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canonical: https://biosonic.io/compare/sonobat
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# BioSonic vs SonoBat UK

Last updated: 2026-04-26

BioSonic and SonoBat UK both identify bat species from acoustic recordings, but they take fundamentally different approaches. BioSonic is a cloud platform that uses deep learning image recognition on spectrograms to classify calls. SonoBat UK is a desktop application built over 30 years that extracts full-spectrum call parameters and applies machine learning combined with rule-based vetting algorithms. This page sets out how the two tools differ in accuracy, workflow, team features, and cost so you can decide which fits your projects.

## At a glance

| Feature | BioSonic | SonoBat UK |
|---|---|---|
| Underlying approach | Deep learning image recognition on spectrograms | Full-spectrum data extraction + machine learning + rule-based vetting algorithms (30 years of development) |
| Training data | 2.5M bat calls + 4M noise files | UK species-confirmed reference library built from systematic tracking since 2017 |
| Benchmarked accuracy | 98.7% F1 (third-party benchmark by Wilder Sensing, 6,126 calls, 15 species) | Not publicly benchmarked at scale; strong reputation for low false-positive rate |
| Platform | Browser-based — works on any computer | Desktop (macOS, Windows) |
| Team workflow | Unlimited users per organisation; shared projects | Single-user per licence; SonoBat LIVE for real-time recording |
| Species per recording | Up to 7 | Sequence-level decision with vetting for call context |
| Social and feeding calls | Separated automatically | Buzz Mode detects feeding buzzes; social calls identified by vetter |
| Noise filtering | Deep-learning noise model | Scrub tool + quality assessments during extraction |
| Model updates | New AI model every weekend | Infrequent version releases |
| Storage | 9 years EU-hosted included | Local storage only |
| Report generation | One-click charts, maps, Word export | Customisable Vetting Table export; iBatsID format; customisable output tables |
| Detector compatibility | Any WAV-producing detector | Any full-spectrum WAV detector |
| Geographic coverage | UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Sweden | UK species only (separate SonoBat North America product) |
| Pricing model | Per-GB-per-year, all-inclusive | £880 perpetual or £320/£640/£960 lease (1/2/3 year) |
| Free trial | Yes | Free trial available |

## How each tool identifies bats

### BioSonic: spectrogram-level deep learning

BioSonic converts each recording into a spectrogram image, then runs a convolutional neural network trained on 2.5 million confirmed bat calls and 3.5 million noise files. The model sees spatial patterns across the full time-frequency image rather than measuring individual call parameters. This means it can detect overlapping species, social calls, and feeding buzzes in a single pass without explicit feature extraction.

Because the model trains on images, it generalises well to recordings made in different conditions, with different detectors, and across geographic regions. BioSonic retrains its model every weekend, incorporating newly verified data so accuracy improves continuously.

### SonoBat UK: parameter extraction and vetting

SonoBat takes a different path. It extracts quantitative call parameters from full-spectrum recordings, including frequency, duration, bandwidth, and slope measurements. Those parameters feed into a machine learning classifier combined with rule-based vetting algorithms refined over 30 years of development.

The vetting step is central to SonoBat's philosophy. Rather than forcing a classification on every call, SonoBat applies quality thresholds and contextual rules to reject ambiguous calls. This conservative approach is a deliberate design choice that prioritises low false-positive rates over high recall. The UK reference library contains 38,187 calls covering 17 UK and Ireland species (build 30.1, October 2023).

Both approaches are valid. The question is which trade-offs matter most for your work.

## What the benchmarks say

- **BioSonic:** 98.7% F1 — third-party benchmark by Wilder Sensing on 6,126 calls across 15 species.
- **SonoBat UK:** No public benchmark — Strong reputation for low false-positive rates, but no large-scale public benchmark results are available.

BioSonic's 98.7% F1 comes from an independent third-party benchmark by Wilder Sensing that tested the system on 6,126 expert-verified bat calls across 15 species. For a deeper look at BioSonic's benchmark results, including species-level breakdowns, see the [benchmarks page](/benchmarks).

