Comparison

Observation vs Birds@SG

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

Head to head
About

Observation

Features
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With Observation you can easily record nature observations in the field. Our online image recognition AI helps you identify the species on your images. You can choose to use the app offline anywhere in the world. Your observation data is stored on your phone first. Saved observations can be uploaded to Observation.org when online. This app is part of Observation.org; an EU-based platform for world wide biodiversity monitoring and citizen science. Observations that you save in your account are publicly visible for everyone who visits Observation.org. Take a look at the website to see what other observers have recorded and explore all data collected by our community. Observations are validated by species experts, after which the records are made available for scientific research.

About

Birds@SG

Features
Read full description

Birds@SG is your birding companion for Singapore โ€” helping you discover recent sightings, record your own field notes, and explore local birdlife in one app. Instead of browsing multiple platforms, you can quickly see what birds were reported, where they were observed, and how recently they were seen โ€” all in one streamlined interface designed specifically for Singapore birders. Birds@SG also includes Field Notes, allowing you to record your own birding experiences with text, photos and audio while you are out in the field. Birds@SG brings together curated eBird data and additional community observations into a lightweight, easy-to-use app. ---------- Key Features Recent Sightings View bird reports from the last 14 days across the island. Each entry clearly shows the data source, distance from your location, observation time, and local status grouping. Singapore Tides & Shorebird Planning Check current and upcoming Singapore tide predictions when planning your birding trips. Browse future dates and see suggested daytime windows when lower tide levels may provide better opportunities for shorebird watching at suitable coastal locations. Instant Map Access Tap any sighting to open the exact coordinates in Google Maps for quick navigation. Full eBird Checklist eBird observations include full checklist details, with additional comments and photos when available. Species Detail View Check official local status such as Resident, Migratory, Visitor or Vagrant. Review recent reports and historical breakdowns for each species, browse available photos and community media, and access the official eBird species reference page. Community Observations Admin-curated sightings allow inclusion of interesting reports that may not yet appear in eBird. Field Notes Keep a personal birding journal by recording notes, photos and audio observations. Photos support fullscreen zoom and camera photos are automatically saved to your Photos app for easy sharing. Gallery Explore bird photos in a clean grid layout. Browse species visually, with new photos added regularly from my field trips. Alerts Notable eBird and Community sightings are broadcast to all users. Subscribers receive enhanced alert notifications with additional analytical details, readable directly from the notification. ---------- Support the App Birds@SG is independently developed and maintained. Your support helps cover server costs and continuous improvements. Subscribers receive: โ€ข Enhanced alert notifications with extended details If you find the app useful, please consider subscribing to support its continued development. ---------- Subscription Information Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Auto-renewal may be turned off at any time in your Apple ID account settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during an active subscription period. Subscription price: SGD 2.98 per month SGD 29.98 per year Prices may vary by country. Privacy Policy: http://hosaystudios.com/privacy.html Terms of Use: http://hosaystudios.com/terms.html All feedback and suggestions are welcome. You can reach us via email at support@hosaystudios.com or through the contact feature within the app.

Screenshots

Observation4 screens
Birds@SG4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Observation at none against Birds@SG's 2. Observation also leads on ads (none vs shown). Birds@SG's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Birds@SG sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Observation asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Observation ships an update every 3 weeks, Birds@SG every 6 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
Observation versus Birds@SG: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterObservationBirds@SG
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 6 days โ€” better
AdsNo โ€” betterYes
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” better
Requires iOS15.1 โ€” better15.6
Further details โ€” not scored
Size80 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperObservation InternationalHosay Studios

In-app purchases

None

Observation

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Birds@SG

Subscriptions2
  • Birds@SG Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Birds@SG Pro Yearly$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Observation free?
Observation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Birds@SG free?
Birds@SG is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Observation or Birds@SG have ads?
Birds@SG shows ads; Observation does not.
Which is updated more often, Observation or Birds@SG?
Observation ships an update every 3 weeks, and Birds@SG every 6 days. Most recently, Observation was updated on September 24, 2026 and Birds@SG on September 24, 2026.

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