# STEM Buddies vs MarkSharks

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MarkSharks at none against STEM Buddies's 14. MarkSharks also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). STEM Buddies's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.2). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

STEM Buddies ships an update every 5 months, MarkSharks monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | STEM Buddies | MarkSharks |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (54 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stem-buddieskids-learning-app/id1380413683/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **54** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 487 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Sindyan Educational Media FZ-LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1358132862) | [OKS Group LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1810875778) |

## What reviewers say

### STEM Buddies

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stem-buddieskids-learning-app/id1380413683)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Semi-Annual Subscription | $5.99 | per 6 months |
| Annual Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| Gravity | $0.99 | one-time |
| Flying | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sound | $1.99 | one-time |
| Water Cycle | $1.99 | one-time |
| Germs | $1.99 | one-time |
| Muscles | $1.99 | one-time |
| Healthy Diet | $1.99 | one-time |
| Buildings | $1.99 | one-time |
| Solar System | $1.99 | one-time |
| Coding | $1.99 | one-time |
| Level One | $4.99 | one-time |
| Level Two | $4.99 | one-time |


### MarkSharks

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/marksharks/id6745121109)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is STEM Buddies free?

STEM Buddies is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is MarkSharks free?

MarkSharks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do STEM Buddies or MarkSharks have ads?

Neither STEM Buddies nor MarkSharks shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, STEM Buddies or MarkSharks?

STEM Buddies ships an update every 5 months, and MarkSharks monthly. Most recently, STEM Buddies was updated on October 24, 2026 and MarkSharks on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*