UQ Planner alternative
Smoov vs UQ Planner
UQ Planner helps University of Queensland students visualise semester timetables. Smoov goes further - it optimises your schedule around work, sleep, and social constraints across any Australian university.
| Category | Smoov | UQ Planner |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling approach | Constraint-satisfaction solver generates 2-4 ranked schedule options optimised for your preferences. Each option includes tradeoff explanations showing what you gain and give up. | Visual timetable planner where you select classes and see them on a calendar view. Saves your preferred plan for reference during class preferencing. |
| University support | Works with any Australian university. Allocate+ import supports 15 universities. Manual entry for all others. | UQ only. Connects to UQ course data and shows classes for courses you are enrolled in. |
| Optimisation | Eight weighted preferences (avoid early mornings, minimise gaps, protect lunch, minimise campus days, and more) actively drive the solver to find the best schedule for your life. | No automated optimisation. Students manually compare class times and choose their preferred options. |
| Work shift protection | Block work shifts, recurring appointments, or fixed commitments as hard constraints. The solver guarantees no class will be scheduled during those times. | No constraint system. Students must manually check for conflicts between classes and personal commitments. |
| Export | Export to ICS (Apple Calendar, Outlook) or Google Calendar. Share a visual timetable card on social media. Premium feature. | Export to iCal format. Multiple calendar support on device. |
| Group scheduling | SmoovSync lets friend groups find schedule combinations with maximum shared free time. Scored by five metrics including shared lunch breaks and campus days. | No group scheduling. Students coordinate manually outside the tool. |
Why students choose Smoov
- Works at any Australian university, not just UQ
- Automated solver finds optimal schedules instead of manual browsing
- Work shifts are treated as unbreakable constraints
- Tradeoff explanations help you make informed choices between options
- SmoovSync group scheduling for coordinating with friends
- Preference-based enrollment rankings for universities that use preference systems
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Smoov at UQ?
Yes. Smoov works with any Australian university including UQ. UQ uses Allocate+ for class allocation, so you can import your class data directly into Smoov via the Allocate+ JSON export.
Is UQ Planner free?
Yes, UQ Planner is free for UQ students. Smoov also has a free tier covering 4 subjects, 2 schedule options, and 3 preferences.
Does Smoov replace UQ Planner?
Smoov complements your university tools rather than replacing them. Use Smoov to find your optimal schedule, then use UQ's official system to submit your class preferences during the preferencing window.