Comparison

macroHOLZdata vs Wood Identifier

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

macroHOLZdata

Identify common trade timbers using macroscopic features. This app provides high-quality illustrations and a database of wood properties, processing, and utilization information. It's a valuable tool for education and self-study in forestry and the timber industry.

Highlights
  • Interactive timber identification
  • Macroscopic feature observation
  • High-quality color illustrations
  • Wood properties database
  • Processing and utilization information
  • Educational tool for wood technology
Features
Read full description

The knowledge about recognition and utilization of the most important internationally traded timbers is of prime importance to forestry and wood industry as well as timber trade and even control authorities. As an important tool for this purpose, the database macroHOLZdata developed at the Thünen Institute for Wood Research has been programmed as an app for smartphones and tablets. The macroHOLZdata app offers: • interactive identification of common trade timbers (hardwoods and softwoods) based on macroscopic features to be observed with the unaided eye or with a hand lens, • high quality colour illustrations of wood characters and timbers featuring transverse (10x) and longitudinal surfaces (natural size), • database offering pertinent information on wood properties, processing, and utilization, • innovative tool for teaching at vocational schools and higher educational facilities with a wood technology and forestry related curriculum (also suitable for Do-It-Yourself education), • a textbook with definitions, explanations, procedures, etc. for most features used in the description of the timbers in terms of wood structure, properties, and utilization; specific information retrieval, • complete timber descriptions accompanied by high quality color illustrations depicting characteristic wood features. The app is also ideal suited for further education and training in forestry and timber industry as well as self-study for all those interested in wood.

About

Wood Identifier

Instantly identify wood species by taking a photo. Get detailed information on grain patterns, hardness, origin, and best uses. Features a comprehensive database and woodworking tips.

Highlights
  • AI photo recognition for wood identification
  • Database of 12,000+ wood species
  • Detailed grain pattern analysis
  • Janka hardness and workability ratings
  • Woodworking tips and guides
  • Wood comparison tool
  • Offline mode
Features
Read full description

Grainy is the most advanced AI-powered wood identifier available. Simply take a photo of any wood surface, and Grainy will instantly identify the species, tell you about its grain pattern, hardness, origin, and best uses. WHETHER YOU'RE A PRO OR A HOBBYIST Grainy is built for everyone who works with wood: - Professional woodworkers selecting the right materials - Carpenters identifying reclaimed lumber - Furniture makers evaluating wood quality - Flooring contractors verifying wood species - DIY enthusiasts learning about different woods - Antique collectors identifying wood in vintage pieces AI-POWERED INSTANT IDENTIFICATION Point your camera at any piece of wood and get results in seconds: - Identifies 12,000+ wood species worldwide - Recognizes grain patterns, color, and texture - Works on raw lumber, finished furniture, and flooring - High accuracy even on weathered or stained surfaces COMPREHENSIVE WOOD DATABASE Browse our extensive encyclopedia of wood species: - Detailed profiles with photos and descriptions - Janka hardness ratings and workability scores - Origin, sustainability, and availability information - Common uses and recommended finishes - Price range and sourcing recommendations WOODWORKING TIPS & GUIDES Get practical advice for every wood type: - Best finishing techniques for each species - Joinery recommendations based on wood properties - Tool selection guides for different hardwoods and softwoods - Project ideas matched to available wood types - Grain direction tips for cutting and planing WOOD COMPARISON TOOL Compare two or more wood species side by side: - Visual grain pattern comparison - Hardness and durability ratings - Price and availability differences - Best use-case recommendations - Environmental impact and sustainability scores FEATURES AT A GLANCE - AI photo recognition for instant wood identification - 12,000+ wood species in our database - Detailed grain pattern analysis - Janka hardness and workability ratings - Woodworking tips and finishing guides - Wood comparison tool - Offline mode for field use - Regular database updates with new species - Clean, intuitive interface PERFECT FOR - Woodworkers and carpenters - Furniture makers and restorers - Flooring and decking professionals - Lumber yard staff and timber buyers - DIY hobbyists and craft enthusiasts - Interior designers selecting materials - Antique dealers and collectors - Forestry and conservation students WHY USERS LOVE GRAINY "The most accurate wood identifier I've used. Identified a piece of spalted maple that other apps couldn't recognize." - Professional Woodworker "I use Grainy every day at the lumber yard. It saves me time and helps customers understand what they're buying." - Lumber Specialist "As a furniture restorer, knowing the exact wood species is critical. Grainy gets it right every time." - Antique Restorer Download Grainy today and never wonder "what wood is this?" again. Whether you're at a lumber yard, workshop, antique shop, or hiking trail, Grainy puts wood identification expertise in your pocket.

Screenshots

macroHOLZdata4 screens
Wood Identifier4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: macroHOLZdata at 5.0 against Wood Identifier's 4.4. macroHOLZdata also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.4). Wood Identifier's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (9 vs 1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Wood Identifier sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. macroHOLZdata asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

macroHOLZdata holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Wood Identifier has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

macroHOLZdata ships an update every 6 months, Wood Identifier fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
macroHOLZdata versus Wood Identifier: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermacroHOLZdataWood Identifier
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.4 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings19 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size130 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSven KochMetehan Gurgentepe

Customer experience

macroHOLZdata

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

Wood Identifier

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

macroHOLZdata

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Wood Identifier

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Access$6.997 Days
  • Premium Access$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Access$69.99

Questions

Is macroHOLZdata free?
macroHOLZdata is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Wood Identifier free?
Wood Identifier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, macroHOLZdata or Wood Identifier?
macroHOLZdata is rated higher. macroHOLZdata averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Wood Identifier averages 4.4 from 9 ratings.
Do macroHOLZdata or Wood Identifier have ads?
Neither macroHOLZdata nor Wood Identifier shows ads.
Which is updated more often, macroHOLZdata or Wood Identifier?
macroHOLZdata ships an update every 6 months, and Wood Identifier fortnightly. Most recently, macroHOLZdata was updated on October 3, 2026 and Wood Identifier on October 26, 2026.

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