Looking for the best free plant identification apps? We’ve reviewed all apps available on the market for you. These are our top free favourites for identifying plants and plant diseases.
Imagine you’re out in nature, curious about the flora around you. Plant identification apps make it a breeze to learn about plants, fostering your love for nature effortlessly. It’s like having a smart botanical encyclopedia in your pocket!
After we have tested more than 50 apps, we came up with this list of the 5 best free plant identification apps. Overall, the winner is PlantSnap. However, this doesn’t mean that this app will be best for you, as each app serves a slightly different purpose.
Quick Overview:
Unless you are a professional, you don’t necessarily need to get a plant ID app. Simly use your iPhone camera (or Google Lens on Android devices) to identify plants for you.
If you are looking for a dedicated 100% free plant ID app, we recommend PlantSnap or LeafSnap for most use-cases.
9.6 / 10
PlantSnap is a plant identifier that leverages advanced image recognition technology to help users identify over 600,000 plant species, including flowers, trees, succulents, mushrooms, and cacti.
PlantSnap’s magic lies in its user-friendly interface and advanced image recognition technology. Simply take a picture of a plant with your smartphone’s camera, and PlantSnap will analyze it within seconds. It then provides you with detailed information about the plant, including its species, habitat, and care instructions. The latest version, PlantSnap 6.0, has enhanced image recognition capabilities, a redesigned user interface, and comprehensive plant care features.
The app has all the features you wish to have when you want to identify a plant, which is why it is the 1st in our list of best free plant identification apps.
PlantSnap offers a free version that provides excellent plant identification capabilities. However, there is also a pro version available for those who want additional features. PlantSnap Pro offers a seven-day free trial, which is very much welcomed and gives you sufficient time to try out the features. Once you commit, its $20 annual cost is highly affordable.
PlantSnap is available on iOS and Android.
PlantSnap supports 37 languages, making it accessible to a global audience
9.1 / 10
LeafSnap is a plant identification app that enables users to identify plant species by capturing photographs of leaves, flowers, fruits, or bark. Developed by a collaboration among the Smithsonian Institution, Columbia University, and the University of Maryland, LeafSnap utilizes visual recognition software to match user-submitted images with a comprehensive database of plant species.
LeafSnap offers both a free version and a premium version. The free version provides solid plant identification features, though it includes occasional advertisements. For users seeking additional functionalities, such as unlimited plant identification, detailed care guides, and an ad-free experience, the premium version is available. The premium pricing options include $4.99 per month, $14.99 for three months, $24.99 for six months, or $25.99 for one year.
Leafsnap is available on iOS and Android.
20+ languages. The app is available in most big languages, like English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, and more.
8.8 / 10
Planta is a (free) plant identification app designed to assist users in identifying and nurturing a wide variety of plants. By leveraging advanced image recognition technology, Planta enables users to capture photos of plants and receive instant identification, along with detailed care instructions.
Planta offers both a free version and a premium subscription. The free version includes basic plant identification and care reminders, while the premium version unlocks additional features such as personalized care schedules, the Dr. Planta diagnostic tool, and a light meter. The premium subscription is priced at $7.99 per month or $35.99 per year, providing a good price-to-quality ratio for those looking for more advanced plant care tools.
Planta is available on iOS and Android.
English, French, German, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk.
iNaturalist and Seek by iNaturalist are two free plant identification apps developed by the same team, each offering unique features for exploring and identifying the natural world.
8.6 / 10
iNaturalist is a comprehensive platform that allows users to document and identify a wide range of organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and more. By uploading photos or audio recordings, users can receive identification suggestions from the community and the app’s AI-powered identification tool. This collaborative approach not only aids in personal learning but also contributes valuable data to global biodiversity databases.
Seek is designed for users seeking a quick and easy way to identify organisms without the need for account creation. It utilizes image recognition technology to provide instant identification suggestions for plants, animals, and fungi. Seek is particularly user-friendly for families and individuals new to nature exploration.
Both iNaturalist and Seek by iNaturalist are completely free to use. There are no hidden costs, in-app purchases, or premium versions. This makes both apps accessible to a wide range of users, including those interested in nature exploration, education, and citizen science without the need for financial commitment.
Both iNaturalsit & Seek by iNaturalist are available on iOS and Android. 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 plants, animals, 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.
And the cool thing is that iNaturalist is not limited to plant identification but that it can identify bugs and insects as well, making it a good tool for fighting a plant’s pests & diseases.
All of this makes both of these apps one of the best free plant identification apps available on the market.
However, while both apps share the same identification engine, Seek by iNaturalist offers a more user-friendly experience, especially for beginners.
