Plugo by PlayShifu vs Osmo Words Explorers
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Plugo by PlayShifu
This interactive AR gaming system uses interchangeable kits and a gamepad to make learning STEM subjects fun and hands-on for children. Kids can play and learn without directly touching the screen, developing skills in math, vocabulary, logic, and critical thinking through engaging games.
- Interactive AR gaming
- Hands-on STEM learning
- Interchangeable game kits
- Develops logic and critical thinking
- No screen touching required
- Multiple educational games
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** PlayShifu Plugo: An interactive AR gaming system to stimulate STEM skills ** Plugo is an AR gaming system that makes STEM super fun and hands-on - 1 gamepad, 7 interchangeable kits, unlimited gaming! Designed for 5-11-year-old kids, each gaming kit offers exciting educational games that are conceptualized to make your child play, learn and have fun—all at the same time. With Plugo, your child can interact and play using various tactile kits without touching the screen. They won’t even realize they’re learning math, vocabulary, dexterity, logical reasoning, critical thinking and so much more. The gamepad is built for all Plugo kits and is compatible with multiple devices. No wires, no electronics or additional hardware; our gaming system requires minimum effort to set-up and play. Plugo app has many games with over 60+ levels for each gaming kit! ** Plugo Link: Construction Kit ** Design structures with hexagon building blocks to solve problems ** Plugo Count: Hands-on Math Kit ** Unravel mysteries and cross hurdles with numbers & arithmetic ** Plugo Piano: Music Learning Kit ** Step into the musical world and get friendly with keys, notes & beats ** S.T.E.A.M. Ahead with Plugo ** S.T.E.A.M. is an integral part of our educational approach to kids’ playtime. -- Science: Explore the underwater world & celestial objects with Plugo Steer. -- Technology: Learn about the functioning of basic electric & sound circuits with Plugo Link. -- Engineering: Build gravity-defying structures with Plugo Link. Build innovative thinking & logical reasoning ability with Plugo Quest. -- Arts: Hone your creative problem-solving skills with Plugo Link. Foray into the world of music with Plugo Piano. -- Mathematics: Learn problem-solving involving numbers & algebra with Plugo Count. ** How It Works ** -- Download the Plugo by PlayShifu app -- Login -- Sync the kits you have -- Unfold the gamepad and place the device in the slot -- Tap on any game to let the fun times roll ** About Team PlayShifu ** We are a passionate team of parents, early learning experts, innovators and technologists that fit together like puzzle pieces. Our aim is to make every experience exciting and meaningful for kids, and we strive to give the best! ** Contact Us ** Your feedback is very important to us. If you have any questions, comments, feedback or need any help, please contact us at reachout@playshifu.com
Osmo Words Explorers
This app offers an engaging word-building and spelling adventure for young learners. Kids explore ancient temples, battle monsters, and save artifacts by mastering word constructions and spelling challenges. It's designed to enhance literacy skills and introduce historical facts in a fun, interactive way.
- Word recognition
- Spelling practice
- Vocabulary building
- Critical thinking
- Creative problem-solving
- Historical facts
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Osmo Words Explorers & The Tunnel of Treasures Build words, battle monsters, and save the ancient treasures! In Words Explorers, kids go on a temple adventure. To progress, they must master increasingly more challenging word constructions. Along the way they’ll confront monsters, battle the boss, have a blast and -- if their skills are sharp -- save real artifacts! Osmo Words Explorers is a word-building and spelling adventure designed to teach literacy skills for kids in grades 1-3. Using your existing Osmo Base for iPad and Words tiles, this digital-only extension is a great add-on to your Osmo system. Includes: - Word recognition - Spelling practice - Word patterns - Vocabulary building - Sight words - Critical thinking - Creative problem-solving - History & social studies EXPLORE AN ANCIENT TEMPLE Two adventurous Agoutis need your help to save ancient artifacts! Tunnel through a crumbling temple, using words skills to pass through barriers and battle monsters. With each level completed, save a real Mesoamerican artifact! BUILD LITERACY SKILLS Get creative with Osmo Words tiles by replacing one letter at a time to form new words! Every time you spell a word correctly, the blocks fall and you get closer to battling the boss and saving an artifact. This word pattern, spelling and vocabulary game is perfect for kids ages 6-9. Challenges get harder as kids progress. LEARN HISTORICAL FACTS With every level completed, you save an ancient Aztec artifact! Learn about the double-headed serpent, Moctezuma’s Headdress, the Stone of Tizoc, and more. THINK FAST, GET CREATIVE The final step to recovering each artifact is to battle a new monster with the power of words. In this challenge, you’ll need to get creative to make new words out of just a few letter tiles. Think fast to get to the artifact before the monster can! *Play your favourite Osmo Words Explorers on both iPhone and iPad! Use your iPhone with the Osmo Base for iPad and Words tiles - each can be found at playosmo.com. * Please see our device compatibility list here: https://support.playosmo.com/hc/articles/115010156067 * Compatible iPhones: iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max iPhone 14, 14 Plus * Not compatible: iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max iPhone 12 Mini,13 Mini iPhone SE (1-3) iPhone 11 Series and older *Requires use of Osmo iPad Base and Words tiles. Visit www.playosmo.com to learn more. Features: - Easy-to-use interface for children - Simple verbal instructions - Warm, colorful character animations About Osmo: Osmo is using the screen to create a new healthy, hands-on learning experience that promotes creativity, problem solving and social interaction.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Plugo by PlayShifu at 4.7 against Osmo Words Explorers's 3.3. Plugo by PlayShifu also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (51% vs 17%). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Osmo Words Explorers sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Plugo by PlayShifu asks for nothing beyond the download.
Plugo by PlayShifu holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Plugo by PlayShifu has 7.8K ratings behind it against 59, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of Plugo by PlayShifu's written reviews are positive against 17% of Osmo Words Explorers's.
Plugo by PlayShifu ships an update every 3 weeks, Osmo Words Explorers every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Plugo by PlayShifu | Osmo Words Explorers |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (7.8K ratings) — better | 3.3 (59 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.7% of reviews — better | 17.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 7.8K — better | 59 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 862 MB | 261 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | mobilizAR | Tangible Play |
Customer experience
Plugo by PlayShifu
Osmo Words Explorers
Bugs and requests
Plugo by PlayShifu
Reported bugs
5 issues- App crashes frequently
- Camera permissions not working
- Incorrect math answers provided
- Spelling mistakes in the app
- Compatibility issues with newer devices
Requested features
5 requests- Add lowercase letter tiles
- Ability to create custom spelling lists
- More diverse avatar options
- Parental controls and profile management
- Randomize word/puzzle selection
Osmo Words Explorers
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Plugo by PlayShifu
No in-app purchases
Osmo Words Explorers
- 3-day trial of Words ExplorerFree
- Unlock Words Explorers$9.99
Questions
Is Plugo by PlayShifu free?
Is Osmo Words Explorers free?
Which has better reviews, Plugo by PlayShifu or Osmo Words Explorers?
Do Plugo by PlayShifu or Osmo Words Explorers have ads?
Which is updated more often, Plugo by PlayShifu or Osmo Words Explorers?
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