Comparison

MacroInvertebrates 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

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.

Highlights
  • Mobile interface for macroinvertebrate database
  • Quick identification of aquatic organisms
  • Updates from online resource
  • User-friendly field interface
  • Educational tool for researchers
Features
Read full description

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.

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

MacroInvertebrates4 screens
Forest Tree Identifier4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

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. MacroInvertebrates asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
MacroInvertebrates versus Forest Tree Identifier: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMacroInvertebratesForest Tree Identifier
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)4.1 (818 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better22.5% of reviews
Number of ratings1818 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB186 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUniversity of VermontErsin KAYALI

Customer experience

MacroInvertebrates

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

Forest Tree Identifier

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

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

None

MacroInvertebrates

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 MacroInvertebrates free?
MacroInvertebrates 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, MacroInvertebrates or Forest Tree Identifier?
Forest Tree Identifier is rated higher. MacroInvertebrates averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Forest Tree Identifier averages 4.1 from 818 ratings.
Do MacroInvertebrates or Forest Tree Identifier have ads?
Forest Tree Identifier shows ads; MacroInvertebrates does not.
Which is updated more often, MacroInvertebrates or Forest Tree Identifier?
MacroInvertebrates ships an update every 8 months, and Forest Tree Identifier every 6 days. Most recently, MacroInvertebrates was updated on October 5, 2026 and Forest Tree Identifier on October 13, 2026.

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