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Picture Insect

An app that identifies bugs and spiders from a photo.

Identify anythingInsects and bugsFree planFree trial+1 more
Get Picture InsectBuild your own plant appFree plan

What Picture Insect does

Picture Insect identifies insects, spiders and other bugs from a photo. It covers thousands of species, with an encyclopedia, pest tips and info on insects known for bites. The free version is limited, and Premium adds unlimited IDs and answers from entomologists.

Bug and spider ID from a photo
4,000+ species, per the store listing
Insect encyclopedia
Pest ID and control tips
Personal collection you can share

Found something with too many legs on the windowsill? Picture Insect is built for that moment. Snap or upload a photo and it suggests what the insect or spider is, with photos and facts to compare. The store listing says it covers more than 4,000 species.

Each result links to an encyclopedia page, and the app adds pest tips for bugs you might find in the house or garden, plus info on insects known for bites, like some spiders, mosquitoes and ants. You can save finds to a collection and share them with friends.

In a 2024 comparison, Picture Insect got most species right but trailed ObsIdentify, and the tester noted frequent upgrade prompts. Premium adds unlimited IDs and expert answers. Use it to learn what a bug is, never as a sign that it's safe to touch or handle.

Alternatives to Picture Insect

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iNaturalistShare nature photos and get IDs from AI and a real community
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BirdNET LiveReal-time, offline sound ID for birds and other wildlife
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ObsIdentifyFree wildlife ID for Europe, from wildflowers to moths
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PictureThisSnap a plant and get its name, care tips and a health check
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PlantaA smart plant care schedule built around your home
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Free, paid from $7.99/moFree plan
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Who it's for

Homeowners wondering what's crawling in the house
Gardeners checking for pests

Skip it if: Anyone who wants a fully free app.

Pricing

Free plan
Free, paid from $5.99/mo

Free to use with limits. Premium adds unlimited IDs and expert answers. The App Store lists $5.99 a month, $14.99 for a quarter, or $39.99 a year with a 7-day free trial.

Prices can vary by country. Checked 19 Oct 2026.

What people like

  • Quick, simple bug ID
  • Covers spiders and pests, not just pretty insects
  • Encyclopedia pages to learn more

Watch out for

  • Frequent prompts to upgrade
  • Free version is limited
  • Missed more species than ObsIdentify in one test

Want a bug log for your own garden? Build your own.

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Try this idea: “a simple app where I photograph bugs in my garden and keep a list of what I found and when”

Questions people ask

Is Picture Insect free?

You can use it for free with limits. Premium is a paid subscription, from $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year with a 7-day trial.

Can Picture Insect identify spiders?

Yes. It identifies spiders as well as insects like butterflies, moths and beetles.

Can it tell me if a bug is dangerous?

It shares general info about insects known for bites, but an ID is never a safety check. Don't handle a bug just because an app named it.

Does Picture Insect work on Android?

Yes. It's on both the App Store and Google Play.