Comparison

Bear & Bells vs BearAware

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

Head to head
About

Bear & Bells

This app provides hikers with customizable bell chimes to alert wildlife in bear country. It offers educational information on bear safety and features unique animal protector illustrations.

Highlights
  • Customizable bell chimes
  • Recordable sound options
  • Adjustable chime duration
  • Animal protector illustrations
  • Bear safety information
  • Educational content for all ages
Features
Read full description

FREE app for hikers in bear country. Developed by hiking enthusiasts, Bear & Bells gives you nine unique bell chimes plus the ability to record and save your own! Set your bell choice and duration, then start walking. Chimes are spaced apart to avoid annoying continuous ringing. Additional features include custom illustration backgrounds of animal “protectors” that will watch over you, information about black and brown (grizzly bears) and safety suggestions. It’s educational and fun for adults and kids alike.

About

BearAware

This community-powered map helps outdoor enthusiasts stay informed about recent bear activity. Share and view real-time sightings to make safer decisions in bear country. The app works offline, allowing you to log observations even in remote locations.

Highlights
  • Live community map of bear sightings
  • Offline recording of sightings
  • Fast and simple reporting
  • In-app bear safety guide
  • Privacy-focused anonymous accounts
Features
Read full description

The ultimate safety companion for hikers, campers, anglers, and anyone living or recreating in bear country. The BearAware is a community-powered map that helps you stay aware of recent bear activity to make smarter, safer decisions outdoors. Share and view sightings in real-time. By contributing your own observations, you help create a safer environment for both people and bears. Designed for the real world, our app works seamlessly offline, allowing you to log a sighting the moment it happens, no matter how remote your location. When you're back in cell range, your report automatically syncs to the community map. Key Features: • Live Community Map: See pins of recent grizzly sightings reported by a community of outdoor enthusiasts and residents. Know what's happening in your area before you head out. • Instant Offline Recording: No signal? No problem. The app saves your sighting with precise GPS data and uploads it automatically once you regain service. • Simple & Fast Reporting: Quickly log the date, time, location, and an optional comment with just a few taps. • Essential Bear Safety Guide: Brush up on crucial safety protocols and learn how to be "Bear Aware" with our easy-to-access in-app guide. • Privacy-Focused Community: We use anonymous accounts to protect your identity while allowing you to contribute valuable information to keep the community safe.

Screenshots

Bear & Bells4 screens
BearAware4 screens

Verdict

The call

Bear & Bells and BearAware both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of BearAware's written reviews are positive against 40% of Bear & Bells's. Bear & Bells's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Bear & Bells against 5.0 for BearAware. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 4 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 40% of Bear & Bells's written reviews are positive against 100% of BearAware's.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Bear & Bells versus BearAware: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBear & BellsBearAware
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings34 — better
Update frequency—Monthly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB15 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperPeter HornsbySvetlana Morozov

Customer experience

Bear & Bells

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%

BearAware

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Bear & Bells

No in-app purchases

None

BearAware

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bear & Bells free?
Bear & Bells is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BearAware free?
BearAware is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bear & Bells or BearAware?
Bear & Bells and BearAware are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 4 ratings respectively.
Do Bear & Bells or BearAware have ads?
BearAware shows ads; Bear & Bells does not.

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