PictureThis vs Seek by iNaturalist:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, PictureThis had more branded searches than Seek by iNaturalist among plant identification apps worldwide. PictureThis had about 49,500 branded searches, while Seek by iNaturalist had 3,600. PictureThis made up 46.5% of all plant identification app searches we track, and Seek by iNaturalist accounted for 3.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about plant identification apps, PictureThis appeared in all five answers and Seek by iNaturalist in three. PictureThis was mentioned before Seek by iNaturalist in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
PictureThis, about 14 searches for every 1 for Seek by iNaturalist
Who does AI mention more?
PictureThis, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
PictureThis, named ahead of Seek by iNaturalist in every answer
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Top plant identification apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, PictureThis appeared in all five answers. Seek by iNaturalist was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. PictureThis was listed before Seek by iNaturalist in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- PictureThis5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- PlantNet3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Seek by iNaturalist3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Pl@ntNet2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Blossom0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Planta0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
PlantSnap0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
LeafSnap0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about plant identification apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which plant identification app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best plant identification apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best plant identification app for identify garden plants?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“plant identification apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best plant id app”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is PictureThis or Seek by iNaturalist more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for PictureThis and Seek by iNaturalist by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight plant identification apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for PictureThis, Seek by iNaturalist. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | PictureThis | PlantNet | Pl@ntNet | Seek by iNaturalist | Blossom | Planta | PlantSnap | LeafSnap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 51.2% | 34.3% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 4.6% | 1.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 51.6% | 34.5% | 3.1% | 2% | 2% | 1.3% | 3.8% | 1.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 65.3% | 23.9% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 2.6% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 59% | 26.4% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2.9% | 1.5% | 2.9% | 1.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 55.2% | 30.2% | 3.3% | 1.7% | 4% | 1.7% | 2.6% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 50.8% | 34% | 3.7% | 3% | 3% | 1.6% | 2.5% | 1.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 46.7% | 38.2% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 2.3% | 1.5% |
| May 2026 | 47.6% | 38.9% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 53.3% | 35.6% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 56.5% | 30.9% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 58.6% | 26.2% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1% |
| Sep 2026 | 46.5% | 38.1% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.2% |
How has the PictureThis and Seek by iNaturalist comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- PictureThis was ahead of Seek by iNaturalist in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PictureThis’ share of searches among plant identification apps worldwide moved from 51.2% to 46.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Seek by iNaturalist’s share of searches among plant identification apps worldwide moved from 2.5% to 3.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.4K to 3.6K.
How did search popularity change for plant identification apps worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, PictureThis lost share of searches among plant identification apps worldwide, from 58.6% to 46.5%.
In September 2026, Seek by iNaturalist lost share of searches among plant identification apps worldwide, from 4.3% to 3.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using PictureThis’ and Seek by iNaturalist’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
PictureThis
1 branded search term
- picturethis
Seek by iNaturalist
1 branded search term
- seek by inaturalist
Other head-to-heads among plant identification apps
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