Is iNaturalist Free? Are there any subscription costs to use it?

Modified on Wed, 8 May at 5:02 PM

iNaturalist and Seek by iNaturalist are both completely free to use. We don't charge any fees to download our mobile apps, and there are no subscriptions or other paywalls required to use iNaturalist. 


Careful! It's easy to download a commercial app by mistake when searching for iNaturalist or Seek by iNaturalist because these apps advertise on searches for iNaturalist. If you are charged by one of these other apps, you will have to contact them directly about any payments you may have sent them.


Below are basically the only ways iNaturalist accepts payments from its users.

  • iNaturalist is a nonprofit organization and we accept donations via Donorbox here. If you would like to amend or cancel your donations, please log in to your Donorbox account.

  • iNaturalist maintains an official merchandise store on Threadless. If you purchase an item there, you will see a charge from Threadless, not iNaturalist.

  • If you are a parent or guardian for someone under 13 years of age and you are making a child account for them as required by law, iNaturalist requires a US$1 charge via debit or credit card to prove you are an adult. That donation can be reimbursed, please contact us to make that request.

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