# Collins Bird Guide vs Raptor ID

The clearest difference is price: Raptor ID at Free against Collins Bird Guide's $14.99. Raptor ID also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). Collins Bird Guide's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). On ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Raptor ID is free to download; Collins Bird Guide costs $14.99 up front. Collins Bird Guide sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Raptor ID asks for nothing beyond the download.

Raptor ID holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 28 and 50 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Collins Bird Guide's written reviews are positive against 84% of Raptor ID's.

Collins Bird Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, Raptor ID every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Collins Bird Guide | Raptor ID |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $14.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (28 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/collins-bird-guide/id868827305/reviews) | **[4.5 (50 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/raptor-id/id1033944000/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 28 | **50** |
| Positive reviews | 57.3% of reviews | **83.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 1.2 GB | 766 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NatureGuides Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/310574314) | [HawkWatch International](https://appshunter.io/developer/1033943999) |

## What reviewers say

### Collins Bird Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/collins-bird-guide/id868827305)

This comprehensive field guide app helps users identify European bird species with detailed illustrations, sounds, and text. It offers powerful search filters, sighting logs, and curated lists of similar birds for quick identification. Optional in-app purchases unlock video clips and advanced AI-powered identification assistance.

**Highlights:** 973 species covered, 3,700+ illustrations, Detailed species text, Record sightings, Powerful search filter, Confusable species lists, 1,100+ songs and calls

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Identify Assist - monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Identify Assist - yearly | $17.99 | per year |
| BTO Atlas Maps Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| DDA Maps | $1.99 | one-time |
| Third edition | $1.99 | one-time |
| Video Library Volume 1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Video Library Volume 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Video Library Volume 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| EBBA2 Breeding Maps | $4.99 | one-time |
| Video Library | $9.99 | one-time |


### Raptor ID

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/raptor-id/id1033944000)

This app provides expert-level identification for North America's diurnal raptors. It features nearly 1000 annotated photos and videos to help users identify birds in flight, catering to both beginners and experienced birdwatchers.

**Highlights:** 1000+ annotated photos, Identification videos in flight, Range maps with eBird links, Species vocalizations, Expert Q&A forum

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Collins Bird Guide free?

Collins Bird Guide costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Raptor ID free?

Raptor ID is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Collins Bird Guide or Raptor ID?

Raptor ID is rated higher. Collins Bird Guide averages 4.0 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while Raptor ID averages 4.5 from 50 ratings.

### Do Collins Bird Guide or Raptor ID have ads?

Raptor ID shows ads; Collins Bird Guide does not.

### Which is updated more often, Collins Bird Guide or Raptor ID?

Collins Bird Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, and Raptor ID every 5 months. Most recently, Collins Bird Guide was updated on November 6, 2026 and Raptor ID on November 2, 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.*