Comparison

Shoresearch vs pippyg

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

Head to head
About

Shoresearch

Easily record marine wildlife data from intertidal surveys. Contribute to scientific research, conservation efforts, and monitoring of marine protected areas. Explore your local coast and learn about its unique ecosystem.

Highlights
  • Record marine data
  • Citizen science surveys
  • Wildlife identification
  • Contribute to research
  • Monitor marine areas
  • Explore local coast
Features
Read full description

The Shoresearch app is the perfect way to easily add your marine data from Wildlife Trust Shoresearch surveys. Shoresearch is The Wildlife Trusts’ national citizen science survey program of the intertidal shore, the exciting world of extremes where the sea meets the land. It’s a great way to explore your local coast, learn more about the wildlife found there and add to our understanding of this important habitat. There are four different surveys which collect valuable marine data that can be used to designate and monitor Marine Protected Areas, contribute to scientific research, assess planning applications and even monitor long-term changes in the marine environment, such as the effects of pollution, climate change and invasive alien species! Volunteers are trained by local Wildlife Trusts to identify and record the wildlife on shores across the UK. Want to be involved? Please contact your local Wildlife Trust and ask to become a Shoresearch Volunteer, we can't wait for you to join us!

About

pippyg

Configure your bat recording devices remotely using your phone. Set device IDs, wake/sleep times, and location data. The app uses your phone's microphone to transmit settings to the recorder.

Highlights
  • Configure real-time clock
  • Set device ID
  • Define deployment latitude and longitude
  • Set wake and sleep times
  • Configure PIPPYG bat recorder
  • Configure π•pistrelle bat detector
Features
Read full description

This tool gives you a convenient and reliable method to set the real-time clock, device ID, deployment latitude and longitude, and wake and sleep times for the PIPPYG bat recorder bat detector, in the field, using just your phone and the PIPPYG's onboard microphone. To use the app, set up the configuration you want in terms of Device ID and sleep/wake times, turn your phone volume up to between 1/4 and 1/3 full volume and place your phone's speaker about 4 - 6 inches your PIPPYG's microphone. Now press the Configure / Deploy. SInce the PIPPYG red LED responds to sound after power-up, it flash when your phone makes the "triple chirp" sound. If the LED flashes just when it is responding to the sound, the PIPPYG did not successfully decode the data packete encoded into the chirp, so you need to try again - try changing the phone volume (typically quieter is better), adjust and the distance from the microphone, or positioning the phone more carefully relaive to the PIPPYG - it helps if you point the phone's bottom speakers right at the microphone hole, from a few inches away. If the PIPPYG's red LED flashes 8 times in rapid succession, you have successfully programmed your device, and it will enter a wake/sleep cycle, recording bats (or birds) when it is awake. Note that this app works with both self-build PIPPYG units and with commercially-produced Apodemus PIPPYG and PIPPYG2 devices.

Screenshots

Shoresearch4 screens
pippyg2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: pippyg at every 2 months against Shoresearch's every 4 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shoresearch ships an update every 4 months, pippyg every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Shoresearch versus pippyg: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShoresearchpippyg
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Wildlife TrustsPhil Atkin

Customer experience

Shoresearch

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

pippyg

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Shoresearch

No in-app purchases

None

pippyg

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Shoresearch free?
Shoresearch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is pippyg free?
pippyg is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Shoresearch or pippyg have ads?
Neither Shoresearch nor pippyg shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shoresearch or pippyg?
Shoresearch ships an update every 4 months, and pippyg every 2 months. Most recently, Shoresearch was updated on October 24, 2026 and pippyg on October 24, 2026.

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