Merlin Bird ID vs Memrise
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
Merlin Bird ID is the better app overall, scoring 9.0 to 8.0. Merlin Bird ID wins on 5 of the 5 scores, Memrise on 0.
Beginner and backyard birders, hikers and curious kids
Learners who want to understand and speak everyday language
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Merlin Bird ID | Memrise |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Learning | Learning |
| Category rank | #2 of 12 | #10 of 12 |
| Developer | Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Memrise Limited |
| Pricing | Free | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | — | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Merlin Bird ID better than Memrise?
Merlin Bird ID is the better app overall, scoring 9.0 to 8.0. Merlin Bird ID wins on 5 of the 5 scores, Memrise on 0.
Which is cheaper, Merlin Bird ID or Memrise?
Merlin Bird ID: Completely free, funded by Cornell Lab members and supporters. Memrise: Free with ads; Pro listed at $61.99 a year or $329.99 lifetime in the US App Store. On value for money, Merlin Bird ID scores higher.
Do Merlin Bird ID and Memrise work on the same devices?
Only Memrise runs on Web.
Which is more private, Merlin Bird ID or Memrise?
Merlin Bird ID scores higher on privacy (9.0/10). App Store label: no tracking, and only a user ID is linked to you. Email, coarse location and usage are collected without your identity. Google Play says no data is shared.
Strengths and weaknesses
Merlin Bird ID
- Free, with no ads or in-app purchases
- Identifies birds by sound in real time
- Works offline once you download a region
- Only covers birds
- No Mac, Windows or web version
- Some users report glitches saving sightings
Merlin answers the question every backyard birder asks. Hold up your phone and Sound ID names the birds singing around you as they sing, snap a picture for Photo ID, or answer five quick questions about what you saw. Download a Bird Pack and it works with no signal. It's free with no ads, built by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It only does birds, but it does them brilliantly.
Full Merlin Bird ID review
Memrise
- Real people speaking real, everyday language
- AI chat partner for speaking practice
- An Editors' Choice app on the App Store
- The free plan is limited and shows ads
- No offline mode
- Community courses were moved out of the app
Memrise teaches the language people actually speak. Lessons are built around short videos of native speakers in everyday situations, and then you practice talking with MemBot, its AI chat partner. Official courses cover the popular languages, and newer extras add exam prep and stories. The free plan is limited and shows ads, there's no offline mode, and the old community courses no longer live in the app.
Full Memrise review
