If you found this from a search, you're probably comparing apps that turn a phone into a dog monitor. Barkio is one of the longest-running apps of its kind in the world. Merdilo is an app built around a single question: how does your dog really feel when they're left alone? Here's an honest comparison - including the situations where we won't be the better choice.
What the two apps have in common
Let's start with the similarities, because there are plenty. Both Merdilo and Barkio:
- run on two devices - one stays with your dog as a camera, the other you take with you,
- give you a live view with video and sound,
- send notifications when your dog starts making noise,
- don't require buying any hardware - they use the phone, tablet or computer you already have.
So if you're just looking for a "way to peek in on your dog," both apps will do the job. The differences run deeper.
Merdilo vs Barkio - comparison table
| Merdilo | Barkio | |
|---|---|---|
| What the app hears | Recognizes the type of sound: barking, whimpering, howling | Detects barking and noise |
| Report after a session | Event timeline + Calm Score + trend across sessions | Activity history |
| Data for a behaviorist | Yes - sound patterns and scores across multiple days | Check the maker's current offering |
| Where the sound is analyzed | Locally on your device | Depends on the maker's setup |
| Platforms | iPhone, Android, Mac (Mac App Store), Windows (Microsoft Store) | iPhone, Android and web solutions |
| Talking to your dog | Yes (in Premium) | Yes |
| Try before you decide | 7 days of full features for free | Subscription model - check the current offering |
This comparison was put together in June 2026 based on publicly available information. App features change - check the current store descriptions before you decide.
What sets Merdilo apart
1. It understands what it hears - not just that it's loud
Most dog monitors react to the noise level. Merdilo analyzes the sound and recognizes whether it's barking, whimpering or howling - and that's a huge difference. A single bark at the garbage truck is a normal reaction. Howling that builds up 10 minutes after you leave is a sign of trouble being alone, and you won't catch it with simple noise detection.
2. A report instead of raw recordings
After every session you get a timeline: when your dog made sounds, for how long, what kind they were, plus a Calm Score that sums up the whole thing. After a few weeks you can see a trend - whether alone-time training is working or the issue is growing. If you're working with a behaviorist on separation anxiety, this data takes you from guesswork to a plan much faster.
3. Merdilo is built by one pet parent and his dog
There's no corporation behind Merdilo - just Damian and Bursztyn, who keeps him company at work every day. The app grew out of a question every pet parent knows: what does he actually feel when he's left alone?
In practice that means Merdilo is designed and built by one person - the same person who teaches the app to recognize dog sounds and uses it with his own dog every day.
4. Privacy: analysis on the device
The sound from your home is analyzed locally on the device that stays with your dog, and the connection between your devices is encrypted. Recordings from your living room are not stored on our servers.
When Barkio might be the right choice
Honestly: Barkio has been around for many years and has polished, simple monitoring. If you only need a live view with a noise notification - without analyzing the type of sound or behavioral reports - Barkio will do the job. Try both apps during their trials and see which one fits your day-to-day better.
Frequently asked questions
How is Merdilo different from Barkio, in one sentence?
Barkio tells you that your dog made noise - Merdilo explains what the sound was, when it happened, and what it means for their wellbeing.
Can I use Merdilo on my computer?
Yes - Merdilo runs natively on Mac (Mac App Store) and Windows (Microsoft Store). A laptop can be both the camera next to your dog and the screen you watch from at work.
Is switching from another app hard?
No. You install Merdilo on two devices, sign in with one account and start your first session - the whole thing takes about 5 minutes. The history from your previous app doesn't carry over, but you'll see your first report right after your first time out of the house.
Is Merdilo free?
Merdilo runs on a subscription model with a 7-day free trial. For the first week you get full access - including the Calm Score and talking to your dog - and you can cancel anytime, before you pay anything.
Try it and compare for yourself
The best comparison is the one you run yourself: download Merdilo, start your first session the next time you head out, and look at the report. If you decide it's not for you, you can cancel the trial anytime and pay nothing.