iNaturalist vs eBird Explorer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iNaturalist
Identify plants, animals, and fungi using your camera or imported photos. Get AI-powered species suggestions and connect with a global community of nature enthusiasts to learn more about the natural world and contribute to scientific conservation efforts.
- AI species identification
- Record species observations
- Contribute to scientific data
- Explore biodiversity
- Connect with nature enthusiasts
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Your photos of plants, animals, fungi, and more can help protect nature all around the world. iNaturalist is free, nonprofit, and community-powered. iNaturalist helps millions of people learn about and document the nature around them. Point your camera at plants, animals, and fungi to get instant identification suggestions, then share your photos or sound recordings as an "observation." Then, see your observation get reviewed by a global community of knowledgeable nature-lovers to turn it into a useful data point for science and conservation efforts. Your everyday moments of curiosity can directly contribute to protecting nature, and you don't need any previous experience or knowledge to get started. iNaturalist is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to connecting people to nature and advancing biodiversity science and conservation, and is freely available thanks to the generous support of our community. KEY FEATURES • Identify species from anywhere in the world • Contribute to science by sharing your observations • Keep a record of species you see • Explore and protect biodiversity • Connect with and learn from other nature enthusiasts
eBird Explorer
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eBird Explorer is your ultimate companion for discovering and tracking bird observations near you. Powered by eBird's extensive database and enhanced with AI assistance, this app transforms birding into an interactive and insightful experience. KEY FEATURES: Interactive Species Mapping Search for any bird species using common names or 4-letter codes View observations on beautiful satellite and hybrid maps Track multiple species simultaneously Color-coded heatmap showing observation recency Customizable search radius (up to 50km) and time periods (1-30 days) Smart Bird Discovery Discover notable and rare bird sightings in your area Autocomplete search with comprehensive species database Filter observations by location, date, and species Direct links to detailed eBird checklists and species pages AI Birding Assistant Get personalized birding recommendations powered by Grok AI Ask questions about birds, locations, and timing Receive context-aware suggestions based on your location and life list Learn about the best birding spots and species near you Real-Time Weather & Conditions Live weather data optimized for birding Birding quality scores based on temperature, wind, and precipitation Sunrise and sunset times with dawn chorus predictions Best birding time windows throughout the day Coastal tide information for shorebird watching Life List Integration Import your eBird life list via CSV Get personalized recommendations for species you haven't seen Browse and search your entire life list within the app Track your birding achievements and milestones Location Intelligence Automatically detects your current location Search any location worldwide by name or coordinates Group observations by hotspot with detailed location panels View species counts and observer information per location Detailed Checklist Views Access complete eBird checklist information View observer details, species counts, and effort data See individual species observations with counts Direct links to full checklists on eBird.org Whether you're a beginner birder or an experienced ornithologist, eBird Explorer makes it easy to find, track, and learn about birds in your area. Start exploring today! Note: Requires internet connection. Grok API key required for AI features. OpenWeatherMap API key recommended for weather data.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is chart position: iNaturalist at #106 against eBird Explorer's unranked. iNaturalist also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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.
| Parameter | iNaturalist | eBird Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (722 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 48.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 722 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #106 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 220 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | iNaturalist | Breichbilt |
Bugs and requests
iNaturalist
Reported bugs
5 issues- App freezes when suggesting IDs on audio clips
- Inconsistent tap responsiveness in search menu
- Observation time not accurately filling based on upload time
- Map showing incorrect observation locations
- Crashes and performance issues on some devices
Requested features
5 requests- Ability to type in address/coordinates for location
- Option to add observations to projects during upload
- Batch editing/uploading of observations
- More precise search filters (e.g. aquatic, parasitic, migratory)
- Bring back colored observation markers on map
eBird Explorer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
iNaturalist
No in-app purchases
eBird Explorer
No in-app purchases









