Comparison

MicroPlastics vs PlastIQ

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

Head to head
About

MicroPlastics

Scan food and drink products to assess microplastic contamination risk based on scientific research. Receive a safety score, track exposure, and discover safer alternatives. Features include AI-powered packaging analysis and context-aware scoring.

Highlights
  • Hybrid barcode and image scanning
  • Science-based safety scoring
  • Packaging material analysis
  • Physical wear assessment
  • Contextual usage modifiers
  • Exposure tracking dashboard
  • Local eco guide
Features
Read full description

Know what's really in your food and water. MicroPlastics turns your phone into a microplastics detector. Scan any food, drink, cosmetic, or container and get an exposure score in seconds, with the actual research behind every number. No account needed to start. WHY PEOPLE USE IT "I never knew." Most of us have no idea how much plastic our everyday habits add up to. A scratched water bottle, a microwaved container, that morning takeout coffee. They are not all equal, and now you can see the difference. HOW IT WORKS - Scan with your camera, a barcode, or a photo - We read the packaging: material, condition, and how you use it - You get a 0 to 100 exposure score (lower is better) and one clear next step - Every score links to the peer-reviewed studies it is based on SCAN AND UNDERSTAND - Scan food, drinks, cosmetics, and containers by camera, barcode, or photo - Ingredient checker: paste any ingredient list or cosmetic label to flag hidden plastics and polymers - Risk checker: estimate exposure for any material, including PET, HDPE, polystyrene, and glass - Shopping Mode: scan a whole cart and see its combined plastic load before you buy - Real citations on every score (ACS, PNAS, ScienceDirect, PMC) CUT IT DOWN - Lower-plastic swaps, free of BPA and phthalates, matched to what you scanned - Build a watchlist of what to avoid, from BPA and PFAS to phthalates and other additives - Save swaps or create your own - Avoidance guides: water filters for microplastics, glass water bottles, non-toxic cookware, plastic-free food storage, safer baby bottles, and more TRACK AND BUILD HABITS - Your Plastic Passport tracks exposure and progress over time - MicroQuests and weekly plans turn good intentions into small, doable steps - Room-by-room audits for your kitchen, bathroom, and beyond - A clean weekly report of where your exposure is trending - Streaks, stamps, and friendly challenges with friends DISCOVER - Find lower-plastic spots near you, including water refill stations, zero-waste stores, and farmers markets - Browse lab-tested products and their measured chemical levels - See what everyone is checking with Trending - Ask the Plastic Coach anything about microplastics, BPA, PFAS, or safer swaps THE SCIENCE The scoring model draws on peer-reviewed research, including: - Microwaving some containers can release up to 4.22 million microplastic and 2.11 billion nanoplastic particles per square centimeter in 3 minutes (Environmental Science and Technology, 2023) - One liter of bottled water holds about 240,000 plastic particles, roughly 90% of them nanoplastics (PNAS, 2024) - Repeatedly opening and closing a bottle can nearly double the microplastics in it (ACS ES&T Water, 2020) Every scan shows the specific studies used. FREE TO START Try it with a few free scans. No account, no card. Or start a 3 day free trial of Premium for unlimited scans, full reports, exposure tracking, and lower-plastic swaps. Premium Monthly: 3 days free, then $7.99 per month Premium Annual: 3 days free, then $49.99 per year (save about 48%) Payment is charged to your Apple ID at purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings. Privacy Policy: https://microplasticsapp.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://microplasticsapp.com/terms Questions? team@microplasticsapp.com

About

PlastIQ

This app helps you make informed food choices by detecting and scoring microplastic contamination in everyday foods and drinks. It uses AI to analyze packaging, ingredients, and food types, providing a risk score and tracking your exposure over time to help you form healthier habits.

Highlights
  • Microplastic detection via AI
  • Food item scanning (picture/barcode)
  • Color-coded risk score (0-100)
  • History log and exposure tracking
  • Science-driven insights
  • Habit formation tools
Features
Read full description

PlastIQ is the cutting-edge app that helps you make informed, confident food choices by detecting and scoring the presence of microplastics in everyday foods and drinks. Whether you're health-conscious, eco-aware, or simply curious about what’s on your plate—PlastIQ is your trusted tool for modern food awareness. How It Works: • Snap or Scan: Take a picture or scan a barcode—PlastIQ instantly analyzes the food item • Microplastic Detection: Our AI estimates microplastic contamination based on packaging, ingredients, and food type • Exposure Score: Receive a color-coded risk score, 0-100, indicating the likelihood of significant microplastic exposure • Science-Driven Insights: Powered by real environmental data, academic research, and machine learning Track Your Exposure Over Time • View a full History Log of everything you’ve scanned • Spot trends in your eating habits and track daily, weekly, and monthly exposure averages • Use the data to form better habits and reduce long-term health risks Why Choose PlastIQ? • Unmatched Accuracy: Our AI combines ingredient analysis, packaging data, and food-type profiles • Easy to Use: Clean, modern interface that’s intuitive for all users • Built for Transparency: No hidden gimmicks—just real insights and clear scores • Built for You: Whether you're a parent, athlete, or eco-advocate, PlastIQ helps you take control of your food habits Your Health. Your Control. Microplastics are in more foods than you think—from fish to fruit, drinks to desserts. PlastIQ gives you the power to understand your risk and take simple, everyday action to lower it. Note: Scanning capabilities require an account (Apple, Google, or Email) and a paid subscription to function. Every subscription offers a 3-day free trial -- so try PlastIQ out and see the value for yourself! PlastIQ adheres to the standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

MicroPlastics4 screens
PlastIQ4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: MicroPlastics at freemium against PlastIQ's subscription. MicroPlastics also leads on ratings volume (6 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.4). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. MicroPlastics sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and PlastIQ sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for MicroPlastics against 5.0 for PlastIQ. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MicroPlastics has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
MicroPlastics versus PlastIQ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicroPlasticsPlastIQ
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (6 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings6 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.4
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRaja HasanOchre Rose Software LLC

Customer experience

MicroPlastics

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

PlastIQ

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

MicroPlastics

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly3 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Premium Annual3 Days trial$49.991 Year
4 purchases

PlastIQ

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly PlastIQ Subscription3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Monthly PlastIQ Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Annual PlastIQ Subscription3 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Annual PlastIQ Subscription$29.991 Year

Questions

Is MicroPlastics free?
MicroPlastics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PlastIQ free?
PlastIQ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MicroPlastics or PlastIQ?
MicroPlastics and PlastIQ are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do MicroPlastics or PlastIQ have ads?
Neither MicroPlastics nor PlastIQ shows ads.

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