a signal. That matters at a street stall or a rural restaurant where pulling out a device feels awkward or simply isn't practical.
Equal Eats also covers a wide translation catalog: 58 languages and a database of 700+ allergens and ingredients, with a published three-step accuracy process (professional translation, proofreading, native-speaker review). For someone with a single, stable set of allergens who wants a physical card and doesn't mind ordering one per language ahead of a trip, it's a genuinely solid product.
Where AllergyPass differs
The biggest structural difference is the pricing model. Equal Eats sells a physical card per allergen set per language, so a two-country trip with a multi-allergen profile can mean ordering several cards before you leave, and Equal Eats currently ships only to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. AllergyPass is destination-based instead of card-based: a Single Trip Pass unlocks unlimited allergens for one destination for $4.99, and there's nothing to ship or wait on since the card is generated instantly in the browser.
For travelers who visit more than a couple of countries a year, AllergyPass's All Access tier ($7.99/mo or $39.99/yr) covers all 40 live languages rather than paying per card or per language unlock. Equal Eats offers a comparable subscription inside its own app for unlimited digital language access, so the two converge more closely at that tier. The difference there is mainly AllergyPass's flat destination-based access versus Equal Eats's per-card physical option sitting alongside its app subscription.
AllergyPass also skips the account-and-app layer for the free and single-trip tiers: no login is required to build and export a card. Cards export as a PNG image, a PDF, or an Apple/Google Wallet pass, all created on the spot rather than mailed.
Side-by-side comparison
Prices and coverage reflect each company's published details as of July 2026 and can change. Check each site directly before buying if the exact figure matters to your decision.
Which one should you choose
Quick verdict
There's no wrong answer here. Equal Eats has a longer track record and a genuinely well-built physical card. AllergyPass exists because the per-card, per-language pricing model didn't fit a traveler visiting several countries with a changing allergen list, and because a digital-first card can update instantly without waiting for the mail. If your trip is a single destination and you're not sure yet, start with the free tier and see if it covers what you need before paying for anything.
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Build My CardFrequently asked questions
Is AllergyPass cheaper than Equal Eats?
For a single trip, usually yes. Equal Eats sells one physical card per allergen combination per language, so a multi-country trip with several allergens means buying several cards. AllergyPass's Single Trip Pass is a flat $4.99 for one destination with unlimited allergens, and the free tier covers Thai and English with up to three allergens at no cost.
Does Equal Eats ship internationally?
Equal Eats ships physical cards to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. If you live outside those countries, a digital tool like AllergyPass or Equal Eats's own app is the more practical option since there is nothing to wait on or receive by mail.
Can I still get a physical card with AllergyPass?
Yes. AllergyPass generates a card as a PNG image and a PDF you can print yourself at home or at any print shop, in addition to the digital and Apple/Google Wallet versions. There's no laminated plastic card mailed to you, but the printed result works the same way at the table.
Which one has better translation accuracy?
Both companies run a review process rather than raw machine translation. Equal Eats publishes a three-step process of professional translation, proofreading, and native-speaker review. AllergyPass's translation data is versioned and reviewed per language pack, with a schema validator that checks for translation gaps before a language goes live. Neither is a substitute for asking a doctor to review severe or unusual dietary restrictions.
Does either app work offline?
AllergyPass cards can be saved as an image to your phone's camera roll or added to Apple/Google Wallet, both of which work with no signal. Some users have reported that translation apps requiring a live account session don't reliably work offline, so saving your card as an image or wallet pass before you lose signal is the safer habit regardless of which tool you use.
Key takeaways
- Equal Eats sells physical, laminated cards per allergen set per language, plus an app subscription for unlimited digital languages. AllergyPass is digital-first with a free tier, a $4.99 per-destination pass, and All Access plans.
- Equal Eats ships physical cards only to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. AllergyPass has nothing to ship, so it works the same anywhere.
- If you want a laminated card without paying per card, print and laminate an AllergyPass PDF yourself.
- Frequent travelers should compare current subscription pricing on both, since the two converge more closely at the unlimited-language tier.
- Neither tool replaces medical advice for severe or unusual allergies. Review your card's wording with a healthcare professional if you're unsure.
Build a bilingual allergy card for your destination in native script. Select your allergens, set severity, and export as an image, PDF, or wallet pass. No sign-up required for the free tier.
Build my card →This article is for informational and travel preparation purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, and it is not an endorsement or disparagement of any other company's product. Pricing, language counts, and shipping details for third-party products are current as of publication and may change. Verify directly with the provider before purchasing. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before traveling with a food allergy, and carry any prescribed emergency medication at all times. See our full medical disclaimer.