ZUS Coffee vs. Starbucks: which coffee tastes better?
Coffee is a daily need for many. The loved drink is found globally, and it is vital to look at coffee companies in different regions to know how they differ.
As a coffee enthusiast, I am excited to learn how coffee is made worldwide. Starbucks is unarguably the number one coffee chain with an international market reach worldwide, and it competes with local companies in different countries. ZUS coffee is a coffee chain in Malaysia that boasts of crafting and delivering excellence when it comes to coffee. People may not know the difference between the two coffeehouses so I created this post to help you learn how they differ, so keep reading.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between ZUS Coffee Vs Starbucks?
Features |
ZUS Coffee |
Starbucks |
Ambience |
Comfortable seats, warm lighting and colors, and a seating arrangement favorable for interactions. Additionally, you will find the perfect atmosphere to express love. |
Welcoming atmosphere, working desks, charging outlets, strong Wi-Fi, warm lighting, beautiful art pieces on the wall, and a seating arrangement favors interactions. |
Location |
Has100 locations across Malaysia |
Has not less than 33,833stores in more than 80 countries |
Menu |
The beverages menu is not diverse The food options are very limited |
Includes many specialty drinks and even has a secret menu The food options are somehow limited |
Price range |
Affordable pricing |
Most products are expensive |
Beverage sizes |
Beverages are served in an average sized cup |
It ranges between 8 fl oz. and 31 fl oz. |
Environmental consciousness |
Zus Rice Straws are 100% biodegradable and turtle-friendly Cups take 100 days to decompose |
Uses dishwashers to minimize water usage and recycles cups. |
ZUS Coffee Vs Starbucks – How they compare

Ambience
ZUS coffee stores feature comfortable seats, warm lighting and colors, and a seating arrangement favorable for interactions. Visit their store, and you will find the perfect atmosphere to express love.
On the other hand, Starbucks stores have a welcoming atmosphere, working desks, charging outlets, strong Wi-Fi, warm lighting, beautiful art pieces on the wall, and a seating arrangement that favors interactions.
Starbucks wins in this category because its stores are more ambient compared to ZUS coffee stores.
Location
ZUS coffee has fewer stores. It has 100 stores across Malaysia.
On the other hand, Starbucks has more stores. It has more than 33,833 stores in over 80 cities across the world.
Starbucks wins in this category because it has more locations than ZUS coffee.
Menu
ZUS coffee’s beverage menu is not diverse. The coffeehouse chain has fewer options in every drink category compared to Starbucks. Some of the beverages on its menu include; oatly series, Frappes, Signature drinks, zero series, coffee, refreshers, tea, kiddo-friendly, and chocolate.
ZUS coffee’s food item menu is very limited. The coffeehouse offers its customers all-day breakfast, cakes, muffins, pastries, hot meals, and healthy snacks.
On the other hand, Starbucks has a more diverse beverage menu, which includes specialty and secret menu drinks. On the Starbucks beverage menu, you will find; coffee (cold, iced, and hot), tea (hot and iced), frappes, and cold drinks.
Additionally, at Starbucks, you can customize beverages on the menu to your liking by choosing your preferred flavors, milk options, and add-ins when making an order.
Starbucks’ food item menu is limited but more diverse than the ZUS coffee’s. Starbucks offers its customers hot breakfast, lunch, bakery, snacks and sweets, oatmeal, and yogurt.
Starbucks wins in this category because it has a more diverse menu. Starbucks has more beverages and food items compared to ZUS coffee.
Price range
Most ZUS coffee products are affordable. The coffeehouse seeks to make coffee a necessity but not a luxury. On the other hand, most Starbucks products are expensive. Prices on ZUS coffee products are lower than those of the same products at Starbucks.
ZUS coffee wins in this category because it is the cheaper option. Notably, even though it is the cheaper option, ZUS coffee does not compromise on quality.
Beverage sizes
Starbucks serves its customers drinks in small (8 oz.), tall (12 oz.), grande (16 oz.), venti (20 oz.), or a tenta (31 oz.) cup sizes.
On the other hand, ZUS coffee serves its customers beverages in an average sized cup.
Starbucks wins in this category because it has more elaborate serving sizes.
Environmental consciousness
ZUS coffee has some strategies in place to reduce its footprint on the environment. For instance, its coffee cups are made of materials that decompose within 100 days. Additionally, its straws are 100% biodegradable and turtle-friendly.
On the other hand, Starbucks also has strategies to minimize environmental pollution and water wastage. For instance, in Starbucks stores, there are dishwashers to minimize wastage of water. Additionally, the company encourages its customers to reuse their coffee cups by rewarding those who bring their cups when placing their consecutive orders.
This category is a draw because although the companies do not have the same environmental protection strategies, they have demonstrated that they care about environmental conservation.
ZUS Coffee Vs. Starbucks – A Comparison Overview
ZUS Coffee Overview

