Comparison

Biome vs ForestScanner

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

Head to head
About

Biome

This app uses your phone's Lidar and AI to quickly measure tree diameter, height, and identify species. It's designed for efficient data collection in forestry and carbon projects, eliminating the need for manual tools and notes. Supports offline use for remote fieldwork.

Highlights
  • Lidar-based DBH and height measurement
  • AI-powered tree species identification
  • GPS-stamped plot data
  • Offline mode for remote fieldwork
  • Export raw measurements for carbon MRV
Read full description

Biome is a mobile app that turns your phone into a powerful field tool for measuring trees. Use Lidar and AI to measure diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, and identify species. No tape, no clinometer, no manual notes! Designed for smallholders, researchers, and carbon project developers, Biome helps you collect accurate, verifiable field data 10× faster. Features: • Lidar-based DBH and height measurement • Tree segmentation using AI (TreeSeg) • GPS-stamped plot data • Offline mode for remote fieldwork • Export raw measurements for carbon MRV workflows Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Tested and validated in real reforestation projects. *Requires device with LIDAR sensor (e.g. iPhone 12 Pro+)

About

ForestScanner

Features
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ForestScanner can acquire 3D point clouds using LiDAR-equipped iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPad Pro (2nd generation) 11-inch display or iPad Pro (4th generation) 12.9-inch display The 3D point cloud can be acquired using an iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPad Pro (2nd generation) with 11-inch display or iPad Pro (4th generation) with 12.9-inch display. When you tap the "+" icon on a tree, you can get the single tree information such as its diameter and latitude. The acquired point cloud and single tree information can be displayed after saving. The following is a summary of ForestScanner's functions. ■Function list ・3D scanner ・Obtain single tree information by tapping. ・Save the acquired point cloud and single tree information. ・Display and edit the list of saved point clouds and single tree information. ・Display and edit the list of saved point clouds and single tree information. ・Select and edit the list of tree species. ・Select and edit a list of tree species. - Create a csv file of the saved list of single tree information. ForestScannerは、LiDARを搭載したiPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPad Pro (第2世代) 11インチディスプレイまたはiPad Pro (第4世代) 12.9インチディスプレイ以降を用いて、3D点群が取得できます。 また、3D点群取得時に、単木へ+アイコンを合わせてタップすると単木の直径、経緯度等の単木情報を取得することが出来ます。 取得した点群と単木情報は、保存後に表示することができます。 以下ForestScannerの機能概要を記載します。 ■機能一覧 ・3Dスキャナー ・タップした単木情報を取得 ・取得した3D点群と単木情報を保存 ・保存した3D点群と単木情報の一覧を表示・編集 ・保存した3D点群と単木情報一覧を表示・単木情報を編集 ・樹種の一覧選択・編集 ・保存した単木情報一覧をcsvファイルにして保存

Screenshots

Biome4 screens
ForestScanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Biome at 5.0 against ForestScanner's 1.0. Biome also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). ForestScanner's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Biome holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Biome ships an update every 2 months, ForestScanner every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Biome versus ForestScanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBiomeForestScanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size192 MB102 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEarthshot LabsMAPRY Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Biome

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

ForestScanner

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Biome

No in-app purchases

None

ForestScanner

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Biome free?
Biome is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ForestScanner free?
ForestScanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Biome or ForestScanner?
Biome is rated higher. Biome averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while ForestScanner averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Biome or ForestScanner have ads?
Neither Biome nor ForestScanner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Biome or ForestScanner?
Biome ships an update every 2 months, and ForestScanner every 4 months. Most recently, Biome was updated on October 24, 2026 and ForestScanner on October 24, 2026.

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