# PlantNet vs Botanica

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PlantNet at none against Botanica's 2. PlantNet also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 65%). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Botanica sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. PlantNet asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PlantNet | Botanica |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plantnet/id600547573/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **7K** | — |
| Positive reviews | **82.6% of reviews** | 64.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 82 MB | 104 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cirad-France](https://appshunter.io/developer/582949607) | [MEMOgreen-media UG (haftungsbeschränkt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1578098678) |

## What reviewers say

### PlantNet

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plantnet/id600547573)

Identify plants by taking photos with your smartphone. Contribute to a global citizen science project to understand and preserve plant biodiversity. Recognizes thousands of wild and cultivated species.

**Highlights:** Identify plants by photographing them, Citizen science project for biodiversity, Supports identification of flowering plants, trees, grasses, and more, Recognizes cultivated plants in parks and gardens, Filter recognized species by genus or family, Map your observations, Links to plant factsheets

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Accurate plant identification
- 📚 Extensive plant database
- 🔍 Multiple identification options (flower, leaf, bark, etc.)
- 🤝 Community-driven identification
- 🆓 Free to use with no ads or subscriptions

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional identification errors
- 🌍 Limited coverage of certain regions/countries
- 🤖 Struggles with rare or unusual plants
- 🤔 Confusing interface for some users
- 📤 Difficulty uploading/accessing past photos

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes or freezes on some devices
- Geolocation issues (app thinks user is in wrong location)
- Inconsistent or missing plant identification results

**Requested features**

- Add more regional/local plant information
- Improve search and filtering options
- Provide plant care and usage details
- Allow users to save and organize identified plants
- Add a community forum or discussion features


### Botanica

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/botanica/id1578098676)

This app helps users learn about 382 different plants, including their common and botanical names, uses, and bloom colors. Test your knowledge with over 3000 questions and create custom learning levels to prepare for exams.

**Highlights:** Learn about 382 plant species, Detailed plant information (names, uses, colors), Over 3000 quiz questions, Category-specific exam questions, Create custom learning levels, Study plant characteristics

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Version monatlich | $3.49 | per month |
| Pro Version jährlich | $33.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PlantNet free?

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

### Is Botanica free?

Botanica is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do PlantNet or Botanica have ads?

Neither PlantNet nor Botanica shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PlantNet or Botanica?

PlantNet ships an update every 2 months, and Botanica every 2 months. Most recently, PlantNet was updated on October 26, 2026 and Botanica on October 24, 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.*