Comparison

iNaturalist vs Icon Builder

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

Head to head
About

iNaturalist

Identify plants, animals, and fungi using your camera or imported photos. Get AI-powered species suggestions and connect with a global community of nature enthusiasts to learn more about the natural world and contribute to scientific conservation efforts.

Highlights
  • AI species identification
  • Record species observations
  • Contribute to scientific data
  • Explore biodiversity
  • Connect with nature enthusiasts
Currently charting
Read full description

Your photos of plants, animals, fungi, and more can help protect nature all around the world. iNaturalist is free, nonprofit, and community-powered. iNaturalist helps millions of people learn about and document the nature around them. Point your camera at plants, animals, and fungi to get instant identification suggestions, then share your photos or sound recordings as an "observation." Then, see your observation get reviewed by a global community of knowledgeable nature-lovers to turn it into a useful data point for science and conservation efforts. Your everyday moments of curiosity can directly contribute to protecting nature, and you don't need any previous experience or knowledge to get started. iNaturalist is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to connecting people to nature and advancing biodiversity science and conservation, and is freely available thanks to the generous support of our community. KEY FEATURES • Identify species from anywhere in the world • Contribute to science by sharing your observations • Keep a record of species you see • Explore and protect biodiversity • Connect with and learn from other nature enthusiasts

About

Icon Builder

Features
Read full description

This app is designed to teach students the traditional art of drawing and painting Byzantine icons through a structured series of high-quality video tutorials. Learners can access step-by-step guidance, printable worksheets, and carefully crafted model references to support their artistic development. Key Features: Video Lessons: Comprehensive tutorials covering both drawing and painting techniques. Worksheets & Models: Downloadable resources to help practice and refine skills. 3D Icon Models: View and interact with icons in 3D for better understanding of form and detail. Community Chat: Connect with fellow students to share your progress, receive feedback, and exchange ideas. The app includes auto-renewable subscription options for continued access to premium content and features. Terms of Use: This app uses Apple’s Standard License Agreement. You can view it here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

iNaturalist4 screens
Icon Builder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iNaturalist at none against Icon Builder's 2. iNaturalist also leads on chart position (#76 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, 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. Icon Builder sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. iNaturalist asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iNaturalist ships an update fortnightly, Icon Builder every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
iNaturalist versus Icon Builder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriNaturalistIcon Builder
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (684 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews48.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings684 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#76 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.1 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size220 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperiNaturalistIcon Builder

Bugs and requests

iNaturalist

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App freezes when suggesting IDs on audio clips
  • Inconsistent tap responsiveness in search menu
  • Observation time not accurately filling based on upload time
  • Map showing incorrect observation locations
  • Crashes and performance issues on some devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to type in address/coordinates for location
  • Option to add observations to projects during upload
  • Batch editing/uploading of observations
  • More precise search filters (e.g. aquatic, parasitic, migratory)
  • Bring back colored observation markers on map

Icon Builder

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

iNaturalist

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Icon Builder

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$14.991 Month
  • Semi Yearly Plan$75.006 Months

Questions

Is iNaturalist free?
iNaturalist is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Icon Builder free?
Icon Builder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do iNaturalist or Icon Builder have ads?
Neither iNaturalist nor Icon Builder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iNaturalist or Icon Builder?
iNaturalist ships an update fortnightly, and Icon Builder every 3 weeks. Most recently, iNaturalist was updated on October 19, 2026 and Icon Builder on October 7, 2026.

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