# DoorBird vs Buddy List Messenger

DoorBird and Buddy List Messenger both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 92% of Buddy List Messenger's written reviews are positive against 37% of DoorBird's. Buddy List Messenger also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). DoorBird's advantage is price (Free vs $5.99) and ratings volume (29K vs 35). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

DoorBird is free to download; Buddy List Messenger costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Buddy List Messenger holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DoorBird has 29K ratings behind it against 35, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of DoorBird's written reviews are positive against 92% of Buddy List Messenger's.

DoorBird ships an update every 3 weeks, Buddy List Messenger weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DoorBird | Buddy List Messenger |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $5.99 |
| Rating | [4.5 (29K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/doorbird/id898756315/reviews) | **[4.7 (35 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buddy-list-messenger/id6445898871/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **29K** | 35 |
| Positive reviews | 37.0% of reviews | **92.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 88 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Bird Home Automation GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/968028002) | [Spark Limited Liability Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/1581487057) |

## What reviewers say

### DoorBird

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/doorbird/id898756315)

See, hear, and speak to visitors at your door from anywhere in the world. Receive instant notifications for doorbell presses and motion detection, ensuring you never miss a visitor or delivery. Securely unlock doors, garages, or gates remotely.

**Highlights:** Live HDTV video with night vision, 2-way audio communication, Worldwide mobile access, Push notifications for visitors and motion, Remote door, garage, or gate unlocking, Visitor history, Geofencing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great product and service
- 🔒 Reliable security features
- 🚀 Easy installation and setup

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Slow app response and connectivity issues
- 🔇 Poor audio quality and speaker volume
- 📽️ Low camera quality and limited field of view
- 🕰️ Significant delays in notifications and video feed

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Inconsistent connectivity and sync issues
- Unreliable device pairing and setup process

**Requested features**

- Siri/Google Assistant integration for voice control
- Improved push notification system with audible alerts
- Local storage option for video recordings
- Simplified app interface and settings


### Buddy List Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buddy-list-messenger/id6445898871)

Easily send mass messages to your contacts. Friends can choose to receive your updates via text or push notifications. Share your ideas directly with the founders.

**Highlights:** Send mass messages, Push notification subscriptions, Text message subscriptions, Direct founder feedback channel

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DoorBird free?

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

### Is Buddy List Messenger free?

Buddy List Messenger costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, DoorBird or Buddy List Messenger?

Buddy List Messenger is rated higher. DoorBird averages 4.5 out of 5 from 29K ratings, while Buddy List Messenger averages 4.7 from 35 ratings.

### Do DoorBird or Buddy List Messenger have ads?

Neither DoorBird nor Buddy List Messenger shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DoorBird or Buddy List Messenger?

DoorBird ships an update every 3 weeks, and Buddy List Messenger weekly. Most recently, DoorBird was updated on November 8, 2026 and Buddy List Messenger on November 3, 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.*