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Education · head to head

eBird vs Simply Piano

eBird logo

eBird

Education

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Simply Piano logo

Simply Piano

Education

Piano-only learning app from JoyTunes using microphone listening, no MIDI keyboard required

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.; Simply Piano microphone-based note detection is less precise than MIDI input for fast or dense passages, so advanced players eventually outgrow its accuracy ceiling.
  • They diverge on capability: eBird covers Checklist logging, Simply Piano covers Microphone-based listening.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which eBird and Simply Piano actually diverge.

Attributes where eBird and Simply Piano differ
AttributeeBirdSimply Piano
Pricing modelFree, no ads and no in-app purchasesPer user per year or month

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 Simply Piano

  • Microphone-based listening
  • Structured curriculum
  • Popular song arrangements
  • Kids mode
  • Practice feedback
  • Offline practice mode

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 Simply Piano
  • Someone wanting alerts when a rare species is reported nearbynot Simply Piano
  • A researcher or land manager pulling public sighting data for a specific regionnot Simply Piano
  • A group leading a birding outing who wants to log a shared checklist for the tripnot Simply Piano

Simply Piano

  • A complete beginner who owns an acoustic piano and wants structured lessons without a MIDI connectionnot eBird
  • A parent choosing a self-guided piano app for a child who does not yet take private lessonsnot eBird
  • Someone who wants heavily song-driven practice using popular music rather than only classical exercisesnot eBird
  • A household deciding between this and Flowkey based on trial experience and song catalogue fitnot 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.

Simply Piano

  • Microphone-based note detection is less precise than MIDI input for fast or dense passages, so advanced players eventually outgrow its accuracy ceiling.
  • Its curriculum is piano only, so anyone wanting to learn a second instrument needs a separate subscription to Yousician or another app.
  • The free trial is limited, and meaningful progress requires the paid annual subscription at around $120 a year.
  • Background noise and an out-of-tune acoustic piano can degrade the accuracy of the microphone-based scoring.
  • It does not go deep into music theory or advanced classical technique, so a serious student will eventually need a human teacher alongside or instead of it.

Pricing, plan by plan

eBird

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

Simply Piano

Free
  • Simply PianoFree
    • Limited introductory lessons
  • Premium$119.99/year
    • Full lesson path and song library
    • Progress tracking
    • Family plan options available

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 Simply Piano if

  • You need microphone-based listening.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want structured curriculum.
Simply Piano review

Questions people ask

Is eBird or Simply Piano better?
Neither clearly leads. eBird starts at Free and Simply Piano at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, eBird or Simply Piano?
eBird starts at Free and Simply Piano at Free.
Does eBird or Simply Piano 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 Simply Piano is typically brought in for.
What can eBird do that Simply Piano cannot?
eBird covers Checklist logging, Hotspot exploration, Life list tracking, Rare bird alerts. Simply Piano covers Microphone-based listening, Structured curriculum, Popular song arrangements, Kids mode.

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.

Simply Piano: Do I need a MIDI keyboard for Simply Piano?

No, it listens through your device microphone and works with any acoustic or digital piano.

eBird: Does eBird identify birds?

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

Simply Piano: How is it different from Flowkey?

Both use the same microphone-based, piano-only approach; the difference is mainly curriculum style and song catalogue, worth comparing via free trials.

eBird: Who uses the data?

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

Simply Piano: Is there a kids version?

Yes, a simplified kids-focused mode and companion product exist for younger learners.

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