Imagine you’re out in the wilderness, surrounded by nature. You spot an incredible bird perched on a branch or a mysterious insect crawling on a leaf. Your curiosity is piqued, and you want to know more about these fascinating creatures. This is where the animal identifier apps come to your rescue.
In this digital age, we have the power to instantly satisfy our curiosity about the natural world around us. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just someone with an interest for wildlife, these apps can turn your smartphone into a powerful tool for identifying and learning about animals.
Created by the same developers, both iNaturalist & Seek by iNaturalist provide a unique and collaborative way to explore & identify animals and the natural world around you. Since the apps are very similar, we’ve combined them into one item on this list. However, you can use each of them independently.
9.6 / 10
Being not-for-profit apps, iNaturalist as well as Seek by iNaturalist are completely free without any hidden costs or premium versions!
iNaturalist and Seek are available on both Android and iOS devices, so no matter which smartphone you prefer, you can embark on your wildlife adventures.. Moreover, iNaturalist is also available on the web.
35+ languages. This app supports a broad range of languages, making it accessible to users worldwide. Whether you speak English, Spanish, French, German, or another language.
Both, iNaturalist & Seek by iNaturalist offer a collaborative approach to species identification. Users can upload photos of animals, plants, insects, or other organisms they encounter in nature. The community of naturalists and experts then helps identify the species. It’s a fascinating way to contribute to citizen science while expanding your knowledge of the natural world. In fact, iNaturalist is also one of the best plant identification apps.
All of this makes both of these apps one of the best animal identifier apps available on the market.
While not standalone plant identification apps, Google Lens and the iPhone Camera, are powerful tools that can be harnessed for animal identification purposes. They provide users with a convenient and integrated way to explore and identify the world of animals.
Google Lens is integrated into the Google app and is available on both Android and iOS devices, while the iPhone Camera is a built-in feature on all Apple iPhones. There’s no separate download required for these tools, which is the biggest advantage that these tools have over the other animal identification apps!
9.1 / 10
Free! Both Google Lens and the iPhone Camera are available for free as integrated features of your smartphone. You don’t need to pay anything extra to use them for plant identification.
Google Lens is available on both Android and iOS devices, making it accessible to a wide range of users. The iPhone Camera, as a built-in feature, is exclusive to Apple iPhones.
All! Google Lens offers support for basically all languages, ensuring a global user base can comfortably use the feature. The iPhone Camera, as part of the iOS system, is also available in all languages.
Google Lens and the iPhone Camera use image recognition technology to identify animals and provide information about them. Here’s how they work:
EarthSnap proved itself as a strong contender during our test, being the first dedicated plant and animal identifier app in this list. While not perfect, it offers a reliable way to identify the animals you encounter on your adventures. Plus, EarthSnap is not only about animals, as it helps you identify flowers as well.
8.9 / 10
EarthSnap is 100% free to use. They do have a premium version, which comes at a cost of around $6 per month depending on the subscription. Though, it is not required to use the app. You can use EarthSnap for identifying plants and any forms of animals for free.
EarthSnap is available on both Android and iOS devices, ensuring that no matter your smartphone preference, you can tap into its capabilities.
English only.
Navigating EarthSnap is incredibly straightforward. All it takes is a quick snapshot of the plant, animal or insect in question. And then you can sit back and watch as the app employs its sophisticated algorithms and extensive database to swiftly furnish you with a wealth of background details regarding the specific species you’ve captured. In essence, EarthSnap transforms your smartphone into a virtual biologist, delivering instant insights into the natural world around you, making it an invaluable companion for any nature enthusiast.
ObsIdentify is a precise and user-friendly animal identifier app that allows you to easily identify insects & bugs. Capture a photo of wildlife, and it swiftly provides accurate identifications. Engage with a nature-loving community and enhance your connection to the natural world.
8.5 / 10
ObsIdentify is free! There are no hidden costs or premium versions.
ObsIdentify is available on both Android and iOS devices, as well as on the web.
English, German, Dutch, Spanish, French
ObsIdentify simplifies wildlife identification with a snap. Just take a clear photo of the animal or plant, and the app’s advanced algorithms quickly provide precise identifications. You’ll discover the species name and learn more about it. Plus, ObsIdentify connects you with a community of nature enthusiasts for sharing and learning. It’s your key to a deeper connection with the natural world.
Merlin Bird ID is your go-to app for avian adventures. Whether you’re an amateur bird-watcher or a seasoned ornithologist, its precise identifications and rich bird-related content make it an indispensable tool for exploring the world of feathered creatures.
8.2 / 10
Merlin Bird ID is free! There are no hidden costs or premium versions.
Merlin Bird ID is available on both Android and iOS devices.
15+ languages. Merlin Bird ID supports multiple languages, making it accessible to bird enthusiasts around the globe.
