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Best Inaturalist Apps

249+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated August 2026

The best inaturalist apps on iPhone average 4.7★ across 249+ titles — we've ranked them by what real users actually keep on their phones. Updated August 2026.

Compare top Inaturalist Apps (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1iNaturalistiNaturalistFree4.0★ (591)NoNoAug 2026
2iNaturalist ClassiciNaturalist ClassicFree4.6★ (4.7K)NoNoAug 2026
3Seek by iNaturalistSeek by iNaturalistFree4.8★ (31K)NoNoAug 2026
4PictureThis - Plant IdentifierPictureThis - Plant IdentifierFree4.8★ (1.1M)NoYesAug 2026
5Merlin Bird ID by Cornell LabMerlin Bird ID by Cornell LabFree4.9★ (109K)NoNoAug 2026
6PlantNetPlantNetFree4.6★ (7K)NoNoAug 2026
7Rock Identifier: Stone IDRock Identifier: Stone IDFree4.7★ (77K)NoYesAug 2026
8Picture Mushroom: IdentifierPicture Mushroom: IdentifierFree4.7★ (24K)NoYesAug 2026

Top Picks for Inaturalist

iNaturalist#1

iNaturalist by iNaturalist

Discover nature around you
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.0😐(591 ratings)
Free
#92in Education
iNaturalist screenshot 1
iNaturalist screenshot 2
iNaturalist screenshot 3
iNaturalist screenshot 4
iNaturalist screenshot 5
iNaturalist screenshot 6

Identify plants, animals, and fungi using your camera or imported photos. Get AI-powered species suggestions and connect with a global community of nature enthusiasts to learn more about the natural world and contribute to scientific conservation efforts.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Faster and more intuitive UI
  • 👍 Improved features from website
  • 💡 Batch upload and sorting options
  • 🚀 Responsive and smooth performance

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Bugs with observation time and location
  • 🔍 Difficulty finding advanced editing options
  • 🔍 Overly complex UI for basic tasks
iNaturalist Classic#2

iNaturalist Classic by iNaturalist

Connect with Nature
Strong Contender
📚 Education
4.6😊(4.7K ratings)
Free
iNaturalist Classic screenshot 1
iNaturalist Classic screenshot 2

Record and identify species encounters with a simple interface. Contribute to scientific research and learn about biodiversity. Connect with other nature enthusiasts and explore the natural world.

What We Love

  • 👍 Helpful for identifying plants, animals, and fungi
  • 🤝 Supportive community of experts
  • 🌱 Contributes to citizen science and research
  • 🔍 Accurate identification suggestions

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
  • 🔍 Difficulty finding/sorting observations
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns around data sharing
Seek by iNaturalist#3

Seek by iNaturalist by iNaturalist

Identify plants & animals
Worth Considering
📚 Education
4.8😊(31K ratings)
Free
Seek by iNaturalist screenshot 1
Seek by iNaturalist screenshot 2
Seek by iNaturalist screenshot 3
Seek by iNaturalist screenshot 4
Seek by iNaturalist screenshot 5
Seek by iNaturalist screenshot 6

Identify plants, animals, and fungi using your phone's camera. Learn about the organisms around you and earn badges for your discoveries. It's a fun, kid-safe way to explore nature and expand your knowledge of the living world.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Accurate identification
  • 🌳 Helps connect with nature
  • 🎮 Fun and engaging challenges
  • 💰 Free with no ads

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent identification accuracy
  • 🔍 Difficulty focusing camera
  • 🤖 Struggles with small/moving objects

More Inaturalist apps to explore

4
PictureThis - Plant Identifier
PictureThis - Plant Identifier
PictureThis - Plant Identifier
Plant care and identification
Free

Instantly identify millions of plants with high accuracy and receive personalized care advice. Diagnose plant diseases, get watering reminders, and learn about toxic plants to keep your greenery healthy and your family safe.

