Comparison

Monarch SOS vs Budburst

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

Head to head
About

Monarch SOS

Identify monarch butterflies and their host plants with this comprehensive field guide. Learn about their life cycle, threats, and conservation efforts. Compare look-alike species and stay updated on migration news.

Highlights
  • Monarch identification guide
  • Life cycle stages
  • Confusing look-alike comparison
  • Milkweed species identification
  • Conservation efforts information
  • Migration news updates
Read full description

Monarch SOS is a field guide for the public as well as a citizen science reporting app. It is the first monarch app developed by scientists that covers monarch identification in all life cycle stages, confusing look-alikes and numerous milkweed species (monarchs' larval host plants), frequently encountered in North America. Monarch SOS is a valuable tool for learning about monarch butterflies, threats they face and how everyone can help bring back the monarchs by making a few simple lifestyle changes. If viceroy and queen butterflies confuse you, quickly learn the differences in the "Compare" section under each butterfly. Keep up with the latest information on monarch conservation efforts and migration news by checking in daily with What's New? The feed is updated every time you open the app, so you'll always be in the loop!

About

Budburst

Observe and record plant data to contribute to a national community science project. Identify plants, track their life cycles, and collaborate with others to understand and preserve nature.

Highlights
  • Observe plants with interactive map
  • In-app plant identification tool
  • Monitor plant life cycles
  • Track plant-animal interactions
  • Collaborate in community groups
Features
Read full description

Capturing the beauty of nature and collecting plant data has never been easier. With the Budburst app, you can contribute to a national community science project by observing plants, uploading your data, and sharing your findings in an instant. When you use the Budburst app, you can observe plants in your area with the interactive map, learn about plants with the in-app identification tool, monitor plant life cycles and plant-animal interactions over time, and collaborate in groups with other community scientists. Preserve the nature around you by helping us better understand it.

Screenshots

Monarch SOS4 screens
Budburst4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Monarch SOS at 100% against Budburst's 50%. Monarch SOS also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Monarch SOS holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 13 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Monarch SOS's written reviews are positive against 50% of Budburst's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Monarch SOS ships an update every 5 weeks, Budburst every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Monarch SOS versus Budburst: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMonarch SOSBudburst
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18 ratings) — better4.2 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings18 — better13
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size176 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNaturedigger LLCChicago Horticultural Society

Customer experience

Monarch SOS

All ratings18 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral5.6%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Budburst

All ratings12 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Monarch SOS

No in-app purchases

None

Budburst

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Monarch SOS free?
Monarch SOS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Budburst free?
Budburst is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Monarch SOS or Budburst?
Monarch SOS is rated higher. Monarch SOS averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Budburst averages 4.2 from 13 ratings.
Do Monarch SOS or Budburst have ads?
Neither Monarch SOS nor Budburst shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Monarch SOS or Budburst?
Monarch SOS ships an update every 5 weeks, and Budburst every 2 months. Most recently, Monarch SOS was updated on November 1, 2026 and Budburst on November 3, 2026.

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