ZUS coffee was launched in 2019, and since then it has grown by leaps and bounds. The company’s general manager is Venon Tian.
The company credits its success to its customers, it refers to as ZUSsies. Its primary mission is to convert coffee from a luxury to a daily necessity for all people to enjoy.
To date, the company has delivered approximately 8.8 million cups. The company thanks ZUSsies for that achievement. Additionally, over the less than three years it has been in operation, the company has expanded significantly to 100 stores across Malaysia.
To achieve its goal ZUS coffee offers its customers consistent, clean, and well-handled coffee. Additionally, the company uses the best quality ingredients, an innovative business model, and high-end coffee brewing technology.
Other than taking your beverage or food in its beautiful stores with comfortable seats, warm lighting, colors, and a seating arrangement favorable for interactions, ZUS coffee allows customers to make orders online via its mobile app.
Last but not least, the company demonstrates that it is environmentally conscious by using cups that decompose after 100 days. Additionally, the company uses rice straws which are biodegradable and turtle friendly.
Starbucks Overview

Starbucks was founded over five decades ago by Zev Siegl, Jerry Baldwin, and Gordon Bowker. The current Starbucks CEO is Howard Schultz.
Despite being launched in 1971, Starbucks only became a coffeehouse 16 years later, thanks to Howard Schultz, who was inspired by Italy’s coffee culture. Initially, Starbucks only sold freshly roasted coffee beans, spices, and tea for use at home.
Over the 30 years, it has been in the coffeehouse chain industry, Starbucks has expanded significantly to over 33,833 stores worldwide. The company’s huge success in the coffeehouse chain industry can be attributed to its decision to use a common theme in all its stores and its premium coffee beverages.
Other than offering its customers delicious coffee, Starbucks’ stores feature a welcoming atmosphere, working desks, charging outlets, strong Wi-Fi, warm lighting, beautiful art pieces on the wall, and a seating arrangement that favors interactions.
Additionally, if you are not in the mood to drink your coffee at the Starbucks store, you can place an order via the Starbucks website or mobile app.
Over its long tenure in the coffeehouse chain industry, Starbucks continues to demonstrate its environmental consciousness by developing with and implementing various environment conservation strategies.
Final Verdict: So, Which is Better? – ZUS Coffee Vs. Starbucks
Starbucks is better than ZUS coffee. It is so because the former has more locations across the world. Therefore, even if one travels from one country to another, there is a high possibility of accessing your favorite Starbucks products.
Starbucks also offers its customers a more ambient store environment. Starbucks stores have a welcoming atmosphere, working desks, charging outlets, strong Wi-Fi, warm lighting, beautiful art pieces on the wall, and a seating arrangement that favors interactions.
Additionally, it offers its customers a wide variety of high-quality beverages. You can also customize menu drinks at Starbucks to suit your preference and taste.
FAQ Section
Which is more popular between Starbucks and ZUS Coffee?
Starbucks is more popular because it has stores in most countries worldwide.
What is the big difference between Starbucks and ZUS Coffee?
Starbucks has a global market reach, while ZUS coffee is only found in Malaysia.
Is ZUS Coffee healthier than Starbucks’?
Starbucks is healthier than ZUS coffee because most of its beverages have lower calories.