Comparison

Phyto vs NOAA Exhibits

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

Head to head
About

Phyto

Learn to identify common marine and freshwater phytoplankton with this educational app. It features a comprehensive identification guide, flashcards, and interactive games to aid learning. Developed with support from NOAA, it's designed for both iPhone and iPad.

Highlights
  • Phytoplankton identification guide
  • Marine and freshwater species
  • Flash cards for learning
  • Interactive identification games
  • Species details and photos
  • Submit observation results
Features
Read full description

Phyto helps you learn to identify phytoplankton and their proper pronunciation. It includes the most common marine and freshwater phytoplankton. --------------------- Phyto Version 2.0 - Completely redesigned! --------------------- - Many new species added with more details and photos. - Freshwater and Marine species now included - Flash Cards and Fast Phyto: two games to help learn how to identify phytoplankton - Species Identification Guide - Phytoplankton Monitoring Network volunteers can submit sample observation results - Embedded news and information browser - Universal App: now works well on both the iPhone and iPad (support for all screen sizes and resolutions) ----------------- This application was developed by the Phytoplankton Monitoring Network which is sponsored by the Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research division of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

About

NOAA Exhibits

Features
Read full description

Download the NOAA Exhibits app when visiting the Treasures of NOAA’s Ark exhibit (currently at the Navy museum in Washington, D.C.) or the Gateway to NOAA in Silver Spring, Maryland. Access videos, photos, and stories about NOAA’s heritage, highlighting 200 years of science, service, and stewardship. About NOAA The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration formed in 1970, but it’s roots are much older, beginning with Thomas Jefferson and the founding of Survey of the Coast in 1807. Today, NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.

Screenshots

Phyto4 screens
NOAA Exhibits4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: NOAA Exhibits at 13.0 against Phyto's 15.0. On price, update cadence, 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Phyto ships an update every 10 months, NOAA Exhibits every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Phyto versus NOAA Exhibits: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhytoNOAA Exhibits
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size81 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGano Technologies LLCNational Marine Sanctuary Foundation

In-app purchases

None

Phyto

No in-app purchases

None

NOAA Exhibits

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Phyto free?
Phyto is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NOAA Exhibits free?
NOAA Exhibits is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Phyto or NOAA Exhibits have ads?
Neither Phyto nor NOAA Exhibits shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Phyto or NOAA Exhibits?
Phyto ships an update every 10 months, and NOAA Exhibits every 11 months. Most recently, Phyto was updated on October 23, 2026 and NOAA Exhibits on October 4, 2026.

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