Plant identificationDisease diagnosis & cureCare tips & reminders
📚 Education
(1.1M)
free with in-app purchases
5
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab
Identify Birds You See & Hear
Free

Easily identify birds by sight or sound using advanced machine learning. Explore birds in your region, track your sightings, and learn about species with photos, sounds, and range maps. This free app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology helps build your birding skills.

Identify birds by photoIdentify birds by soundAnswer simple questions for ID
🔍 Reference
(109K)
free with in-app purchases
6
PlantNet
PlantNet
PlantNet
Plant Identification
Free

Identify plants by taking photos with your smartphone. Contribute to a global citizen science project to understand and preserve plant biodiversity. Recognizes thousands of wild and cultivated species.

Identify plants by photographing themCitizen science project for biodiversitySupports identification of flowering plants, trees, grasses, and more
📚 Education
(7K)
free
7
Rock Identifier: Stone ID
Rock Identifier: Stone ID
Rock Identifier: Stone ID
Gem Mineral Crystal Identifier
Free

Instantly identify rocks, minerals, and gemstones by taking a photo. Access a comprehensive encyclopedia with detailed information on each stone, learn to distinguish real from fake gems, and explore their properties. The app also includes a metal detector and expert consultation.

Photo-based rock identificationStone and crystal encyclopediaReal vs. fake gemstone guide
📚 Education
(77K)
freemium
8
Picture Mushroom: Identifier
Picture Mushroom: Identifier
Picture Mushroom: Identifier
Fungus ID, Guide, Finder & Map
Free

Instantly identify mushrooms with a photo. Get detailed information, learn about toxic varieties, and track your foraging spots. Discover seasonal recommendations and manage your finds.

Fast and accurate mushroom identificationComprehensive mushroom encyclopediaToxic mushroom warnings
📚 Education
(24K)
free with in-app purchases
9
Audubon Bird Guide
Audubon Bird Guide
Audubon Bird Guide
Identify over 800 bird species
Free

Identify North American birds with this comprehensive field guide. Features include a bird ID tool based on observations, detailed species information with photos and audio, and a personal sightings log. Discover nearby birding locations and connect with conservation efforts.

Bird identification toolDetailed species profilesBird song and call audio
🔍 Reference
(4.5K)
free with in-app purchases
10
Picture Insect: Bug Identifier
Picture Insect: Bug Identifier
Picture Insect: Bug Identifier
Spider & Pest Identification
Free

Instantly identify thousands of insect species using AI by simply taking a photo. Access a comprehensive encyclopedia of insects, learn about hazardous bites, and get pest control tips. Record your findings and share them with a community of enthusiasts.

AI insect identification4,000+ species recognitionInsect encyclopedia
📚 Education
(43K)
freemium
11
Plant Identifier: Plantiary
Plant Identifier: Plantiary
Plant Identifier: Plantiary
Ad-free • Plant ID & Care
Free

Identify thousands of plant species, mushrooms, and insects from a single photo. Receive tailored care plans, diagnostic advice for common issues, and custom reminders to ensure your plants thrive. Track your plant's progress with a health journal and access expert tips for successful gardening.

Instant plant recognition from photosEarly-warning pest and disease diagnosticsCustomizable care reminders
📚 Education
(28K)
free with in-app purchases
12
Tree Identifier: Treely
Tree Identifier: Treely
Tree Identifier: Treely
Your Tree & Plant Coach
Free

Instantly identify trees by snapping a photo of their bark, leaves, or branches. Explore thousands of species with a comprehensive guide and create a personal diary of your discoveries. Perfect for nature walks, garden planning, and learning about local flora.

Instant AI-powered tree identificationIdentify bark, leaves, and branchesComprehensive guide to thousands of species
🔍 Reference
(2)
free with in-app purchases
13
Plantips - AI Plant Identifier
Plantips - AI Plant Identifier
Plantips - AI Plant Identifier
Flower ID,Tree ID & Plant ID
Free

Instantly identify plants, flowers, and trees by taking a photo. Get detailed information, care tips, and solutions to plant-related questions. Build a personal digital garden of your favorite discoveries.