For SonoBat UK, no public head-to-head benchmark exists. SonoBat has a well-earned reputation in the UK ecological community for producing reliable results with low false-positive rates, backed by decades of refinement. We encourage independent testing and would welcome any published comparison.

If you want to verify accuracy yourself, both tools offer free trials. We recommend running the same set of expert-verified recordings through each system and comparing the results against your own manual analysis.

## Day-to-day workflow

### Getting started

With BioSonic, you open a browser, drag files into your project, and results appear within minutes. There is nothing to install, and you can work from any device. With SonoBat, you install the desktop application on macOS or Windows, then process files locally. SonoBat also offers SonoBat LIVE for real-time recording and analysis in the field.

### Processing recordings

BioSonic processes recordings in the cloud. Upload a batch of WAV files, and the system handles noise filtering, species classification, and social/feeding call separation automatically. You can process thousands of files without worrying about your laptop's processing power or storage limits.

SonoBat processes files on your local machine. The Scrub tool cleans recordings before analysis, and quality assessments filter out poor-quality calls during parameter extraction. Processing speed depends on your hardware, which matters when you have large datasets from multi-night surveys.

### Reviewing results

BioSonic shows results in a browser interface with spectrograms, species lists, and confidence scores. You can filter, sort, and review calls without switching applications. Reports export to Word with one click, including charts and maps.

SonoBat presents results through its Vetting Table, which is highly customisable. You can configure output columns, apply additional vetting thresholds, and export in multiple formats including iBatsID. For consultants who have built their reporting workflow around SonoBat's table format, this customisability is a genuine advantage.

## Working as a team

This is where the two tools diverge most sharply.

BioSonic includes unlimited users per organisation at no extra cost. Every team member accesses the same projects, sees the same results, and can review or approve analyses from anywhere. For consultancies with multiple ecologists working on the same survey, this removes the bottleneck of passing files and spreadsheets between machines.

SonoBat UK licences are single-user. Each ecologist needs their own licence, and sharing results means exporting tables and distributing files manually. If your team works independently on separate projects, this may not matter. But for firms that need shared access to project data, the single-user model creates friction.

> "Since joining BioSonic our analysis time has reduced significantly. The team is excellent in their support, super quick to respond."
> — Luke Waddison, Ecological Consultant, [Wharton](/wharton) (UK)

## Pricing model

### BioSonic

BioSonic charges per GB per year on an all-inclusive basis. The price covers unlimited users, cloud storage (9 years EU-hosted), all model updates, and report generation. You pay for the data you process, not for seats. For teams, this scales predictably with workload rather than headcount.

### SonoBat UK

SonoBat UK offers a perpetual licence at £880 or lease options at £320 (1 year), £640 (2 years), or £960 (3 years). Build 30.1 (October 2023) includes a 38,187-call UK reference library covering 17 UK and Ireland species. The software runs on Windows and macOS. Each licence covers one user.

### Which is cheaper?

It depends on your data volume and team size. A solo consultant processing a modest amount of data may find SonoBat's perpetual licence more economical in the long run. A team of five ecologists processing hundreds of gigabytes per season will likely find BioSonic's per-GB model cheaper than five separate SonoBat licences. Both tools offer free trials, so you can estimate costs before committing.

## Who should choose which

### SonoBat UK may be a better fit if you:

- Work exclusively on UK species
- Prefer a desktop application that processes data locally without internet dependency
- Value SonoBat's conservative vetting approach and have built your workflow around its customisable output tables
- Work solo and want a perpetual licence rather than ongoing subscription costs
- Need SonoBat LIVE for real-time field recording and analysis

### BioSonic may be a better fit if you:

- Want the highest benchmarked accuracy: 98.7% F1 means less time fixing wrong classifications
- Have a consultancy team: unlimited users, shared projects, single audit trail
- Want integrated spectrogram review built into the platform, no switching between apps
- Need one-click charts, maps, emergence graphs, weather overlays, and Word reports
- Want up to 7 species per recording with automatic feeding buzz and social call separation
- Prefer weekly model updates over infrequent version releases

SonoBat has a loyal following in the UK built on 30 years of reliable service. If your current workflow works well and you work solo, there may be no reason to switch. But if you are finding that local processing, single-user licences, or manual reporting are slowing you down, BioSonic addresses those constraints.

