Comparison

AlgaID vs Reef Life Identifier

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

Head to head
About

AlgaID

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Discover the world of algae with AlgaID, an AI-assisted identification app for students, researchers, professionals, and nature enthusiasts. Take a photo or choose one from your library. AlgaID analyzes the image and suggests a possible identification, including confidence information and available taxonomy details. EXPLORE AND LEARN • Identify algae using your camera or photo library • Follow the analysis through a clear identification process • Explore popular species and detailed algae information • Review your previous identifications in History • Track unique discoveries and unlock Explorer Levels • Share your AlgaID profile and achievements • Monitor usage within your rolling 30-day identification window ALGAID PREMIUM Upgrade with a monthly or annual auto-renewing subscription to unlock unlimited identifications and full taxonomy details. AlgaID provides AI-assisted predictions. Confirm critical identifications with a qualified expert. Payment is charged to your Apple ID when the purchase is confirmed. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://algaid.eaba-association.org/privacy-policy.php

About

Reef Life Identifier

Features
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ReefIQ identifies any fish, coral, invert or shell from a photo, checks a fish or coral that looks sick, and tracks your reef tank's water. Made for reef keepers, and for divers, snorkelers and beachcombers too. IDENTIFY ANY SPECIES Snap a fish, coral, shrimp, snail, crab or shell, in your tank, on a reef or in a tide pool. ReefIQ names it and tells you its size, diet, depth range, conservation status and a fun fact. For species kept in aquariums it adds the care level, the minimum tank size and whether it is reef compatible. Spotted a pest or hitchhiker? It says how harmful it is and how keepers remove it. HEALTH CHECK Worried about a fish or coral? Photograph it and get the most likely problem, how urgent it is, the signs to look for, the first steps for the next 24 hours and whether to quarantine. MY TANK Log your water tests: alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, phosphate, salinity, temperature and pH. See each parameter against reef targets, how many are in range, a trend chart for each one and how much alkalinity your tank uses a day. ASK A REEF EXPERT Chat about an identification, your tank, stocking, pests, coral care or marine life in the wild. The chat knows your latest water test. Every identification is saved in your history. Available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese and Brazilian Portuguese. ReefIQ requires a subscription or purchase to use premium features, plans detailed below: PREMIUM PLANS ($2.99/week, $7.99/month, $39.99/year, $24.99/year discount): • More identifications and health checks • Detailed and Expert answers • More chats with your reef expert The $2.99/week and $39.99/year plans start with a 3-day free trial. By downloading this app, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy: Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy: https://www.format.partners/reefiq-privacy-policy Support: https://www.format.partners/support Contact: hello@format.partners ReefIQ uses AI for educational identification and care guidance. Health checks are not veterinary advice: ask your local fish store or an aquatic vet before using any medication.

Screenshots

AlgaID3 screens
Reef Life Identifier4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: AlgaID at 15.1 against Reef Life Identifier's 18.5. 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. AlgaID sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.90 per month and Reef Life Identifier sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AlgaID ships an update monthly, Reef Life Identifier every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 28, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
AlgaID versus Reef Life Identifier: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlgaIDReef Life Identifier
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBydas, Agência de Comunicação Digital Unipessoal LimitadaFormat Partners LLC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

AlgaID

Subscriptions2
  • AlgaID Premium$8.901 Month
  • AlgaID Premium$79.991 Year
5 purchases

Reef Life Identifier

Subscriptions4
  • ReefIQ Premium - Weekly3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • ReefIQ Premium - Monthly$7.991 Month
  • ReefIQ Premium - Discount$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • ReefIQ Premium - Annual3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$59.99

Questions

Is AlgaID free?
AlgaID is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reef Life Identifier free?
Reef Life Identifier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AlgaID or Reef Life Identifier have ads?
Neither AlgaID nor Reef Life Identifier shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AlgaID or Reef Life Identifier?
AlgaID ships an update monthly, and Reef Life Identifier every 2 months. Most recently, AlgaID was updated on October 28, 2026 and Reef Life Identifier on October 28, 2026.

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