Research institutes and commercial providers are competing in the development of plant identification apps. There are six free apps that we tested for both Android and iOS. These apps include Flora Incognita, iNaturalist, Naturblick, Pl@ntNet, PictureThis, and Plantura.
Flora Incognita not only identifies plants but also provides information on nature topics through magazine articles. iNaturalist and Naturblick specialize in identifying birds based on sound recordings, with Naturblick focusing on urban areas. Pl@ntNet primarily uses scientific plant names, while PictureThis and Plantura cater to home gardeners and help with indoor plant diseases.
These apps offer curated information about various plants, surpassing the capabilities of Google Lens. Subscribing to c’t offers access to exclusive tests, guides, and background information on IT and technology. The digital subscription costs €9.95 per month, with the first month available for free. Magazine subscribers enjoy even lower prices.
In conclusion, these six apps provide a convenient way to identify plants using a smartphone. Each app has its own strengths and focuses, catering to different user needs. For more detailed information and individual reviews, refer to the article in c’t magazine issue 17/2023.
