Gotcha vs WildDex
Updated October 1, 2026. By Jurre de Ruiter, who makes Gotcha.
We make Gotcha, so weigh our view of it accordingly. Everything said about WildDex here comes from its own website or store listing as of October 1, 2026, and prices are described rather than quoted because they change.
Side by side
| Gotcha | WildDex | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iPhone and Android | iPhone |
| What you collect | 2,225 animal species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, spiders) | 1,000+ species |
| What you do with a catch | Rarity from common to legendary, stickers cut from your own photos, and a zoo you build where your catches live and draw visitors. Eight leagues, a seasonal Zoo Pass, friends and clubs | XP by rarity, from common to mythical, a map of your finds and a social feed |
| Battles | No | No |
| Cost | Free to play. Optional Gotcha+ subscription with a free trial. | Free to start, then a subscription |
| Best for | A long-term collection game where every catch builds something | iPhone users who want a lightweight dex with a map |
What WildDex does better
- A simple, focused dex without a second game on top.
- A social feed of what other people are finding.
What Gotcha does better
- Your catches build something. Every animal moves into a zoo you design, with habitats, paths, landmarks and visitors who pay to see it.
- Stickers cut from your own photos, so your collection is your photography rather than stock art.
- A fixed index of 2,225 animal species with five rarity tiers, so there is always a clear next target and a legendary worth bragging about.
- Free to play on iPhone and Android, with backup to your account so a new phone keeps your collection.
- Available in 44 languages.
About each app
Gotcha
Gotcha turns a photo of a real animal into a collectible. The app cuts the animal out of your shot, names the species, grades it from common to legendary, and files it in an index of 2,225 species. Since version 2.0 the animals you catch move into a zoo you build and run. It is available in 44 languages.
WildDex
WildDex lets you scan animals to add them to a personal dex, earns you XP by rarity, and shows your finds on a map with a social feed. It is on iPhone. wilddex.net
Questions people ask
Is Gotcha better than WildDex?
They are built for different people. WildDex is best for iPhone users who want a lightweight dex with a map. Gotcha is best for a long-term collection game: 2,225 animal species graded from common to legendary, stickers cut from your own photos, and a zoo your catches move into.
Is Gotcha free like WildDex?
Gotcha is free to play on iPhone and Android, with an optional Gotcha+ subscription that removes the daily catch limit. WildDex: free to start, then a subscription.
Can I use Gotcha and WildDex together?
Yes. Nothing stops you photographing the same animal for both. Plenty of people use a field guide or a battle game alongside Gotcha, which is the one where the catch ends up living in a zoo you built.
Looking at more than two apps? The full guide to real-life animal collecting apps compares Gotcha with 9 others.