Comparison

Make a Bonsai vs Forest Tree Identifier

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

Head to head
About

Make a Bonsai

Design and cultivate your own virtual bonsai tree from an infinite variety of species and starting points. Experiment with trimming techniques, learn about bonsai history, and even visit real bonsai gardens.

Highlights
  • Create virtual bonsai trees
  • Choose from multiple species
  • Trim branches for unique designs
  • Select pots for display
  • View in virtual collection
  • Learn bonsai tradition facts
Features
Read full description

Make your own virtual bonsai tree! Choose your species: juniper, maple or ficus. Pick from an endless variety of starting trees. Trim branches to create your own individual work of art. Pick the perfect pot, then view it in the virtual collection! There is an infinite variety of trees to start with. No two are ever the same, so your creativity is always challenged anew! Experiment with different styles of trimming, and learn fun facts about the rich, centuries-long bonsai tradition. Best of all, cap off your bonsai experience with a visit to the real bonsai trees at the Ordway Gardens in Como Park, St. Paul, Minnesota!

About

Forest Tree Identifier

Instantly identify trees using their leaves, flowers, bark, or buds with advanced AI. Explore a comprehensive tree list, compare species, and learn detailed information about each tree. Ideal for nature enthusiasts, students, and families exploring the outdoors.

Highlights
  • Identify trees from leaves, flowers, bark, buds, and twigs
  • Use photos or clear images for identification
  • Filter trees by leaf morphology
  • Compare and learn about trees from a comprehensive list
  • Access detailed tree history and location information
  • Choose Christmas trees with filters
Features
Read full description

Identify trees from photos — unlimited & free. You can also identify trees by their leaves, flowers, bark, buds, and twigs, and learn more about them. Filter trees by leaf morphology, regions, or filter flowers by number of petals, color. Database with 160+ countries to discover native trees and flowers. Our tree and flower list lets you view all trees at once, compare them, and learn more about each one. We hope that Forest Tree Identifier helps both kids and adults identify trees, flowers and fruits while walking in parks or forests around the world and enjoy learning through tree and flower trivia. We also hope that Tree Identification helps students understand the distinguishing features of trees and how their characteristics vary across regions and climates. With our Favorites, Collections, and Expedition pages, it’s easy to explore a tree’s history, locations, and much more. Let’s make Forest Tree Identifier better together. Terms of Use: We use Apple’s Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Make a Bonsai4 screens
Forest Tree Identifier4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Forest Tree Identifier at 4.1 against Make a Bonsai's 3.6. Forest Tree Identifier also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 19 months) and ratings volume (818 vs 26). Make a Bonsai's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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. Forest Tree Identifier sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Make a Bonsai asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Forest Tree Identifier holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Forest Tree Identifier has 818 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 55% of Make a Bonsai's written reviews are positive against 23% of Forest Tree Identifier's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Make a Bonsai ships an update every 19 months, Forest Tree Identifier every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Make a Bonsai versus Forest Tree Identifier: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMake a BonsaiForest Tree Identifier
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (26 ratings)4.1 (818 ratings) — better
Positive reviews54.5% of reviews — better22.5% of reviews
Number of ratings26818 — better
Update frequencyEvery 19 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.1 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB186 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBust Out Solutions, Inc.Ersin KAYALI

Customer experience

Make a Bonsai

All ratings26 ratings
Positive65.4%
Neutral11.5%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive54.5%
Neutral18.2%
Negative27.3%

Forest Tree Identifier

All ratings818 ratings
Positive76.4%
Neutral7.1%
Negative16.5%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive22.5%
Neutral10.0%
Negative67.5%

Bugs and requests

Make a Bonsai

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Forest Tree Identifier

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashes or freezes on launch
  • Information under images not fully visible

Requested features

4 requests
  • Regional filtering for tree species
  • Ability to identify trees from photos
  • More comprehensive coverage of North American trees
  • Inclusion of bark and winter identification features

In-app purchases

None

Make a Bonsai

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Forest Tree Identifier

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription$3.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription$5.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Make a Bonsai free?
Make a Bonsai is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Forest Tree Identifier free?
Forest Tree Identifier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Make a Bonsai or Forest Tree Identifier?
Forest Tree Identifier is rated higher. Make a Bonsai averages 3.6 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Forest Tree Identifier averages 4.1 from 818 ratings.
Do Make a Bonsai or Forest Tree Identifier have ads?
Forest Tree Identifier shows ads; Make a Bonsai does not.
Which is updated more often, Make a Bonsai or Forest Tree Identifier?
Make a Bonsai ships an update every 19 months, and Forest Tree Identifier every 6 days. Most recently, Make a Bonsai was updated on October 1, 2026 and Forest Tree Identifier on October 13, 2026.

Other comparisons