Comparison

STEM Buddies vs MindLabs STEM

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

STEM Buddies

This app offers an interactive and engaging way for children aged 4-9 to learn about science. It features animated stories, quizzes, and games covering seven key STEM themes, designed by experts and certified for educational quality.

Highlights
  • Animated STEM tales
  • Interactive quizzes
  • Kid learning games
  • Certificates of Completion
  • Artful coloring sheets
  • Science for kids videos
Features
Read full description

Ignite your child's passion for science with STEM Buddies! This educational app for child enthusiasts is meticulously created by experts and accomplished storytellers. STEM Buddies is not just another app for kids learning; it offers an enriching learning experience centered around 7 pivotal science themes. ► Interactive Learning for Tomorrow's Innovators
It's a known fact: children thrive when engaged interactively. Introducing the STEM Buddies: Doc, Victor, Helix, Cookie, and their tech-savvy dog Issy. They're here to navigate your child through the STEM realm, breaking down complex topics, showcasing science for kids videos, and ensuring each concept resonates. Our free kids learning application isn’t just brimming with interactivity; STEM Buddies holds a CERTIFICATE for EDUCATION QUALITY by the Education Alliance Finland. ► Unveiling STEM Buddies Features:
 • Animated tales focusing on pivotal STEM concepts, making it a premier science app for kids aged 4-9.
 • Engaging quizzes that augment science learning kids experiences.
 • Kid learning games such as matching challenges and educational games for science.
 • Celebrate achievements with Certificates of Completion.
 • Creativity sparks with artful coloring sheets.
 • Succinct science for kids videos elucidating key principles. ► Delve Deep into Science:
 • Gravity: Unravel the unseen force keeping us anchored.
 • Water Cycle: A journey through Earth's water recycling system.
 • Flying: The basic science for kids behind aviation.
 • Sound: The science behind our auditory experiences.
 • Germs: A microscopic exploration.
 • Muscles: The strength behind every flex.
 • Healthy Food: The science of nutrition demystified. ► Why STEM Buddies is a Must-Have:
 • Interactive Learning: A fusion of animations, storytelling, and kids learning activities.
 • Authentic Science Exploration: Real-world science topics tailored for young minds, making STEM Buddies the best app for kids learning science.
 • Expert-Driven Design: This educational app for child development is both professional and certified for quality.
 • Safe Learning Zone: No distractions, just pure education kids learning experiences. ► Parental Praise:
 "My child can't get enough of STEM Buddies. He's not only learning science but he's engrossed in it. I can track his progress, making it a perfect learning app for kids."
— Fatimah, Mother of a 6-year-old
 "STEM Buddies is transformative. My daughter anticipates her science learning sessions. The app's interactive features make learning science for kids a joy."
— Abdullah, Father of a 5-year-old ► Purchase Details:
 Experience the first Episode of STEM Buddies for free! We also offer you these options: • Single Episode: 1.99 USD • Full Level (3 Episodes): 4.99 USD Stay in the loop on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STEMBuddies and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stembuddies. Feedback is gold. Email us at: info@sindyanmedia.com ► Policies
 End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
 Privacy: http://sindyanmedia.com/privacy-policy/

About

MindLabs STEM

This app uses augmented reality to teach children ages 8+ core STEM concepts like energy, motion, and light. It combines digital challenges with physical cards for an interactive and research-based learning experience. Players can collaborate on designs in a creative mode.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality STEM learning
  • Interactive challenges
  • Collaborative CREATE mode
  • Physical card integration
  • Covers energy, motion, light, and more
  • Suitable for ages 8+
Read full description

MindLabs STEM is a magical learning tool for children ages 8 and older that covers STEM topics such as Energy & Circuits; Force & Motion through Simple Machines; Light & Sound and more! MindLabs combines a digital app, physical cards, and augmented reality in a fun, exciting, and research-based approach to learning core science and engineering concepts. Children practice concepts in a carefully sequenced series of interactive challenges. In the collaborative CREATE mode, they can create unlimited designs while playing with teammates in the same or different locations. Designed for one to four players, this open-ended learning experience sparks a child's interest in science, engineering, and the world around them. The MindLabs STEM app is FREE, but you need the physical cards to play! Download and print sample cards to try a quick demo here: www.exploremindlabs.com This product has been supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1913637 and National Institutes of Health Grant No. R43GM134813.

Screenshots

STEM Buddies4 screens
MindLabs STEM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MindLabs STEM at 5.0 against STEM Buddies's 4.4. MindLabs STEM also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 14) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). STEM Buddies's advantage is ratings volume (54 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. STEM Buddies sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 6 months. MindLabs STEM asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MindLabs STEM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: STEM Buddies has 54 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

STEM Buddies ships an update every 5 months, MindLabs STEM every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
STEM Buddies versus MindLabs STEM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSTEM BuddiesMindLabs STEM
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (54 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings54 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size487 MB549 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSindyan Educational Media FZ-LLCExplore Interactive, Inc.

Customer experience

STEM Buddies

All ratings40 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

MindLabs STEM

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

14 purchases

STEM Buddies

Subscriptions2
  • Semi-Annual Subscription$5.996 Months
  • Annual Subscription$9.991 Year
One-time12
  • Gravity$0.99
  • Flying$1.99
  • Sound$1.99
Show 9 more
  • Water Cycle$1.99
  • Germs$1.99
  • Muscles$1.99
  • Healthy Diet$1.99
  • Buildings$1.99
  • Solar System$1.99
  • Coding$1.99
  • Level One$4.99
  • Level Two$4.99
None

MindLabs STEM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is STEM Buddies free?
STEM Buddies is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MindLabs STEM free?
MindLabs STEM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, STEM Buddies or MindLabs STEM?
MindLabs STEM is rated higher. STEM Buddies averages 4.4 out of 5 from 54 ratings, while MindLabs STEM averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do STEM Buddies or MindLabs STEM have ads?
Neither STEM Buddies nor MindLabs STEM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, STEM Buddies or MindLabs STEM?
STEM Buddies ships an update every 5 months, and MindLabs STEM every 2 months. Most recently, STEM Buddies was updated on October 24, 2026 and MindLabs STEM on October 15, 2026.

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