Google Lens, based on Google’s advanced image recognition technology, helps you with image searching, QR code scanning, and finding locations or objects. As good as Google Lens is, if you want to try something different or want to avoid Google, try one of these Google Lens alternatives for Android.
Good to know: learn how to use Google Password Manager in Chrome to have Chrome remember your passwords.
Content
- 1. Best for Identifying Plants – PictureThis
- 2. Best for Reverse Image Search – Reverse Image Search Multi
- 3. Best for Identifying Clothes – Pinterest
- 4. Best for Object Identification – Image Analysis Toolset (IAT)
- 5. Best for People with Visual Impairments – TapTapSee
1. Best for Identifying Plants – PictureThis
Price: Free with premium options
If you love plants and want to know everything about them when you come across new ones, PictureThis is the app for you. You can analyze and identify a plant just by pointing your phone’s camera at it or selecting an image from your phone’s gallery.
PictureThis can help if you have plants in your home and need tips on plant care. The app can recognize over 10,000 plant species with an accuracy of 98%.
The premium version of PictureThis unlocks even more features. For instance, you can consult a network of horticulture specialists for in-depth learning about plant care. There is also access to bird and insect identification tools, as well as a library of books on horticulture.
Tip: Google Lens also works as a QR code scanner.
2. Best for Reverse Image Search – Reverse Image Search Multi
Price: Free
If you want a tool to compare the Google results from a reverse image search with alternate browsers, such as Bing or Yandex, try Reverse Image Search – Multi. Maximize your chances of identifying the item in the photo and getting the best results.
You can snap a picture of an item, and upload it from the gallery on your device, or use a web link to start a reverse image search. The best thing about this app is that it enables you to easily find related images in higher resolutions via Yandex.
Reverse Image Search – Multi offers tools to identify text. You can easily copy it to your clipboard and paste it further. The app also has a cropping feature in all search engine tabs to help you do a reverse image search of only a certain section.
Note: if you are curious about how reverse image search works, learn what goes on behind the scenes.
3. Best for Identifying Clothes – Pinterest
Price: Free
Pinterest is an app known for providing you with inspiration in all kinds of areas – including fashion, home decor, recipes, and more. What you may not be aware of is that Pinterest has its own Lens-like feature built in to the app to identify products.
For example, if you stumbled upon a beautiful dress and would like to purchase a similar one, Pinterest helps you find shops that sell it. Use the crop function to select the exact outline of the dress you wish to find, let Pinterest do its magic, then browse through the similar products it identifies.
Another unexpected feature of Pinterest is the ability to create collages. Cut out elements from pins, and stick them together in the Pinterest editor to express your creativity. Alternatively, share multiple looks with someone in one go.
FYI: learn how to create an album in Google Photos and add images to it.
4. Best for Object Identification – Image Analysis Toolset (IAT)
The Image Analysis Toolset (IAT) is a comprehensive object identification tool that comes with a few unique options you may not find anywhere else. The app offers a Realtime Detector option that allows you to simply point the phone’s camera at an object to identify its general category, such as a toy, musical instrument, or computer screen. Alternatively, you can scan images from your phone’s gallery.
The IAT app can show you information related to the image and the objects in the image, such as related labels, links to applicable web pages, and visually similar images (if available). It has a built-in Censorship Risk Meter that gives you details of an image if it can lead to a ban or censorship.
Also featured is the robust Landmark Detector that can help you identify an interesting building you’ve spotted or photographed. There is also a unique Face Insight feature that can determine the emotional state of subjects in a photo. It’s a fun option to experiment with, but it doesn’t always yield accurate results. Other features include a logo identifier, barcode scanner, and colorimeter.
5. Best for People with Visual Impairments – TapTapSee
Price: Free
TapTapSee is an Android app that’s targeted at people who suffer from visual impairments, including blindness. It can’t do most of the advanced things that the other Google Lens alternatives in this list can, such as accurately identify plants or animals by name, but it can describe objects and scenes using basic language.
Point your camera at an object, and the app will display and announce the result. To hear the description, you’ll need to turn on TalkBack in your Android settings by navigating to Settings -> Accessibility -> TalkBack and toggling the switch next to Use TalkBack.
Alternatively, upload images from your phone’s gallery. The descriptions will read like “woman in a black leather jacket,” and not that specific.
Tip: these awesome Google Lens features can make you think twice before switching to an alternative permanently.
If you’re trying to identify an image and not getting an answer, learn whether you’re dealing with an AI-generated image. Similarly, learn about these AI-powered photo editors to greatly enhance your images.
Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.
Alexandra Arici –
Staff Writer
Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.
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