Plant and Insect Identification

There are lists below for apps that are available on both Android and iOS. There are other apps that are available on Android only, or iOS only; they are not listed.  Check the App Store and Google Play for OS specific apps.

Before installing any app, read user comments. Sometimes apps that were free are no longer so, and apps may start using predatory charge practices.

You may find having multiple apps to be useful. If you want a single app for both plant and insect identification, consider Seek by iNaturalist, or better still, the iNaturalist app. But note that identifications may be more general than specific in certain cases. For example, a cabbage white butterfly was identified simply as a garden white by iNaturalist.

Plant Identification Apps and Websites

Here are a few apps and websites that can help you identify plants, flowers, trees, and so forth. All the apps listed are available on both Android and iOS. I currently use both Pl@ntNet and iNaturalist.

• Pl@ntNet – App and website – Has been around for more than 10 years. Can identify a plant from a photo of its leaves, flowers, fruits, bark, habit, or another part. Free and without ads, although they do accept donations.
• Seek by iNaturalist – Can identify plants, fungi, and animal species. Uses data provided by millions of observations collected by iNaturalist and partner sites. Free and without ads. Fewer features than iNaturalist. Needs an internet connection to work.
• iNaturalist – App and also website. More features than Seek by iNaturalist. Free and without ads. You are requested to register, but this can be bypassed if you simply want to identify a plant, fungus, or animal species.
• Google Lens and iPhone Camera – Free to use, although often the top results on Google Lens are links to ads. That is the reason I looked for something better.
• Picture This – App and also website. Can identify houseplants, weeds, trees, herbs. Reviews say it can also identify insects and birds, but the website mentions only plants.  Free plan, and a premium plan with greater functionality. Registration is required.
• LeafSnap – Identifies plants by leaves, flowers, fruits, bark. Free with ads, and premium with additional features and no ads. Newer than apps above so it contains fewer plants.

Insect and Spider Identification Apps and Websites

There are a number of free websites that will help you identify bugs. Most or all require you to upload a photo, and a few may also ask for additional information to aid in the identification. Search for “free insect identifier website” to find them.

Here are a few free apps that can help you identify insects and spiders. All the listed apps are available on both Android and iOS. I currently use both iNaturalist and AI Insect & Bug Identifier App (available on Android only).

• Seek by iNaturalist – Can identify insects and spiders. Also, can identify plants, fungi, and animals. That is why it is also included in the Plant Identification Apps and Websites list. Needs an internet connection to work.
• iNaturalist – App and website. More features than Seek by iNaturalist. Free and without ads. You are requested to register, but this can be bypassed if you simply want to identify a plant, fungus, insect, or animal species.
• Google Lens – Google Lens also requires Google Photos. These general identification apps do not have as extensive a database of insects as dedicated apps, but may be useful if you already have it installed.
• Insect Spider and Bug Identifier – Gives quick identification, but note that you will be pestered frequently to upgrade to the premium version.