MacroInvertebrates vs Forest Tree Identifier
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MacroInvertebrates
This educational tool provides a mobile interface to a comprehensive database of Vermont macroinvertebrates. It aids researchers in the field by offering quick identification of aquatic organisms found in local streams.
- Mobile interface for macroinvertebrate database
- Quick identification of aquatic organisms
- Updates from online resource
- User-friendly field interface
- Educational tool for researchers
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A mobile interface for the Vermont Macroinvertebrate Database - http://wikieducator.org/Rivers/home. The mobile app updates itself with the website on request and has an easy-to-use interface to help researchers in the field quickly identify the macroinvertebrates they might find in a Vermont stream. This was a student project for CS295/CS395 - App Development & Wireless Devices taught by University of Vermont Associate Professor Christian Skalka. The student team consisted of: Elissa Benedetto, Jeremy Gould, My Mai, Lara Nargozian, and Colum Smith. The database was originally created by the VT EPSCoR Center for Workforce Development and Diversity (VT EPSCoR CWDD) to help with the identification of numerous macroinvertebrates in Vermont waterways. The CWDD continues to add to the WikiEducator site, developed by Declan McCabe, Biology Professor at Saint Michael’s College, which has individual pages for streams throughout Vermont to help identify the approximately 10 most common macroinvertebrates found in each stream, representing more than 95% of the organisms one would find in that stream. This resource has been assembled based upon samples taken by Vermont EPSCoR interns and high school participants between 2008 and 2013. Contributors are far too numerous to mention but we wish to acknowledge Brian Cunningham for establishing the initial structure of the tailored web resources in 2009 and Erin Hayes-Pontius for developing the bulk of the content and photographs between 2009 and 2011. Projects, such as this mobile app, help complement the innovation and workforce development efforts of VT EPSCoR and enhance communications outreach. This app is maintained by Steve Exler, Vermont EPSCoR’s Technologist. Support provided by Vermont EPSCoR with funds from the National Science Foundation Grant EPS-1101317. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
MacroInvertebrates and Forest Tree Identifier both sit at 4.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of MacroInvertebrates's written reviews are positive against 23% of Forest Tree Identifier's. MacroInvertebrates also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). Forest Tree Identifier's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (818 vs 1). On price, rating 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
Both are free to download. Forest Tree Identifier sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. MacroInvertebrates asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for MacroInvertebrates against 4.1 for Forest Tree Identifier. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Forest Tree Identifier has 818 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of MacroInvertebrates's written reviews are positive against 23% of Forest Tree Identifier's.
MacroInvertebrates ships an update every 8 months, Forest Tree Identifier every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MacroInvertebrates | Forest Tree Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (1 ratings) | 4.1 (818 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 22.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 818 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 186 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | University of Vermont | Ersin KAYALI |
Customer experience
MacroInvertebrates
Forest Tree Identifier
Bugs and requests
MacroInvertebrates
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
MacroInvertebrates
No in-app purchases
Forest Tree Identifier
- Weekly Subscription$3.997 Days
- Monthly Subscription$5.991 Month
- Annual Subscription$19.991 Year
Questions
Is MacroInvertebrates free?
Is Forest Tree Identifier free?
Which has better reviews, MacroInvertebrates or Forest Tree Identifier?
Do MacroInvertebrates or Forest Tree Identifier have ads?
Which is updated more often, MacroInvertebrates or Forest Tree Identifier?
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