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Best Naturalist Apps

248+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.3 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated August 2026

Finding the right naturalist apps can be overwhelming with so many options. We've analyzed 248+ apps to bring you the best choices for 2026, from free options to premium solutions with advanced features.

Compare top Naturalist Apps (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1iNaturalistiNaturalistFree4.0★ (621)NoNoAug 2026
2iNaturalist ClassiciNaturalist ClassicFree4.6★ (4.7K)NoNoAug 2026
3Seek by iNaturalistSeek by iNaturalistFree4.8★ (31K)NoNoAug 2026
4Merlin Bird ID by Cornell LabMerlin Bird ID by Cornell LabFree4.9★ (111K)NoNoAug 2026
5NaturaListNaturaListFree—NoYesMay 2026
6PictureThis - Plant IdentifierPictureThis - Plant IdentifierFree4.8★ (1.1M)NoYesAug 2026
7Audubon Bird GuideAudubon Bird GuideFree4.3★ (4.5K)YesNoAug 2026
8PlantNetPlantNetFree4.6★ (7K)NoNoAug 2026

Top Picks for Naturalist

iNaturalist#1

iNaturalist by iNaturalist

Discover nature around you
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.0😐(621 ratings)
Free
#49in 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

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 Naturalist apps to explore

4
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
(111K)
free with in-app purchases
5
NaturaList
NaturaList
NaturaList
by Biolovision Sàrl
Free

Easily record nature sightings with detailed information and precise GPS locations. Contribute to conservation efforts and science by sharing your observations with a global network of partner databases. View recent sightings in your area and discover rare species.

Record sightings with GPSContribute to nature conservationView recent sightings nearby
📊 Productivity
(0)
free with in-app purchases
6
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
7
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
8
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
9
WeNaturalists
WeNaturalists
WeNaturalists
Ecosystem for Nature Lovers
Free
🌐 Social Networking
(0)
10
AnimalDex: Animal ID & Collect
AnimalDex: Animal ID & Collect
AnimalDex: Animal ID & Collect
Identify & collect animals
Free
📚 Education
(0)
11
NaturaList: AI Grocery List
NaturaList: AI Grocery List
NaturaList: AI Grocery List
by Sensory AV LLC
Free
🍔 Food & Drink
(0)
12
Wildr Places
Wildr Places
Wildr Places
Healthier more natural yards
Free

Discover native plants tailored to your location and transform your outdoor space into a wildlife haven. Get personalized recommendations, track your progress with a unique score, and learn how to support local ecosystems.

Personalized native plant recommendationsWildr Score for outdoor space healthStep-by-step wildlife transformation plan
📚 Education
(31)
free
13
Rock identifier: Find GemStone
Rock identifier: Find GemStone
Rock identifier: Find GemStone
Mineral, Crystal Value Scanner
Free

Identify stones, minerals, and crystals using your phone's camera. Upload a photo to learn the likely name, category, and approximate value of your find. Perfect for collectors and curious explorers.

Identify stones, minerals, and crystalsLearn name and categoryExplore visual characteristics
🔍 Reference
(3)
free
14
Texas Master Naturalist
Texas Master Naturalist
Texas Master Naturalist
by Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Free

Access sessions, vote in contests, and network with others at the Annual Meeting of the Texas Master Naturalist Program. This app helps speakers and attendees navigate the event effortlessly, providing a seamless experience on your mobile device or desktop.

Access meeting sessionsContest votingNetworking opportunities
💼 Business
(3)
free
15
Patagonia Outdoor
Patagonia Outdoor
Patagonia Outdoor
by Cursor
Free

Discover the flora and fauna of Torres del Paine. This app helps you identify species and locate them within specific park sectors, enhancing your outdoor exploration experience.

Flora and fauna identificationSpecies location mappingTorres del Paine specific content
📷 Photo & Video
(2)
free
16
Hi, Tree
Hi, Tree
Hi, Tree
Spot it. Name it. It's yours.
Free

Discover and name trees in your community, creating a shared map of personal arboreal landmarks. Use AI to learn about species, age, and history. Track your collection and engage with other nature enthusiasts.

Photograph and claim treesName and pin trees on a mapBuild a personal tree collection
🌟 Lifestyle
(92)
ad-supported
17
Fieldguide – for everything
Fieldguide – for everything
Fieldguide – for everything
by Change Theory Corp
Free

This app helps you identify species from your nature photos and record your observations. It automatically updates your records with taxonomic changes and allows you to share your collection data with a community of enthusiasts.

Species identification from photosAutomatic record updatesDynamic observation checklists
📚 Education
(12)
free
18
Whats That??
Whats That??
Whats That??
by Letsap Business Solutions cc
Free

This app allows users to upload photos or short videos for community-based identification. Specialists and enthusiasts can earn revenue by accurately identifying submitted content, while users receive quick and precise answers.

Upload photos or short videosCommunity-based identificationRevenue sharing for identifiers
📷 Photo & Video
(6)
free
19
TerraScan: AI companion
TerraScan: AI companion
TerraScan: AI companion
Identify Plants, Birds & Rocks
Free

Instantly identify plants, birds, and rocks using your phone's camera. Get expert tips for plant care, learn about minerals, and discover wildlife information. Explore nature's secrets with AI-powered analysis.

Instant photo identificationAI-powered plant care tipsRock and mineral information
📚 Education
(8)
free with in-app purchases
20
Outdoor Afro
Outdoor Afro
Outdoor Afro
Inspiring Nature Connections
Free

Discover local nature spots, trails, and destinations for various activities. Connect with Black nature leaders and enthusiasts, join guided experiences, and find vetted locations for recreation and wellness. Earn rewards for your outdoor adventures.

Discover local nature spots and trailsJoin expert-guided adventuresNavigate with GPS maps
🌟 Lifestyle
(385)
free

FAQ about Naturalist

What are the best naturalist apps for iPhone?
iNaturalist tops our naturalist apps ranking as of August 2026, with a 4.0-star average from 621 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top naturalist 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 248+ naturalist 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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