# GLOBE Observer vs PolliNation ID

GLOBE Observer and PolliNation ID both sit at 3.1 stars, but that hides the real split: 34% of GLOBE Observer's written reviews are positive against 0% of PolliNation ID's. GLOBE Observer also leads on ratings volume (86 vs 1) and chart position (#206 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.1 for GLOBE Observer against 3.0 for PolliNation ID. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GLOBE Observer has 86 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 34% of GLOBE Observer's written reviews are positive against 0% of PolliNation ID's.

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, PolliNation ID every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GLOBE Observer | PolliNation ID |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.1 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globe-observer/id1090456751/reviews)** | [3.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pollination-id/id1509525273/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **86** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **33.9% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#206** | — |
| Size | 5 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 13.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [NASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/355542146) | [The University of Michigan](https://appshunter.io/developer/380339599) |

## What reviewers say

### GLOBE Observer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globe-observer/id1090456751)

**Currently charting:** #206 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Contribute to real scientific research by making environmental observations. Document clouds, mosquito habitats, land cover, and trees using your mobile device. Your data supports scientists worldwide, including NASA and NOAA.

**Highlights:** Make environmental observations, Document clouds, Map mosquito habitats, Record land cover, Measure tree height, Contribute to scientific research

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for citizen science
- 💡 Educational and informative
- 👍 Easy to use (for some)
- 👍 Meaningful environmental measurements
- 👍 Fun and engaging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Login/update issues
- 🐛 Account creation problems
- 🐛 Observations not submitting
- 🐛 Poor UI/UX design

**Reported bugs**

- Checking for updates loop
- 504 error on account creation
- Fails after step 5 in account creation
- Robot verification loop
- App crashes on opening

**Requested features**

- Improve UI/UX design
- Add dark mode
- Better translation
- Notifications for satellite flyovers
- Integrate with WorldView or Google Earth


### PolliNation ID

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pollination-id/id1509525273)

Contribute to a citizen science project by identifying and documenting native pollinators. Learn about their habits and habitats, and submit photos to help researchers understand their distribution.

**Highlights:** Identify native pollinators, Learn about habits and habitats, Submit photos of findings, Contribute to citizen science, Increase awareness of pollinators

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GLOBE Observer free?

GLOBE Observer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PolliNation ID free?

PolliNation ID is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, GLOBE Observer or PolliNation ID?

GLOBE Observer is rated higher. GLOBE Observer averages 3.1 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while PolliNation ID averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do GLOBE Observer or PolliNation ID have ads?

Neither GLOBE Observer nor PolliNation ID shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GLOBE Observer or PolliNation ID?

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, and PolliNation ID every 5 weeks. Most recently, GLOBE Observer was updated on September 29, 2026 and PolliNation ID on September 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*