Garmin Messenger™ vs ABA Community
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Garmin Messenger™
Communicate globally with friends and family, even without cell service. Pair with a compatible satellite communicator for secure messaging and SOS capabilities. Enjoy automatic network switching for reliable connectivity and real-time location sharing.
- Global messaging
- Interactive SOS
- Group messaging
- Photo and voice messaging
- Automatic network switching
- Real-time location sharing (LiveTrack)
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Stay in touch with friends and family. Enjoy the security and connectivity of global messaging with the Garmin Messenger™ app. Pair with your compatible inReach® satellite communicator for fast, easy direct messaging and interactive SOS that’s not limited to cellphone coverage areas (active satellite subscription required). The app supports group messaging as well as photo and voice messaging when paired with a compatible Garmin device (1). Automatic switching between internet, cellular, and satellite networks gives you the best connectivity and efficiency for all your messaging. When you have connectivity, the app will work seamlessly even if your inReach device is turned off. Invite your friends and family to download the app to stay connected and keep the conversation going on and off the trail. With the use of the LiveTrack™ feature, loved ones can follow your location in real time (2) and see data such as distance, time and elevation. (1) See compatible devices at garmin.com/p/893837#devices (2) When used with your compatible smartphone and the Garmin Earthmate® app or when used with your compatible inReach® technology-enabled Garmin device. Note: Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.
ABA Community
Connect with fellow bird enthusiasts in a dedicated online community. Engage in themed groups, participate in forums, and get expert advice on bird identification, gear, and travel. Access exclusive opportunities as an ABA member.
- Connect with fellow birders
- Engage in themed groups
- Participate in forums
- Get birding advice
- Access exclusive opportunities
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Inspired by the printed ABA Member Directory that served as a way for members to connect with fellow birders and trip guides many years ago, ABA Community is a safe online network accessed through your ABA membership. To use ABA Community you must be an ABA Member. What can you do at ABA Community: - Connect and interact with fellow birders. - Engage in groups focused on different birding themes. - Read and contribute to forums on specific topics. - Get advice on bird identification, birding gear, travel, and bird sightings. - Access special opportunities and presentations only available on ABA Community. After installing, go to https://www.aba.org/community/community-app/ to activate.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: ABA Community at 63% against Garmin Messenger™'s 20%. ABA Community also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.5 vs 18.0). Garmin Messenger™'s advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.4) and ratings volume (14K vs 9). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Garmin Messenger™ holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Garmin Messenger™ has 14K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 20% of Garmin Messenger™'s written reviews are positive against 63% of ABA Community's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Garmin Messenger™ ships an update every 3 weeks, ABA Community every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Garmin Messenger™ | ABA Community |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (14K ratings) — better | 3.4 (9 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 19.5% of reviews | 62.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 14K — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Best chart rank | #78 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.5 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 107 MB | 94 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Garmin | AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION, INC |
Customer experience
Garmin Messenger™
ABA Community
Bugs and requests
Garmin Messenger™
Reported bugs
4 issues- No verification code received
- App freezes during activation
- Inconsistent behavior between app and device
- Messaging not working in areas with no cell coverage
Requested features
5 requests- Ability to message non-Messenger contacts
- Improved contact management and syncing
- Apple Watch compatibility
- Ability to delete messages on paired devices
- Better integration with Garmin Explore app
ABA Community
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Garmin Messenger™
No in-app purchases
ABA Community
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Garmin Messenger™ free?
Is ABA Community free?
Which has better reviews, Garmin Messenger™ or ABA Community?
Do Garmin Messenger™ or ABA Community have ads?
Which is updated more often, Garmin Messenger™ or ABA Community?
Other comparisons
