# Sample Ox vs Blackbird

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sample Ox at 100% against Blackbird's 36%. Sample Ox also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Blackbird's advantage is ratings volume (13K vs 5) and update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Blackbird holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blackbird has 13K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Sample Ox's written reviews are positive against 36% of Blackbird's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Sample Ox ships an update every 5 weeks, Blackbird weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sample Ox | Blackbird |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sample-ox/id1477863984/reviews) | **[4.8 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbird-vip-dining-rewards/id6447012323/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **13K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 35.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 10 MB | 185 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Lean Sensory Systems, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/934625153) | [Blackbird Labs, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1664290294) |

## What reviewers say

### Sample Ox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sample-ox/id1477863984)

Discover and rate various products like beer, coffee, and spirits. Compare your tasting notes with friends and experts, and track your palate's evolution over time. Participate in special tasting events to evaluate new products.

**Highlights:** Rate products with friends, Build and track your palate, Use industry-standard flavor terms, Compare results with experts, Join special tasting events, Evaluate new products

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Blackbird

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbird-vip-dining-rewards/id6447012323)

Earn significant rewards on dining spend with a unique payment card and reservation tool. Discover new restaurants, book tables, and enjoy exclusive perks as you dine more.

**Highlights:** Earn up to 7X dining rewards, Discover and reserve tables, Pay with FlyCard anywhere, Exclusive Blackbird Club perks, 10X rewards at participating coffee shops, NFT and token features

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Great rewards program
- 🚀 Smooth check-in process
- 💡 Unique NFT and token features
- 👍 Fun and engaging experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Confusing user interface
- 🐛 Technical difficulties and glitches
- 🐛 Poor restaurant staff training
- 💡 Unclear how to use rewards/tokens
- 🐛 Deceptive concept with 'fly coins'

**Reported bugs**

- Authorization process not working
- Inability to update account information
- Inconsistent check-in and payment experience

**Requested features**

- Ability to view list of available restaurants
- Improved restaurant search and discovery
- Better integration with restaurant systems
- Clearer explanation of rewards and payment process


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sample Ox free?

Sample Ox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Blackbird free?

Blackbird is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Sample Ox or Blackbird?

Blackbird is rated higher. Sample Ox averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Blackbird averages 4.8 from 13K ratings.

### Do Sample Ox or Blackbird have ads?

Neither Sample Ox nor Blackbird shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sample Ox or Blackbird?

Sample Ox ships an update every 5 weeks, and Blackbird weekly. Most recently, Sample Ox was updated on November 3, 2026 and Blackbird on November 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*