# GLOBE Observer vs iTrees App

The clearest difference is update cadence: GLOBE Observer at every 2 months against iTrees App's every 16 months. GLOBE Observer also leads on chart position (#206 vs unranked). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, iTrees App every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GLOBE Observer | iTrees App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.1 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globe-observer/id1090456751/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **86** | — |
| Positive reviews | 33.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 16 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | **#206** | — |
| Size | 5 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 13.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/355542146) | [LadyBird Environmental Consulting LLP](https://appshunter.io/developer/1610706833) |

## 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


### iTrees App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/itrees-app/id6742198455)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GLOBE Observer free?

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

### Is iTrees App free?

iTrees App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do GLOBE Observer or iTrees App have ads?

Neither GLOBE Observer nor iTrees App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GLOBE Observer or iTrees App?

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, and iTrees App every 16 months. Most recently, GLOBE Observer was updated on September 29, 2026 and iTrees App on September 17, 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.*