Customer Reviews (500)

JuSolPi • 2025-03-21T13:48:58-07:00

Dissatisfied! I almost never get accurate results

SkottB • 2025-03-21T12:55:29-07:00

Yes, in the 4 years I’ve been using this APP I’ve found a couple of mistakes but I was trying to ID a tree just by its bark. Otherwise, this is a great tool identifying wild flowers and plants while on hikes in the woods!

Texas garden • 2025-03-21T05:40:36-07:00

I got charged 1 year subscription while doing the free trial

Summary of Key Insights

PictureThis - Plant Identifier is generally well-received, particularly for its plant identification capabilities. However, significant issues exist regarding billing practices, subscription management, and accuracy in certain scenarios, impacting user satisfaction. The app's strengths lie in its ease of use, plant identification accuracy (for many users), and plant care reminders. Weaknesses include inaccurate identification in specific cases (e.g., fungi, wood, seedlings), aggressive upselling, and difficulties with subscription cancellation leading to unwanted charges. Many users praise the app's ability to help them identify plants and learn about their care, while others express frustration over inaccurate diagnoses and misleading subscription practices.

Overall Sentiment: Mixed. While many users are enthusiastic, a significant portion expresses dissatisfaction due to billing issues and identification inaccuracies.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating (based on score distribution): Approximately 4.0 stars (weighted average).
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 54.8%
    • 4-star: 8%
    • 3-star: 4.4%
    • 2-star: 5.2%
    • 1-star: 27.6%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: The reviews appear to be a mix of recent and older feedback, spanning at least several years.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Categorizing reviews as positive, negative, or neutral based on language used.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identifying frequently mentioned words and phrases related to features, issues, and user experiences.
    • Topic Modeling: Grouping reviews based on common themes (e.g., billing problems, identification accuracy, feature requests).
    • Quantitative Analysis: Calculating star rating averages and distributions.

Key User Pain Points

  • Misleading Subscription Practices: Many users report being charged for a yearly subscription immediately after signing up for a "free trial" without adequate warning or consent. Difficulty canceling subscriptions and obtaining refunds is a recurring theme.
    • Impact: Erodes trust, leads to negative reviews, and potential legal/ethical concerns.
  • Inaccurate Plant Identification: While many users praise the app's identification accuracy, a significant number report inaccurate results, especially with fungi, wood, seedlings, and certain plant varieties.
    • Impact: Reduces the app's utility, diminishes user confidence, and can lead to incorrect plant care.
  • Aggressive Upselling: Frequent prompts to upgrade to the premium version can be intrusive and detract from the user experience.
    • Impact: Creates annoyance and reduces the perceived value of the free version.
  • Inaccurate Plant Health Diagnosis: Some users report that the app provides incorrect or generic diagnoses of plant health issues, leading to ineffective or even harmful care recommendations.
    • Impact: Can lead to plant damage or death, further eroding user trust.
  • Lack of Offline Functionality: The app's reliance on an internet connection limits its usefulness in areas with poor or no connectivity.
    • Impact: Reduces accessibility and usability for users in certain environments.
  • Poor Syncing Between Devices: Users report issues with data not syncing properly between different devices (e.g., iPhone and iPad).
    • Impact: Frustrates users who use the app on multiple devices.
  • Loss of Features Behind Paywall: Users are upset that features previously available in the free version are now only accessible with a paid subscription.
    • Impact: Frustrates long-term users of the app.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved Accuracy: Users desire more accurate plant identification, especially for specific plant varieties, fungi, and seedlings.
  • Offline Functionality: The ability to identify plants and access basic care information without an internet connection.
  • More Detailed Care Information: Users want more specific and actionable care advice, including natural remedies and brand recommendations for products.
  • Improved Organization: Users request better ways to organize and manage their plant collections within the app.
  • Wish List Feature: A feature to save plants they would like to acquire in the future.
  • Wood Grain Identification: A feature to identify types of wood.
  • Ability to Search Plants by Characteristics: Users want to be able to search their plant lists based on characteristics (e.g., low light, repotting needs).
  • Expanded Plant Database: Users want more plant species added to the database.
  • Integration with Other Gardening Tools: Integration with other apps or devices related to gardening.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Ease of Use: Many users find the app easy to use and navigate.
  • Plant Identification Accuracy (in many cases): The app is generally praised for its ability to accurately identify a wide variety of plants.
  • Plant Care Reminders: Users appreciate the app's reminder feature for watering, fertilizing, and other tasks.
  • Large Plant Database: The app's extensive database of plants is a valuable resource for many users.
  • Informative: Users find the app informative and educational, helping them learn about plants and their care.
  • Helpful in New Environments: Users traveling or moving to new locations find the app useful for identifying unfamiliar plants.
  • AR Scan Feature: Users find the AR scan feature engaging and helpful.
  • Insect and Weed Identification: Users appreciate the ability to identify insects and weeds.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Revamp Subscription Practices:
    • Provide clear and upfront pricing information.
    • Implement a monthly subscription option in addition to the annual plan.
    • Send clear reminders before the end of the free trial period and before charging for a subscription.
    • Simplify the cancellation process and ensure timely refunds for unwanted charges.
  • Improve Plant Identification Accuracy:
    • Invest in improving the accuracy of the plant identification algorithm, particularly for fungi, wood, seedlings, and specific plant varieties.
    • Allow users to provide feedback on identification results and correct inaccuracies.
    • Implement a system for verifying and validating plant identifications.
  • Reduce Aggressive Upselling:
    • Reduce the frequency and intrusiveness of upgrade prompts.
    • Offer more value in the free version to encourage users to upgrade voluntarily.

