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Education · head to head

eBird vs SkySafari

eBird logo

eBird

Education

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SkySafari logo

SkySafari

Education

Astronomy app sold in three tiered editions, from a cheap star chart to telescope control

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only eBird has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: eBird it does not identify birds for you, so a beginner needs Merlin or field guide knowledge alongside it.; SkySafari the three tiers are separate purchases, so upgrading from Basic to Plus or Pro later means buying again rather than paying the price difference.
  • They diverge on capability: eBird covers Checklist logging, SkySafari covers Tiered editions.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which eBird and SkySafari actually diverge.

Attributes where eBird and SkySafari differ
AttributeeBirdSkySafari
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelFree, no ads and no in-app purchasesOne-time purchase per tier
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebiOS, Android, macOS

Identical on both: 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 SkySafari

  • Tiered editions
  • Telescope control
  • Large object catalogue
  • Event finder
  • Observing log
  • Time control

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

SkySafari

  • An amateur astronomer with a motorised telescope mount who needs live control from a phone or tabletnot eBird
  • A serious hobbyist who wants a deep-sky catalogue far larger than a casual sky map app providesnot eBird
  • Someone planning an observing session who wants an event finder for conjunctions and eclipsesnot eBird
  • A buyer choosing Basic first as a cheap star chart with no intention of telescope controlnot 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.

SkySafari

  • The three tiers are separate purchases, so upgrading from Basic to Plus or Pro later means buying again rather than paying the price difference.
  • Even the Basic tier costs more than a comparable free or freemium app like Star Walk 2 for a casual user.
  • Telescope control only works with compatible motorised mounts, so it is useless to someone with a manual telescope or no telescope at all.
  • Pricing fluctuates with frequent promotional sales, so the list price is not a reliable guide to what most buyers actually pay.
  • The interface, particularly on the Pro tier, has a steeper learning curve than a simple AR sky map app aimed at casual users.

Pricing, plan by plan

eBird

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

SkySafari

On request
  • SkySafari Basic$4.99/one-time
    • Core star chart
    • Modest object catalogue
    • No telescope control
  • SkySafari Plus$14.99/one-time
    • About 2.5 million stars and 32,000 deep-sky objects
    • Telescope control
    • Event finder and observing log
  • SkySafari Pro$29.99/one-time
    • Largest catalogue tier
    • Telescope control
    • Advanced observation planning tools

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 SkySafari if

  • You need tiered editions.
  • You work on iOS, Android, macOS.
  • You also want telescope control.
SkySafari review

Questions people ask

Is eBird or SkySafari better?
Neither clearly leads. eBird starts at Free and SkySafari at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, eBird or SkySafari?
eBird has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for eBird and On request for SkySafari.
Does eBird or SkySafari run on more platforms?
eBird runs on iOS, Android, Web. SkySafari runs on iOS, Android, macOS.
Can I use eBird for free?
Yes. eBird has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SkySafari starts at On request.
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 SkySafari is typically brought in for.
What can eBird do that SkySafari cannot?
eBird covers Checklist logging, Hotspot exploration, Life list tracking, Rare bird alerts. SkySafari covers Tiered editions, Telescope control, Large object catalogue, Event finder.

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.

SkySafari: What is the difference between Basic, Plus and Pro?

Basic is a simple star chart, Plus adds a much larger catalogue and telescope control, and Pro adds an even larger catalogue and advanced planning tools.

eBird: Does eBird identify birds?

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

SkySafari: Can I upgrade from Basic to Plus later?

Not as a discounted upgrade; each tier is sold as a separate one-time purchase.

eBird: Who uses the data?

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

SkySafari: Does it work with any telescope?

Only telescopes with compatible motorised mounts and a supported connection method can be controlled from the app.

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