Efficiently score animal behavior
The Observer
Behavior observations are a key part of many research areas, from neuroscience to wildlife and farm animal studies. The Observer allows you to easily annotate and analyze behavior.
Time saving Gone are the days of manual inputting data from paper
Collaborate Share ethograms and instantly calculate reliability
At your pace Score from live video or pre-recorded videos
Design. Observe. Analyze.
Design your ethogram
Build structured coding schemes that match your research design. Creating the ideal ethogram based on desired end points will save you time.
Capture behavior precisely
Record live or use pre-recorded videos and code events, states, and interactions with frame-level accuracy to gather a detailed look.
Analyze and export data
Explore sequences, durations, and co-occurrences, then export structured datasets for statistical analysis.
The Observer packages overview
The Observer comes in packages tailored for your research needs, built to support researchers at every stage of behavioral study. With powerful tools for data collection, seamless collaboration, and flexible integrations, The Observer grows with your research.
Best pricing for smaller setups
Essential
Code live or from multiple videos
Includes advanced analyses like inter-rater reliability
Best for early-stage projects and budget-conscious teams
Most popular
Advanced
Includes everything in Essential, plus:
2 coder licenses for parallel coding and team collaboration
Recording tool MediaRecorder that enables synchronous video recordings from up to eight different sources
Ideal for large labs
Premium
Includes everything in Advanced, plus:
Multiple licenses (three seats) and unlimited coder licenses
External data for integration and synchronization
Build your complete solution
Hardware
Pair The Observer with hardware for audio, video, and sensor integration. From cameras to physiological sensors, build the setup that fits your protocol.
NoldusCare
Add an additional year of NoldusCare to keep your software performing at its best. Includes the latest features, ongoing technical support, and access to the Noldus Academy. The first year is included free of charge.
Remote training
Ensure a strong start with our remote training sessions. Led by experienced Noldus trainers, these sessions help you quickly become familiar with the software.
Hardware Options
Camera & Audio Package
Professional cameras and microphones for synchronized behavioral recording.
Sensor Integration
Connect physiological sensors for heart rate, respiration, and other measurements.
NoldusCare Extensions
NoldusCare The Observer
1 additional year of NoldusCare for The Observer. Includes updates, support, and Noldus Academy access.
Training Packages
Observer Training (Remote)
Remote training session covering The Observer setup, coding schemes, and analysis.
Structured behavioral analysis
Practical features that support your research
Understanding behavior requires more than recording what happens. It requires a structured approach that connects study design, observation, analysis, and data integration in one coherent workflow.
Create reliable data
The Observer has been cited in over 15,000 peer-reviewed studies, it's the go-to solution for researchers who want credible results that meet the highest standards. To increase reliability, you can calculate the Cohen's Kappa coefficient to measure the inter-rater reliability.
Synchronize all your data into one program
Get complete insight into behavior and physiology and take advantage of fully integrated equipment. Besides annotation of behavior from video, all types of data, such as heart rate, acoustics, and environmental data can be imported in The Observer.
Clear visualizations
Generate graphs and visual summaries that reveal trends, durations, and behavioral structures at a glance. Visualizing your data helps you understand it better and lets you create professional figures for your publications.
Code on the go
With Pocket Observer, the mobile companion to The Observer, you can take all the benefits of The Observer into the field. It doesn't matter if you are in a barn, nature reserve, or in the middle of the ocean. No more hours spent manually converting data from illegible paper ethograms.
Proven in scientific research
The Observer in action in peer-reviewed studies
Insights into primate communication
Decoding Gorillas' gestures
Western lowland gorillas use gestures to negotiate social interactions. This study used The Observer to code and analyze their communicative behaviors in detail.
Temporal patterns in behaviors
Cats and their owners
This study used T-pattern analysis with The Observer to uncover hidden temporal structures in the interactions between cats and their owners.
Frequently asked questions
About The Observer
Important factors for the system requirements include the use of video, the amount of data, the complexity of data selections and analyses, and the size of external data files. For optimal performance and functionality, an up-to-date computer system is strongly recommended.
Yes. The Observer allows you to adapt your coding scheme even while you are observing. If a behavior was unintentionally omitted, it can be added during the session without interrupting your workflow, ensuring flexibility without compromising data quality.
Yes. The Observer integrates seamlessly with EthoVision for video tracking data and UltraVox for ultrasonic vocalizations. This allows you to visualize and analyze behavioral, spatial, and acoustic data streams together within one synchronized timeline.
You can use both continuous sampling to record all behaviors during an observation period and instantaneous sampling to focus on specific moments or subjects, depending on your research design.
With Pocket Observer, the mobile companion to The Observer, you can code behavior in real-world settings while participants are on the move. Whether participants are moving on a playground, in a store, or in a museum, you can capture detailed observational data unobtrusively using its intuitive interface. Data can later be synchronized for further analysis within The Observer.
The Observer offers a Coder license that allows multiple observers to code behavior simultaneously within the same research project. Using The Observer Coder license allows for coding and visualization only. After all behaviors are coded, you can collect the observations in your main project with a full license of The Observer and perform data selection, visualization, and analysis.
Want more info?
Book a demo!
Does this solution sound interesting to you? But do you want more info before making a final decision? Feel free to book a demo with us! We're happy to help you make a choice that fits your needs.