# AXS Map vs Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab

The clearest difference is monetization model: AXS Map at free against Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab's free with in-app purchases. AXS Map also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab's advantage is ratings volume (114K vs 20) and chart position (#31 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for AXS Map against 4.9 for Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab has 114K ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of AXS Map's written reviews are positive against 74% of Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab's.

AXS Map ships an update every 2 weeks, Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AXS Map | Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/axs-map/id554015666/reviews)** | [4.9 (114K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merlin-bird-id-by-cornell-lab/id773457673/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 20 | **114K** |
| Positive reviews | 64.3% of reviews | **74.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#31** |
| Size | 52 MB | 319 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [When I Walk Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/441893494) | [Cornell University](https://appshunter.io/developer/382072985) |

## What reviewers say

### AXS Map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/axs-map/id554015666)

This app empowers the disability community by allowing users to search for and review businesses based on their accessibility features. It helps create a more inclusive world by providing information on accessible entrances and restrooms, enabling users to make informed decisions about where to go.

**Highlights:** Search for accessible businesses, Rate and review accessibility features, Community-powered data, Accessible entrances and restrooms information, Mobility star ratings

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merlin-bird-id-by-cornell-lab/id773457673)

**Currently charting:** #31 Top Free · Reference (US App Store)

Easily identify birds by sight or sound using advanced machine learning. Explore birds in your region, track your sightings, and learn about species with photos, sounds, and range maps. This free app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology helps build your birding skills.

**Highlights:** Identify birds by photo, Identify birds by sound, Answer simple questions for ID, Explore birds by region, Track bird sightings, View range maps and photos, Bird of the Day feature

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helpful for bird identification
- 🔒 Accurate bird identification
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Useful for beginners and experts
- 👍 Enjoyable and fun to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Sound ID not always accurate
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🐛 Difficulty adding birds to life list
- 🐛 Limited bird packs for certain regions
- 🐛 Requires location access

**Reported bugs**

- Sound ID not working in some cases
- Inability to download bird packs due to storage issues
- Repeated email confirmation requests
- Incorrect bird identifications in certain locations
- Inability to edit or delete past sightings

**Requested features**

- Allow manual addition of birds to life list
- Improve search functionality to find specific birds
- Add more bird packs for underrepresented regions
- Improve sound ID accuracy and reliability
- Provide option to save recordings without location


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AXS Map free?

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

### Is Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab free?

Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, AXS Map or Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab?

AXS Map is rated higher. AXS Map averages 5.0 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab averages 4.9 from 114K ratings.

### Do AXS Map or Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab have ads?

Neither AXS Map nor Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AXS Map or Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab?

AXS Map ships an update every 2 weeks, and Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab monthly. Most recently, AXS Map was updated on October 26, 2026 and Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab on October 30, 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.*