TheGrint vs 18Birdies: Which Golf App Is Right for You?
TheGrint and 18Birdies are both free golf apps with GPS, scoring, stats and games. The biggest difference is the handicap: in the US, TheGrint lets you get an official Handicap ID in the app or link your GHIN® number, while the 18Birdies Handicap is its own number. TheGrint Pro is $59.99 a year; 18Birdies Premium is $99.99 a year on its website.
Last reviewed:
- Official handicap (US): TheGrint, yes (Handicap ID in the app or link GHIN®). 18Birdies, no: its own 18Birdies Handicap.
- Yearly price: TheGrint Pro $59.99. 18Birdies Premium $99.99 on 18birdies.com.
- Free trial: 7 days on both.
- GPS: free on both. TheGrint covers 40,000+ courses.
- Green reading maps: paid on both. TheGrint Green Maps cover 25,000+ courses.
- Watch: both work on Apple Watch and Wear OS, with free GPS distances.
- Competitor facts checked October 13, 2026.
The big difference: an official handicap
In the United States, TheGrint is a licensed data affiliate of the USGA®. You can buy a Handicap ID right in TheGrint, or link the GHIN® number you already have, and your scores stay in sync. Before you go official, TheGrint shows you an estimated handicap for free. Outside the US, TheGrint offers a GHAP handicap through its partner GHAP.
18Birdies calculates its own number, the 18Birdies Handicap. Its help center says it isn't accepted for USGA-sanctioned tournaments and doesn't update or link with GHIN. You can type in a handicap you already have. More about handicaps on TheGrint.
GPS and green reading
Both apps give free front, center and back distances. TheGrint covers 40,000+ courses; 18Birdies lists over 43,000 courses on the App Store. For reading greens, TheGrint Pro has Green Maps on 25,000+ courses, with 3 free trial views, and 18Birdies Premium has its own Green Maps. 18Birdies Premium also adds plays-like distances; TheGrint's GPS doesn't adjust for wind, elevation or slope. See TheGrint GPS.
Scoring, stats and games
Both apps keep score hole by hole for free. TheGrint shows the headline numbers in every stats module for free and adds 50+ performance stats and Insights with Pro. 18Birdies keeps basic stats free and puts advanced stats and Strokes Gained in Premium. TheGrint includes 6 games and live leaderboards for free, and 11 games with Pro; 18Birdies also offers free side games and live leaderboards.
Price and free trial
TheGrint is free for every golfer, with no time limit. A yearly Pro Membership is $59.99. 18Birdies Premium is $99.99 a year on 18birdies.com, and its App Store listing shows other prices too. Both have a 7-day free trial of the paid plan. For more advanced features, try TheGrint Pro free for 7 days. Compare TheGrint Free vs Pro.
Where 18Birdies is ahead
18Birdies Premium has plays-like distances, club recommendations that factor in wind and elevation, Strokes Gained and an AI swing analyzer. If those are what you want most, 18Birdies is worth a look.
Which one should you pick?
Pick TheGrint if you want an official handicap in the US, or a GHAP handicap elsewhere, in the same app you score with, and a lower yearly price for the paid plan. Pick 18Birdies if plays-like distances and Strokes Gained matter more to you than an official handicap.
Handicap
An official handicap in the app (US)
In the US, buy a Handicap ID in TheGrint or link your GHIN number, and your scores stay in sync. TheGrint is a licensed data affiliate of the USGA.
- Free estimated handicap before you go official
- GHAP handicap outside the US, included with Pro
See the handicaps page.
Devices
TheGrint: iPhone, Android, Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, and Wear OS watches.
18Birdies: iPhone, Android, Apple Watch and Wear OS watches, per its help center.
TheGrint vs 18Birdies at a glance
| Feature | TheGrint | 18Birdies |
|---|---|---|
| Price of the free app | Free, no time limit | Free |
| Paid plan, yearly (US) | Pro: $59.99 | Premium: $99.99 (18birdies.com) |
| Free trial of the paid plan | 7 days | 7 days (yearly and monthly) |
| Official handicap in the US | Buy a Handicap ID in the app or link your GHIN number | No. The 18Birdies Handicap isn't accepted for USGA-sanctioned events and doesn't link with GHIN |
| Handicap outside the US | GHAP handicap ($9.99 a year, included with Pro) | 18Birdies Handicap |
| GPS front, center and back | Free, 40,000+ courses | Free, over 43,000 courses (App Store listing) |
| Green reading maps | Pro (Green Maps, 25,000+ courses; 3 free trial views) | Premium (Green Maps) |
| Plays-like distances | No | Premium |
| Stats | Headline stats free; 50+ stats and Insights with Pro | Basic stats free; advanced stats and Strokes Gained with Premium |
| Games and live leaderboards | 6 games free, 11 with Pro; live leaderboards free | Side games and live leaderboards free |
| Apple Watch and Wear OS | Yes; GPS free, watch scoring with Pro | Yes; core watch features free |
18Birdies facts from 18birdies.com, its help center and its US App Store listing, checked October 13, 2026. Prices can change and vary by store and country.
TheGrint vs 18Birdies FAQ
Is TheGrint or 18Birdies better for an official handicap?
TheGrint. In the US, you can buy a Handicap ID in TheGrint or link your GHIN number. 18Birdies says its 18Birdies Handicap isn't accepted for USGA-sanctioned events and doesn't link with GHIN.
Which costs less, TheGrint Pro or 18Birdies Premium?
TheGrint Pro is $59.99 a year. 18Birdies Premium is $99.99 a year on 18birdies.com (checked October 13, 2026). Both apps are free to use without a paid plan.
Do both apps have free GPS?
Yes. Both give free front, center and back distances. TheGrint covers 40,000+ courses.
Do both apps have green reading maps?
Yes, as a paid feature. TheGrint Pro has Green Maps on 25,000+ courses, with 3 free trial views. 18Birdies has Green Maps in Premium.
Can I switch from 18Birdies to TheGrint?
Yes. TheGrint is free to download. Free members can import 20 past scores, and Pro members get unlimited score imports.
18Birdies is a trademark of its owner. USGA® and GHIN® are registered trademarks of the United States Golf Association®. All rights reserved.