Medium Priority:

  • Enhance Plant Health Diagnosis:
    • Improve the accuracy of plant health diagnoses by incorporating more data and refining the diagnostic algorithms.
    • Provide more specific and actionable care recommendations.
    • Consider offering a free initial diagnosis with limited information.
  • Develop Offline Functionality:
    • Allow users to download a subset of the plant database for offline identification and care information.
  • Improve Data Synchronization:
    • Fix issues with data not syncing properly between different devices.
  • Address Feature Loss Complaints:
    • Re-evaluate the features moved behind the paywall and consider offering some of them in the free version.

Low Priority:

  • Add Requested Features:
    • Implement the requested features, such as a wish list, wood grain identification, and the ability to search plants by characteristics.
  • Improve User Interface:
    • Address any usability issues reported by users, such as small font sizes and confusing navigation.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Specialized Plant Identification Apps: Develop apps focused on specific categories of plants, such as fungi, trees, or weeds, with highly accurate identification algorithms.
  • Personalized Plant Care Services: Offer personalized plant care plans based on individual plant needs, environmental conditions, and user preferences, potentially integrating with smart home devices.
  • Plant Marketplace: Create a platform for buying and selling plants, connecting plant enthusiasts with local nurseries and growers.
  • Educational Plant Games: Develop engaging games that teach users about plants, their care, and their ecological importance.
  • Community-Based Plant Support: Build a platform where users can connect with each other to share plant care tips, ask questions, and get advice from experts.

Trends and Observations

  • Billing Issues Drive Negative Sentiment: A significant portion of negative reviews are related to billing practices, indicating a need for immediate attention.
  • Accuracy is Key: Users value the app's identification accuracy above all else.
  • Desire for Comprehensive Care Information: Users want more than just plant identification; they want guidance on how to care for their plants effectively.
  • Free vs. Paid Feature Balance: There is a tension between offering enough value in the free version to attract users while also incentivizing them to upgrade to the paid version.
  • Language Preference: The majority of reviews are in English, but there's also a notable presence of Spanish reviews ("Me ayuda mucho y no se nada de plantas", "Increíble app para plantas y flores"), suggesting a potential opportunity for localization and targeted marketing.

Conclusion

PictureThis - Plant Identifier has the potential to be a highly valuable tool for plant enthusiasts. However, the app's success is being undermined by misleading subscription practices and inaccuracies in certain areas. By addressing these issues and prioritizing the recommendations outlined above, the developers can significantly improve user satisfaction and increase the app's long-term viability. The key is to focus on building trust with users by being transparent about pricing and delivering accurate and reliable information.

Overall Recommendation: The app needs a serious overhaul of its subscription practices and a focus on improving identification accuracy. Addressing these issues will significantly improve user satisfaction and retention.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/picturethis-plant-identifier/id1252497129?uo=2