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Education · head to head

eBird vs Memrise

eBird logo

eBird

Education

Free citizen-science checklist app from Cornell Lab of Ornithology for logging bird sightings

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Memrise logo

Memrise

Education

Vocabulary and spaced repetition language app built around video clips of native speakers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: eBird it does not identify birds for you, so a beginner needs Merlin or field guide knowledge alongside it.; Memrise the free tier caps daily reviews tightly enough that consistent vocabulary building in practice requires the Pro subscription.
  • They diverge on capability: eBird covers Checklist logging, Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which eBird and Memrise actually diverge.

Attributes where eBird and Memrise differ
AttributeeBirdMemrise
Pricing modelFree, no ads and no in-app purchasesFree with a Pro subscription

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (iOS, Android, Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in eBird

  • Checklist logging
  • Hotspot exploration
  • Life list tracking
  • Rare bird alerts
  • Regional review
  • Data used in research

Only in Memrise

  • Spaced repetition flashcards
  • Learn with Locals videos
  • Official courses
  • Speaking practice
  • Offline mode
  • Grammar bot

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

eBird

  • A birder who wants to keep a searchable life list across every location they have visitednot Memrise
  • Someone wanting alerts when a rare species is reported nearbynot Memrise
  • A researcher or land manager pulling public sighting data for a specific regionnot Memrise
  • A group leading a birding outing who wants to log a shared checklist for the tripnot Memrise

Memrise

  • A learner who wants vocabulary tied to real spoken usage through native speaker video rather than only text flashcardsnot eBird
  • Someone using a grammar-focused course elsewhere and wanting Memrise purely for vocabulary retentionnot eBird
  • A traveller wanting practical phrase recognition for a specific trip rather than formal fluencynot eBird
  • A learner comparing subscription convenience against building free custom decks in Ankinot eBird

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

eBird

  • It does not identify birds for you, so a beginner needs Merlin or field guide knowledge alongside it.
  • Data quality depends on volunteer regional review, so unusual sightings can take time to verify or may be rejected.
  • The interface is built for structured data entry rather than casual browsing, which some users find less inviting than a photo-first app.
  • Hotspot and rare bird alert usefulness varies heavily by region, since it depends on local birder density submitting checklists.
  • As a research tool first, some workflows such as trip list exports and taxonomy changes prioritise data accuracy over ease of use.

Memrise

  • The free tier caps daily reviews tightly enough that consistent vocabulary building in practice requires the Pro subscription.
  • Memrise phased out much of its earlier community-created course library in favour of official courses, so learners who relied on community decks for less common languages lost access to that content.
  • It teaches vocabulary and set phrases well but offers comparatively thin grammar instruction, so it works best as a companion to a grammar-focused course rather than a standalone method.
  • Language coverage for the flagship Learn with Locals video feature and speaking practice is uneven, concentrated in a handful of popular languages.
  • Unlike Anki, the spaced repetition algorithm and content are closed and cannot be customised or exported, so a learner cannot take their review data to another tool.

Pricing, plan by plan

eBird

Free
  • eBirdFree
    • Unlimited checklist logging
    • Hotspot and rare bird alerts
    • Web and mobile access

Memrise

Free
  • Memrise Pro$8.99/month
    • Free tier allows basic vocabulary practice with daily limits and ads
    • Pro unlocks Learn with Locals videos, full official courses and offline mode
    • Annual Pro plans typically run $69.99 to $89.99, cheaper per month than monthly billing

Which should you pick?

Choose eBird if

  • You need checklist logging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want hotspot exploration.
eBird review

Choose Memrise if

  • You need spaced repetition flashcards.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want learn with locals videos.
Memrise review

Questions people ask

Is eBird or Memrise better?
Neither clearly leads. eBird starts at Free and Memrise at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, eBird or Memrise?
eBird starts at Free and Memrise at Free.
Does eBird or Memrise run on more platforms?
Both run on iOS, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use eBird for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is eBird best used for?
eBird is most often used for a birder who wants to keep a searchable life list across every location they have visited, someone wanting alerts when a rare species is reported nearby, a researcher or land manager pulling public sighting data for a specific region, a group leading a birding outing who wants to log a shared checklist for the trip. Of those, a birder who wants to keep a searchable life list across every location they have visited and someone wanting alerts when a rare species is reported nearby are not what Memrise is typically brought in for.
What can eBird do that Memrise cannot?
eBird covers Checklist logging, Hotspot exploration, Life list tracking, Rare bird alerts. Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards, Learn with Locals videos, Official courses, Speaking practice.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

eBird: Is eBird free?

Yes, entirely, with no ads or paid tier, funded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Memrise: Is Memrise free?

A limited amount of vocabulary practice is free with daily caps and ads. Learn with Locals videos, full courses and offline mode require Memrise Pro.

eBird: Does eBird identify birds?

No, it records checklists of species you already believe you saw; Merlin Bird ID handles identification.

Memrise: What is Learn with Locals?

Short video clips of native speakers using vocabulary and phrases in real settings, intended to show how language is actually spoken rather than textbook delivery.

eBird: Who uses the data?

Researchers, conservation organisations and government agencies use eBird data to study migration and population trends.

Memrise: Can I still use community-created courses?

Memrise moved away from most of its earlier community course library toward its own official courses, so availability of community content is now limited.

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