# The Waterbug App vs Xmas Beetle ID Guide

The clearest difference is update cadence: Xmas Beetle ID Guide at every 6 weeks against The Waterbug App's every 9 months. Xmas Beetle ID Guide also leads on iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.0). The Waterbug App's advantage is review sentiment (88% vs 75%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

The Waterbug App ships an update every 9 months, Xmas Beetle ID Guide every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Waterbug App | Xmas Beetle ID Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | **87.5% of reviews** | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 59 MB | 78 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **6.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Michael Sharman](https://appshunter.io/developer/926215556) | [Australian Museum](https://appshunter.io/developer/458262919) |

## What reviewers say

### The Waterbug App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-waterbug-app/id926215557)

Identify freshwater invertebrates found in Australian waterways. Assess the health of rivers, creeks, and wetlands by observing these creatures. Contribute your findings to a national citizen science program.

**Highlights:** Waterbug identification, River health assessment, Citizen science contribution, Data submission, Australian freshwater invertebrates

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Xmas Beetle ID Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xmas-beetle-id-guide/id1180442876)

Explore Australia's Christmas beetles with a comprehensive identification guide. Browse photos, maps, and learn about beetle anatomy and taxonomy. Collect your findings in a digital collection.

**Highlights:** Christmas beetle catalogue, Photos and maps, Digital beetle collection, Beetle anatomy glossary, Taxonomy information

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Waterbug App free?

The Waterbug App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Xmas Beetle ID Guide free?

Xmas Beetle ID Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do The Waterbug App or Xmas Beetle ID Guide have ads?

Neither The Waterbug App nor Xmas Beetle ID Guide shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Waterbug App or Xmas Beetle ID Guide?

The Waterbug App ships an update every 9 months, and Xmas Beetle ID Guide every 6 weeks. Most recently, The Waterbug App was updated on October 10, 2026 and Xmas Beetle ID Guide on October 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*