Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Sunday, May 18th
Birdi aims to be an all-in-one healthcare solution "for your entire flock”. However, at the moment, their services are limited to pharmacy needs: there are no telemedicine visits or other healthcare options to choose from, at least as of the date of this review. The "About Birdi” portion of the website makes it sound like those extra services are on the horizon, though, so keep an eye out.
3 ways to use Birdi
How you access Birdi's online pharmacy depends on whether or not they're the designated mail order pharmacy for your insurance. If so, you'll create a Mail Order account when you click on "Join Birdi”. If not, you'll need to select "Create a basic account” to get cash prices on your prescriptions or manage them on others' behalf (like your children or spouse). The third option is to get the Birdi Discount Card and use it at a brick-and-mortar pharmacy near you (which is remarkably similar to another, better-known service on our list).
Pricing is transparent and mostly competitive
That last service is the only one that lets you look up prescription prices without creating a Birdi account, so it's what we used for our comparison pricing. Here's what we found on the 3 commonly-prescribed medications that we used as an apples-to-apples reference in our evaluation:
Mail-order benefits are harder to come by
But, remember that these are all prices at brick-and-mortar pharmacies; until you sign up on your own or with your health insurance that designates Birdi as the mail order partner, you're not getting the full benefits of an online pharmacy.
OTC options aren't clear
We're also not sure how that affects your ability to get OTC remedies when you're ordering your prescriptions online through Birdi. You can look up options at local pharmacies, but we can't confirm that you could tack on some allergy meds or pain relievers with your medication order.
24/7 pharmacist help
On a positive note, we really appreciate that Birdi gives you access to pharmacists around the clock. Whether you've got questions about a new prescription or you think you're experiencing side effects, you can get help with urgent situations within an hour; less urgent issues will get a call-back during business hours the next day, if you're leaving a message after hours.
Feedback is limited - and underwhelming
Unfortunately, Birdi has earned a rock-bottom "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. The low grade is for failing to respond to 4 complaints, as well as the 16 total complaints filed against it with the BBB. Those numbers aren't staggering, but the issues raised are reflected in customer feedback in other places too. Over on the Google Play store, for instance, more recent reviews say that the Birdi app is buggy and slow. Apple's App Store has comments that sound familiar: "every time, it crashes” and "can't view prescriptions”. Beyond the BBB and those two app stores, there's just not any buzz for this online pharmacy.
Getting better but still not an online pharmacy we'd choose
We feel comfortable bringing Birdi up from its previous "couldn't get any worse” rating here. They've become established enough to serve as the chosen mail order pharmacy for some health insurance companies, and there's more feedback than we found in our earlier evaluation. But, that's still not quite enough to be competitive with Birdi's rivals on our list - neither with the online-only pharmacies, nor with the "discount card” options. We'll keep an eye on Birdi and see if any of those "all-in-one” healthcare benefits come around, but for now, we can still only rate this company as below average.
Have you ever made that oh-so-familiar "pick up the refills” trip to the pharmacy, only to get stuck in line behind someone asking a million questions? If so, switching to an online pharmacy could be a game-changer. After all, ordering medication online is becoming more popular, and it's easy to see why.
You get the convenience of shopping from home, the potential to save money, and the privacy of handling sensitive health needs without the awkward face-to-face conversations. Whether you need a daily prescription, over-the-counter meds, or even pet medications, an online pharmacy can deliver it all right to your door - and usually for less than you'd spend at a brick-and-mortar store.
Let's be honest - convenience is a big part of the appeal. Instead of rushing to the pharmacy before it closes or standing in line when you're not feeling well, you can hop online, place an order, and be done in minutes. Most online pharmacies have user-friendly websites and apps where you can upload prescriptions, browse medications, and even set up automatic refills. Some sites will even remind you when it's time to reorder, so you're not scrambling at the last second.
And the savings? That's another huge perk. Traditional pharmacies have overhead costs - think rent, staff, and inventory - that get passed on to you. Online pharmacies often operate with lower expenses, which means you could score better prices on both prescription and over-the-counter meds. Many sites accept insurance, and you can usually find discounts or coupons for extra savings. If you're managing a long-term condition or need medication regularly, these savings can really add up.
Privacy is another reason people turn to online pharmacies. If you need medication for a sensitive health issue, ordering online can feel a lot less stressful than talking to someone in person. Most online pharmacies offer discreet packaging, so neither the mail carrier nor the UPS delivery guy will know what's inside. Some even provide virtual consultations with licensed pharmacists or doctors, so you can get professional advice without having to leave your couch.
That said, not all online pharmacies are created equal, so it's important to choose wisely. The last thing you want is to get stuck with counterfeit medication or poor customer service. To stay safe, make sure the pharmacy is properly licensed and accredited, like those certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). A reputable pharmacy will always require a valid prescription for prescription medications - if they don't, that's a major red flag. Also, look for secure payment options, and check out customer reviews to make sure other people have had good experiences.
If you're ready to give online pharmacies a try, here are a few things to keep in mind when comparing your options:
Using the research we've done at Top Consumer Reviews, you can find a trusted online pharmacy that delivers exactly what you need - without the hassle of a trip to the pharmacy. Switching to an online pharmacy can make managing your health easier, more affordable, and way less stressful.
Select any 2 Online Pharmacies to compare them head to head