Sphero Edu vs Merge Object Viewer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sphero Edu
This app allows users to learn and create with programmable robots. It offers multiple coding methods, from drawing paths to advanced text-based programming. Educators can manage classes and track student progress, making learning fun and interactive.
- Multiple programming modes (Draw, Block, Text)
- Access sensor data via graphs
- Pre-made STEAM lessons
- Robot driving mode
- Assignment creation for educators
- Google/Clever account integration
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Sphero Edu is your hub to create, contribute, and learn with Sphero robots. Go beyond code by incorporating unique STEAM lessons to complete with your bot. Designed for learner progression, Sphero Edu beginners can give robots commands by drawing a path in the app for their robot to follow. Intermediate coders can use Scratch blocks to learn more advanced logic, while pros can use text programming and write their own JavaScript or Python code. Sphero Edu is built for makers, learners, educators, and parents. The interactive platform allows you to keep track of your class or group from one easy place. Anyone can save their progress, jump from device to device, and continue the discovery from anywhere. Preparing for the future has never been so fun. SPHERO EDU FEATURES PROGRAMS: Program your bots in 3 ways with Draw, Block, and Text modes. Start with the basics and grow. SENSOR DATA: See location, accelerometer, gyroscope, velocity, and distance sensor data through visual graphs. LESSONS: Program a painting. Navigate a maze. Mimic the solar system. The only limit is your imagination. TAKE A DRIVE: Need a brain break? Set LED colors on your robot and zoom around in Drive mode. ASSIGNMENTS: Are you a teacher? Monitor progress by creating lessons and assigning them to your students. INTEGRATIONS: Simplify classroom use by signing in and syncing classrooms with Google and Clever accounts. COMPATIBILITY Supported Robots: Sphero BOLT+, Sphero BOLT, Sphero RVR/RVR+, Sphero SPRK+, Sphero SPRK Edition, Sphero 2.0, Sphero Mini, Ollie, BB-8, BB-9E, R2-D2, R2-Q5 Unsupported Robots: Sphero Original, Force Band, Lightning McQueen, Spider-Man, indi
Merge Object Viewer
Explore hundreds of 3D digital teaching aids with this app. Students can interact with models of rocks, mammals, cells, and more. The app also allows users to upload and view their own 3D objects on a compatible device.
- Hundreds of 3D teaching aids
- Interactive 3D models
- Learn about science and biology
- Upload and view custom 3D objects
- Hands-on digital learning
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PLEASE NOTE: This app requires a Merge Cube and a smartphone or a tablet to play. To find out how to get a Merge Cube and to learn more, visit our website at: https://www.MergeCube.com. Object Viewer puts hundreds of digital teaching aids in the palm of your hand! Students can learn about rocks and minerals, mammals, reptiles, lifecycles, cells, and so much more using different collections of hands-on 3D models. Students can also upload, view, and share their own 3D objects on the Merge Cube. If you have any questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at any time at support@MergeEdu.com. Privacy Policy: https://MergeEdu.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://MergeEdu.com/terms-of-use
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sphero Edu at none against Merge Object Viewer's 4. Sphero Edu also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 48%) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 390). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Merge Object Viewer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Sphero Edu asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Sphero Edu against 4.5 for Merge Object Viewer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 390 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of Sphero Edu's written reviews are positive against 48% of Merge Object Viewer's.
Sphero Edu ships an update every 5 weeks, Merge Object Viewer monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sphero Edu | Merge Object Viewer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better | 4.5 (390 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 65.3% of reviews — better | 47.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 390 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 194 MB | 414 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sphero, Inc. | Merge Apps |
Customer experience
Sphero Edu
Merge Object Viewer
User reviews
Sphero Edu
From 1.5K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 Excellent for learning to code
- 🚀 Fun and engaging to use
- 👍 Great for kids and adults
- 👍 Supports various Sphero models
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent connection issues
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs after updates
- 🔋 Battery life problems
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with older devices
- 🐛 Unreliable performance
Merge Object Viewer
From 390 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Engaging AR STEM tool
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 👍 Seamless object merging
- 👍 Extensive file format support
- 👍 Convenient sharing options
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🐛 Slow rendering/loading
- 🐛 Compatibility issues on older devices
- 🔒 Paywall for full access
- 🐛 Unstable login/account management
Bugs and requests
Sphero Edu
Reported bugs
4 issues- Programs not saving properly
- Firmware update issues
- Inability to connect to certain Sphero models
- Sign-in and registration problems
Requested features
5 requests- Add more coding blocks and functionality
- Improve community features and sharing
- Restore legacy app features (e.g., free drive mode)
- Provide better documentation and tutorials
- Allow custom sound and light effects
Merge Object Viewer
Reported bugs
4 issues- Objects not loading or displaying incorrectly
- App freezing or closing unexpectedly
- Labeling/annotation issues with 3D objects
- Compatibility problems on iPads and older iOS versions
Requested features
5 requests- Adjustable lighting for 3D objects
- Ability to snap objects together
- Camera button for capturing scenes
- Restore VR support
- More free 3D content options
In-app purchases
Sphero Edu
No in-app purchases
Merge Object Viewer
- Object Viewer Premium Monthly14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Merge EDU Individual14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Object Viewer Premium Annual14 Days trial$99.991 Year
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- Merge EDU Individual14 Days trial$99.991 Year
Questions
Is Sphero Edu free?
Is Merge Object Viewer free?
Which has better reviews, Sphero Edu or Merge Object Viewer?
Do Sphero Edu or Merge Object Viewer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sphero Edu or Merge Object Viewer?
Other comparisons
