Comparison

iPhonotype vs ForestIN

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

Head to head
About

iPhonotype

Features
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iPhonotype is a mobile plant phenotyping app for researchers, labs, and controlled-environment workflows. Capture structured plant datasets directly on iPhone and organize them into experiments that are ready for downstream analysis. Use iPhonotype to record 3D plant scans, root imaging datasets, environmental light measurements, leaf reflectance readings, and top-view phenotyping sessions from a single mobile workflow. Key capabilities include: โ€ข 3D plant scanning and packaged capture sessions โ€ข Root capture workflows for dishes, videos, and scanner-style datasets โ€ข Environmental light and leaf reflectance measurements โ€ข 2D phenotyping workflows for foliage, seed lots, and fruit lots โ€ข On-device organization of experiments, sessions, and packaged results โ€ข Batch 3D preview building for selected scans, paced to protect device stability โ€ข Export of available preliminary traits and segmentation-mask evidence โ€ข Sync and handoff to iPhonotype Studio for deeper desktop analysis iPhonotype is built for scientific imaging workflows where traceable capture, organized data packaging, and flexible downstream analysis matter. Preliminary on-device traits support field checks. iPhonotype Studio remains the recommended workflow for final desktop analysis.

About

ForestIN

Features
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ForestIN is a free app for digitizing forest inventory data collection from your phone: plots, trees, species, and carbon calculation, all in a single workflow, with or without an internet connection. Built together with forest researchers, ForestIN replaces the field notebook and the process of typing handwritten data into a computer afterwards. Record it once, in the field, and get the report instantly. FIELD DATA COLLECTION - Create plots with full metadata: team, timestamps, slope, silvicultural system, stand development stage, canopy cover, and species composition. - Record individual trees: DBH, height, crown base height, first live/dead branch height, straightness, curvature, lean, damage, and vitality. - Define the plot area as circular, rectangular, or polygon-based, or import boundaries from an external file. - Add photographs to plots and trees for complete documentation. ACCURATE GEOREFERENCING - Use your phone's built-in GNSS receiver, or connect an external receiver via Bluetooth for higher accuracy. - Check real-time positioning precision while you work. - View plots and trees on an interactive map. INSTANT REPORTS, NO POST-PROCESSING - Generate inventory and carbon stock reports directly within the app, based on species-specific allometric equations. - Manage your own allometric equations, or your organization's, adapted to each region. - Export as PDF for reports, or as a ZIP archive with structured CSV files and photographs for external analysis. WORKS OFFLINE - All data is stored locally on the device and remains available without coverage. - Once connectivity is restored, ForestIN automatically syncs with the cloud (Supabase), enabling team collaboration and multi-device access. - Import historical records using a standardized CSV template, with automatic detection and skipping of duplicate entries. BUILT FOR REAL FIELDWORK - Sequential forms and predefined selection lists reduce data-entry time and errors. - Automatic validation prevents inconsistent or out-of-range values. - Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Finnish, Catalan and German. - Choose your preferred unit system and decimal separator. PROVEN RESULTS In a comparative study with 14 participants, total recording time with ForestIN was 59.2% lower than with the traditional paper-based method, by completely eliminating the subsequent data transcription step. Ideal for forestry technicians, researchers, forest managers, and students who need reliable, traceable, ready-to-use field data, without depending on third-party platforms or external licenses. ForestIN is free to use, and has been developed and tested across contrasting forest environments, making it adaptable to a wide range of ecological and operational contexts.

Screenshots

iPhonotype4 screens
ForestIN3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: ForestIN at every 6 days against iPhonotype's fortnightly. ForestIN also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iPhonotype ships an update fortnightly, ForestIN every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
iPhonotype versus ForestIN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriPhonotypeForestIN
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 6 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” better
Requires iOS17.013.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size199 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVinicius LubeCarlos Martin-Cortes

In-app purchases

None

iPhonotype

No in-app purchases

None

ForestIN

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iPhonotype free?
iPhonotype is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ForestIN free?
ForestIN is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do iPhonotype or ForestIN have ads?
Neither iPhonotype nor ForestIN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iPhonotype or ForestIN?
iPhonotype ships an update fortnightly, and ForestIN every 6 days. Most recently, iPhonotype was updated on September 19, 2026 and ForestIN on September 15, 2026.

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