## Switching from SonoBat to BioSonic

If you decide to try BioSonic alongside or instead of SonoBat, the transition is straightforward.

- **Your recordings are compatible.** Both tools accept standard WAV files from any full-spectrum bat detector. You do not need to re-record anything.
- **Upload existing files.** Drag your existing WAV files into a BioSonic project. Results typically appear within minutes, even for large batches.
- **Run both tools in parallel.** Many consultants run BioSonic and SonoBat side by side during their first season to compare results and build confidence before committing fully.
- **No data lock-in.** BioSonic stores your original recordings and exports results in standard formats. You can download everything at any time.
- **Team onboarding.** Add your colleagues to your BioSonic organisation. They can start reviewing results immediately with no additional licence cost.

If you have questions about migrating your workflow, [email us directly](mailto:josef.carlson@biosonic.se) or [book a 30-minute call](https://cal.com/biosonic/30min) and we will walk you through it.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is SonoBat UK more accurate than BioSonic?

No public head-to-head benchmark exists between the two tools. BioSonic achieved 98.7% F1 in a third-party benchmark by Wilder Sensing on 6,126 calls across 15 species. SonoBat has a strong reputation for low false-positive rates built over 30 years, but has not published comparable large-scale benchmark results. We encourage independent testing and recommend running your own verified recordings through both systems. See our [benchmarks page](/benchmarks) for BioSonic's detailed results.

### Can I use my existing SonoBat recordings in BioSonic?

Yes. Both tools accept standard WAV files from any full-spectrum bat detector. Upload the same recordings to BioSonic for a second opinion or to take advantage of cloud-based team features. No conversion or re-recording is needed.

### Does BioSonic cover all UK bat species?

Yes. BioSonic covers all UK bat species and also supports the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and Sweden. SonoBat UK is limited to UK species, with a separate SonoBat North America product for that region.

### How much does SonoBat UK cost compared to BioSonic?

SonoBat UK costs £880 for a perpetual licence, or £320/£640/£960 for a 1/2/3-year lease. Build 30.1 includes a 38,187-call reference library. Each licence covers one user. BioSonic charges per GB per year with unlimited users included. The cheaper option depends on your data volume and team size. Both offer free trials so you can estimate costs before committing.

### Can multiple team members use SonoBat UK simultaneously?

SonoBat UK licences are single-user. Each team member needs their own licence. BioSonic includes unlimited users per organisation with shared projects, which may be more cost-effective for teams. See our [product page](/product) for details on team features.

### Does SonoBat UK work offline?

Yes. SonoBat is a desktop application that processes everything locally, so it works without an internet connection. BioSonic requires internet access to upload recordings and retrieve results, but works from any browser on any device once connected.

### How often are BioSonic and SonoBat updated?

BioSonic deploys a new AI model every weekend, incorporating the latest training data from its growing library of 2.5 million bat calls. SonoBat releases updates less frequently as version releases. BioSonic's weekly cycle means accuracy improvements reach users faster.

## Sources

- SonoBat UK build 30.1 (October 2023): 38,187-call reference library, 17 UK + Ireland species
- SonoBat pricing: £880 perpetual, £320/£640/£960 lease (1/2/3 year)
- SonoBat: [sonobat.com](https://sonobat.com)
- Wilder Sensing (2024). Third-party benchmark on 6,126 calls across 15 species — [see benchmarks page](/benchmarks)

Last verified: 2026-04-26.

## Try it yourself

Upload a batch of WAV files and compare results against your current workflow. Free trial, no credit card required.

[Start free trial](https://bat.biosonic.se/signup) | [Book a 30-min call](https://cal.com/biosonic/30min)

Questions? Email [josef.carlson@biosonic.se](mailto:josef.carlson@biosonic.se) — we reply within a few hours.