eBird vs Nature Diary
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
eBird
Easily record bird sightings in the field and contribute to a global database for scientific research and conservation. This app offers offline functionality, customized checklists, and GPS-enabled location plotting.
- Record bird observations globally
- Global taxonomy and local common names
- Location and time-based checklists
- Rare species flagging
- Offline functionality
- GPS location plotting
- Trip and day list tracking
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eBird Mobile makes it easy to record the birds you see in the field, and seamlessly link these observations with eBird--a global online database of bird records used by hundreds of thousands of birders around the world. This free resource makes it easy to keep track of what you see, while making your data openly available for scientific research, education, and conservation. eBird Mobile is the only app that passes information directly from the iOS device to your eBird account on the web. Features - Enter bird observations from any location around the world. - Full global taxonomy based on The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. - Common names available in local languages (e.g., Portuguese names in Brazil or in Portugal). - Checklists customized for your location and time of year, showing most likely species based on eBird data. - Rare species flagged during data entry and on the checklist. - "Record as you go" functionality for incremental list keeping and counting while birding. - GPS enabled location plotting to ensure accuracy. - Map tools that enable selecting from hundreds of thousands of eBird "Hotspots." - Full offline functionality, enabling use in places with limited or no Internet connection. - Trip and Day list functionality that makes it easy to keep track of your species list on a particular outing. - Support for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. - Entire app translated to German, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Turkish, and Dutch.
Nature Diary
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Nature Diary is a place to notice, identify and remember the living world around you: at home, in your garden, on your walks and on family trips. Take a photo of a plant, insect, bird or anything in nature that catches your attention. AI helps you identify it in seconds. Then each discovery is saved to your diary with its photo, date and location, building a personal record that grows with you season after season. It is not just an app for identifying something and forgetting it. It is a living record of the nature that surrounds you. MADE TO DISCOVER TOGETHER Nature Diary is also made for exploring as a family. Every discovery keeps its photo, location and your notes, so a walk with the kids can become a memory you return to, not just another data point. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Identify in seconds: Take a photo or upload one to get the common and scientific name, a short description and interesting facts. • Build your diary: Every discovery is saved with its photo, date and location. • Sort by proximity: See which species you have discovered closest to where you are right now. • Map your finds: Every discovery with a location becomes a pin on your personal map. • Track your collection: Explore statistics by category and browse a catalogue of the species you have logged. • Care for your plants: Get guidance on possible pests, diseases or care needs, with practical tips. • Ask the AI: Ask questions about any discovery, from how to care for it to what it eats or whether it may be toxic. • Correct an identification: If you think the AI may have got it wrong, tell it and it will take another, more detailed look. HONEST BY DESIGN No dark patterns. Your photos and discoveries are private, and each account can only access its own data. You can delete any discovery, or your entire account, at any time. And when the AI is not confident enough about an identification, it tells you. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://discover.carvajal.io/privacy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: eBird at none against Nature Diary's 2. eBird also leads on chart position (#147 vs unranked). Nature Diary's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads 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. Nature Diary sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. eBird asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | eBird | Nature Diary |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (803 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 36.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 803 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #147 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 81 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cornell University | Luis Carvajal Hoyos |
Bugs and requests
eBird
Reported bugs
5 issues- App crashes when trying to start a new checklist
- Inability to log in or access account
- Inconsistent behavior with bird pack downloads
- Checklist data not syncing across devices
- Explore feature not working as expected
Requested features
5 requests- Add ability to upload photos and audio directly in the app
- Implement alphabetical sorting for checklists
- Improve syncing between app and website
- Add more advanced filtering and search options
- Provide offline access to bird information
Nature Diary
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
eBird
No in-app purchases
Nature Diary
- Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year