Instant plant identification via photoDetailed plant informationPlant care tips and guidance
📚 Education
(6)
free with in-app purchases
14
Bird Sound Identifier Call Id
Bird Sound Identifier Call Id
Bird Sound Identifier Call Id
Song Picture Identification
Free
🔍 Reference
(0)
15
Bug ID: Bug Identifier Αρρ
Bug ID: Bug Identifier Αρρ
Bug ID: Bug Identifier Αρρ
Butterfly. Pest Identification
Free

Instantly identify insects, spiders, and other small creatures with advanced AI photo recognition. Get detailed information, safety guidance, and garden pest insights. Save your discoveries in a personal collection.

Instant insect identification via photoDetailed species information and imagesBite and sting safety guidance
📚 Education
(2)
freemium
16
Bug Bite Identifier App
Bug Bite Identifier App
Bug Bite Identifier App
Identify Butterfly Picture Id
Free

Instantly identify insects and spiders by taking a photo. This AI-powered tool provides accurate bug identification and analysis for your home and garden, helping you understand the creatures around you.

Identify bugs by photo or cameraAccurate bug ID with insect identifierAnalyze arachnids with spider identifier
📚 Education
(1)
subscription
17
Plant Identification Nature ID
Plant Identification Nature ID
Plant Identification Nature ID
AR Design & My Tree Care Guide
Free

Identify plants with augmented reality previews for your garden. Access a comprehensive database for plant care information, including names, habitats, and growth patterns. Design your ideal outdoor space by visualizing plants before you buy.

Augmented reality plant visualizationHome garden design toolComprehensive plant database
🎬 Entertainment
(2)
free with in-app purchases
18
Picture Any Plant & Identify
Picture Any Plant & Identify
Picture Any Plant & Identify
Identify,Diagnose & Care Plant
Free

Instantly identify plants, diagnose diseases, and receive personalized care advice from an AI botanist. This app helps you manage your plant collection, track care history, and set reminders for watering and other tasks.

Instant plant identificationDisease diagnosis and treatmentSmart watering calculator
📚 Education
(1)
free with in-app purchases
19
AI Plant Identifier: Scanner
AI Plant Identifier: Scanner
AI Plant Identifier: Scanner
Care Guide Identification Id
Free

Instantly identify plants, trees, and flowers with AI. Get accurate disease diagnosis and personalized care advice to keep your garden thriving. This tool acts as a virtual plant doctor, offering solutions for common plant issues.

Instant plant identificationDisease diagnosis and treatmentCustom care schedules
📚 Education
(1)
subscription
20
Bug identifier: Picture insect
Bug identifier: Picture insect
Bug identifier: Picture insect
What is this: Camera Scanner
Free

Instantly identify insects using AI by snapping a photo. Learn detailed information about thousands of species, detect harmful pests, and build a personal collection of your discoveries. Ideal for nature enthusiasts, gardeners, and travelers.

AI-powered insect identificationDetailed insect informationPest and parasite detection
🔍 Reference
(3)
freemium

FAQ about Inaturalist

What are the best inaturalist apps for iPhone?
iNaturalist tops our inaturalist apps ranking as of August 2026, with a 4.0-star average from 591 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top inaturalist apps we rank are free to download, including iNaturalist and iNaturalist Classic.
iNaturalist has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 249+ inaturalist apps on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
iNaturalist helps you identify plants, animals, and fungi by using your phone's camera or imported photos. It provides AI-powered species suggestions and connects you with a community of nature lovers to confirm identifications and learn more about the natural world.
Your observations, once reviewed by the community, are shared for scientific research. This data helps scientists understand species distribution, track biodiversity, and inform conservation efforts worldwide.

Related searches

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