Using Merlin Bird ID is straightforward. Simply take a photo of the bird you want to identify, or answer a few questions about its features and behavior. The app’s expertly crafted algorithms will swiftly provide you with accurate information about the bird’s species.
PictureThis is your biological buddy, aiding you in unraveling the mysteries of the animal world. Whether you want to recognize an animal or simply identify trees around you, this app’s precise identifications and educational resources make it an invaluable tool for exploring the world of animals.
8.0 / 10
PictureThis essentially provides a free version with advanced plant identification tools. However, the folowing premium versions available.
PictureThis is available on iOS and Android.
30+ languages. Regardless of whether you speak English, Spanish, French, or another language, you can comfortably navigate and utilize the app.
Using PictureThis is easy and effective. Simply capture a clear photo of an animal with your smartphone’s camera, and PictureThis’ algorithms will swiftly analyze it. You’ll receive in-detail information about the animal, including its species, how to care for it, and other interesting facts.
Using Google Reverse Image Search is straightforward. Upload an image or provide a URL to an image, and Google’s search algorithms will scour the web for visually similar images and related web content. While not specialized for wildlife, it can sometimes provide information about species based on the images it finds.
7.5 / 10
Free! You can access Google Reverse Image Search without any additional cost.
Google Reverse Image Search is a web-based tool, meaning you can use it on any device with internet access and a web browser. It’s not limited to specific operating systems.
Google Search supports a multitude of languages, ensuring accessibility to users worldwide.
Using Google Reverse Image Search is straightforward. Upload an image or provide a URL to an image, and Google’s search algorithms will scour the web for visually similar images and related web content. While not specialized for wildlife, it can sometimes provide information about species based on the images it finds.
| App Name | EcoCation Test Score | Pricing | Supported Platforms | Supported Languages | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iNaturalist & Seek by iNaturalist | 9.6 | Free | Android, iOS, Web | 35+ languages | Comprehensive identification, active community, free of charge. | Identifications may take longer, rely on community contributions. |
| Google Lens & iPhone Camera | 9.1 | Free | Android, iOS | All languages | Convenient and readily available, integrated into smartphones. | May not provide detailed info, accuracy varies with image quality. |
| EarthSnap | 8.9 | Free with Pro option | Android, iOS | English | Reliable identification, offline mode, educational. | Pro version requires a subscription, learning curve for some. |
| ObsIdentify | 8.5 | Free | Android, iOS, Web | Multiple languages | Accurate identifications, user-friendly, community engagement. | Requires an internet connection for real-time identifications. |
| Merlin Bird ID | 8.2 | Free | Android, iOS | 15+ languages | Tailored for birders, extensive database, educational. | Specialized for avian identification, lacks community features. |
| PictureThis | 8.0 | Free with premium options | iOS, Android | 30+ languages | Accurate identification, user-friendly, educational. | Premium features locked behind a subscription, internet required. |
| Google Reverse Image Search | 7.5 | Free | Web-based (all devices) | Multilingual support | Versatile, easy access, vast web index for matching. | Not specialized for wildlife, results vary with image quality. |
Yes, there are several apps designed to identify animals. Animal identifier apps use image recognition technology to analyze photos of animals and provide information about the species. For example, EarthSnap offers a reliable way to identify the animals you encounter on your adventures.
Yes, Google (Google Lens) can identify animals from pictures using image recognition. You can open the Google app, tap the Lens icon, and point your camera at an animal to get information about it.
iPhones can identify animals using the iPhone Camera’s image recognition feature. After taking a photo of an animal, you can tap on the image in your Photos app, select “Edit,” and then tap “More” to see details about the animal if it’s recognized.
One of the best free animal identifier apps is iNaturalist. It allows users to upload photos of animals and get identifications from a community of naturalists and experts.
To identify an animal, you can take a clear photo and use an animal identifier app like iNaturalist, Seek, or PictureThis. These apps use image recognition technology to provide animal identifications.
Websites like iNaturalist and Google Reverse Image Search can help identify animals online. You can upload an image to these platforms, and they will analyze it to provide information about the animal.
To search for animals by image online, you can use a reverse image search tool like Google Lens. Upload the picture of the animal, and the tool will find visually similar images and related web content.
Animal identification methods include using apps like iNaturalist and EarthSnap, image recognition, field guides, consulting experts, and online resources to determine the species of an animal.
Yes, PictureThis is an app that identifies animals and plants. It allows you to take a photo of an animal, and the app’s algorithms will swiftly analyze it to provide an identification and other relevant information.
Yes, the iPhone Camera app can detect animals in photos using image recognition. After taking a photo of an animal, you can access details about it if it’s recognized within the Photos app.
Apple Photos does not have built-in animal identification capabilities. To identify animals in photos, you would need to use third-party apps or services, such as ObsIdentify, that offer this functionality.
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