Comparison

NRKW ID vs SayOrca

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

NRKW ID

This app provides up-to-date identification images and detailed information for individuals in the Northern Resident killer whale population. Navigate by clan, pod, matriline, sex, or age class to learn about each whale's name, sex, birth year, and mother.

Highlights
  • Killer whale identification images
  • Detailed individual information
  • Navigation by clan, pod, and matriline
  • Filtering by sex and age class
  • Full-screen image viewing
  • News on population status
Features
Read full description

This application provides up to date identification images of all live individuals belonging to the Northern Resident killer whale population. Annual updates will include the addition of images for new calves, revised images for individuals whose appearance has significantly changed and relevant notes. You can navigate by Clan, Pod and Matriline, or by sex and age class. In the ALL section, "Mature females" include all females 15 years of age or older, individuals over 14 who have not sprouted and any younger individuals who have given birth. "Mature males" include all individuals who have started sprouting, males with a dorsal fin that has reached its maximum height after sprouting, and all known males over 14 who have not started sprouting yet. "Juveniles" include all individuals aged between 4 and 14 years old and "Calves" include all individuals aged 3 or less. Individuals in the ALL section are arranged alphanumerically by name, whereas in the Matriline view, they are first laid out by generation, each of which is indented, and secondly by birth year. Identification images of each killer whale include information about the individual (name, sex, birth year, mother) and information about the image (photographer and year taken). Each image can be visualized in full screen by clicking on it. The News section provides information on the status of individuals in the Northern Resident killer whale population. **TERMS & CONDITIONS** These terms and conditions of service are a legal binding agreement between you and Bay Cetology governing your use of the NRKW ID Application. By using the app, you agree to be bound by the following Terms: The NRKW ID App and all the trademarks, copyrights, database rights and other intellectual property rights related to it, belong to the owner of the app, Bay Cetology. The NRKW ID App and all of its content, including, but not limited to, images, text, graphic designs such as logos and icons must not be copied, modified or republished in any way without permission from Bay Cetology. Any attempt to extract the source code of the NRKW ID App, translate the app into other languages, or make derivative versions is not permitted. The NRKW ID App stores and processes your name, email address and password, as stated in our Privacy Policy. It is your responsibility to keep your phone and access to the app secure. If we terminate the NRKW ID app, (a) the rights and licenses granted to you in these terms will end; (b) you must stop using the app, and (if needed) delete it from your device. Bay Cetology reserves the right to change the Terms at any time without prior notice. Your continued access and use of the app after such changes indicates your acceptance of the Terms as modified. This NRKW ID App was made possible with data and support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. App design by Elysanne Durand and Jared Towers. App icon and calf identification image placeholder designed by Tasli Shaw. **CONTACT US** If you have any questions or suggestions, or wish to report copyright infringements, contact us at info@baycetology.org.

About

SayOrca

Learn to identify different orca families by their unique vocalizations. This app allows you to classify orca matrilines based on their distinct sounds, with the ability to test your skills with live recordings during the summer months. Discover the acoustic signatures of over 300 orcas from British Columbia.

Highlights
  • Classify orca matrilines by sound
  • Learn distinct orca vocalizations
  • Test skills with live hydrophone recordings
  • Discover acoustic signatures of orca families
  • Educational reference app
Features
Read full description

Ever wanted to speak like an orca? For over 50 years, OrcaLab has been listening to the unique and beautiful calls of the Northern Resident Orca community who inhabit the waters of British Columbia, Canada. There are over 300 orcas in this community, and each family has its own distinct sound. In this app, you'll learn how to classify different orca families - called 'matrilines' based entirely on their sound. Each matriline has a repertoire of around 10-15 discreet calls which forms their acoustic signature, and with enough practice you'll be able to recognize different orcas just by listening! From July through September you can test your skills by listening live to our hydrophones, as the Northern Resident Orcas visit their summer home. Head to our website to learn more. This reference app was made by the non-profit whale research station, OrcaLab. All recordings are the property of the Pacific Orca Society and may not be shared, distributed or copied without permission. For licensing inquiries please contact OrcaLab directly via their website.

Screenshots

NRKW ID4 screens
SayOrca4 screens

Verdict

The call

NRKW ID and SayOrca both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 94% of SayOrca's written reviews are positive against 50% of NRKW ID's. SayOrca also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks) and ratings volume (21 vs 5). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for NRKW ID against 5.0 for SayOrca. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 21 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of NRKW ID's written reviews are positive against 94% of SayOrca's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NRKW ID ships an update every 2 weeks, SayOrca every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
NRKW ID versus SayOrca: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNRKW IDSayOrca
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings)5.0 (21 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews94.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings521 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size476 MB56 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAlert Bay Cetological SocietyPacific Orca Society

Customer experience

NRKW ID

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

SayOrca

All ratings21 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive94.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.9%

In-app purchases

None

NRKW ID

No in-app purchases

None

SayOrca

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NRKW ID free?
NRKW ID is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SayOrca free?
SayOrca is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NRKW ID or SayOrca?
NRKW ID and SayOrca are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 5 and 21 ratings respectively.
Do NRKW ID or SayOrca have ads?
Neither NRKW ID nor SayOrca shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NRKW ID or SayOrca?
NRKW ID ships an update every 2 weeks, and SayOrca every 4 days. Most recently, NRKW ID was updated on October 24, 2026 and SayOrca on October 24, 2026.

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