On one hand, Seek gamifies the identification process, making it engaging for all ages. It provides AI suggested plant information based on live video footage and is designed for those who want a quicker answer, or don’t want to make an account, or want something good for kids.
On the other hand, iNaturalist provides a more in-depth community-driven approach and is favored by experienced naturalists. iNaturalist is more complicated. It has both an app and a website. The app is more simplified, and is focused on adding new observations to the iNaturalist database.
8.5 / 10
PlantNet is a free plant identifier free that enables users to identify plant species by capturing photographs with their smartphones. It serves as a valuable tool for both casual plant enthusiasts and researchers, contributing to a global citizen science project aimed at enhancing the understanding of plant biodiversity.
To use PlantNet, take a clear photograph of the plant you wish to identify. The app’s advanced algorithms analyze the image and provide a list of possible plant species matches, along with confidence scores for each suggestion. Users can then browse through the suggestions to find the most accurate identification. The app also allows users to filter recognized species by genus or family, enhancing the identification process.
PlantNet is entirely free to use, offering comprehensive plant identification features without any advertisements or in-app purchases.
PlantNet is available on iOS and Android, as well as on the web.
PlantNet supports over 45 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, and many others, accommodating a diverse global user base.
Did you know you already have a free plant identifier integrated in your phone?
While not standalone plant identification apps, Google Lens and the iPhone Camera, are powerful tools that can be harnessed for plant identification purposes. They provide users with a convenient and integrated way to explore and identify the world of plants.
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 plant identification apps!
6.5 / 10
100% 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 plants and provide information about them. Here’s how they work:
| Plant ID App | Score | Pricing | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. PlantSnap | 9.6 | Free (Pro: $20/year) | – Fast identification 600,000+ species – User-friendly – Care instructions | – Free version limits daily identifications – Requires internet – Paid features |
| 2. Leafsnap | 9.1 | Free (Premium: $4.99/month) | – Precise identification – Rich plant database – Educational tool | – Premium features behind paywall – Occasional misidentifications – Requires internet |
| 3. Planta | 8.8 | Free (Premium: $7.99/month) | – Accurate ID – Personalized care reminders – Intuitive interface Community | – Premium features behind paywall – Requires internet |
| 4. iNaturalist & Seek | 8.6 | Free | – Community-driven – Broad biodiversity – Educational – Free to use | – Slower plant ID – Relies on community – Identification speed varies |
| 5. PlantNet | 8.5 | Free | – Accurate identification – Extensive database – User-friendly Free | – Advanced features require taxonomy knowledge – Requires internet |
| 6. Google Lens & iPhone Camera | 6.5 | Free | – Integrated into smartphones – User-friendly – No app download needed | – Less detailed info – Accuracy can vary – Limited features compared to other plant ID apps |
Once you identified your plant, use a plant care app to keep it healthy.
The top plant identification apps include PlantSnap for its accuracy, iNaturalist for its community-driven identification, and PlantNet for its vast plant database.
Plant identifiers are valuable for nature enthusiasts, making it easier to learn about plants, fostering a deeper appreciation for nature. However, for identifiying a plant “just” once, the solutions integrated into smartphone cameras (like Google Lens) are working just as good.
Plant identifier apps are generally reliable, but accuracy can vary based on factors like database size and user reviews.
PlantSnap offers a free version with the option to upgrade to a premium version for additional features.
PlantNet is a free plant identification app available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Yes, there are free plant care apps that provide guidance on plant care and maintenance. For example, Planta is such an app.
Yes, there are free plant identifier apps available for iPhone users. But don’t forget that your iPhone’s camera can identify plants as well, so you might not even have to download a separate app.
iPhones support various plant identifier apps, providing users with plant recognition capabilities. Tip: Your iPhone’s camera can identify plants as well, so won’t even have to download a separate app.
Some plant apps, such as Plantix or Garden Answers offer free features for identifying plant problems and diseases.
There are several 100% free plant identification apps that provide accurate plant recognition. Out of the ones we tested, PlantSnap has proven to be the best free plant identification app.
PlantSnap is the best free plant identification apps available for iPhone users.
iPhones can either use their own camera or plant identification apps to recognize plants from photos.
Plant identification (using Visual Look Ups) is available on iPhone models that are using iOS 15 or newer.
Google Lens can identify plants from pictures, making it a useful tool for plant enthusiasts.
You can take pictures with your phone and use plant identification apps to recognize plants.
Google Lens is a free service integrated into the Google app, offering plant identification among its features.
Numerous websites and apps allow you to identify plants by uploading pictures online for free.
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