Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Interactive AR gaming
  • Hands-on STEM learning
  • Interchangeable game kits
  • Develops logic and critical thinking
  • No screen touching required
  • Multiple educational games
Read full description

** 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

About

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.

Highlights
  • Word recognition
  • Spelling practice
  • Vocabulary building
  • Critical thinking
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Historical facts
Read full description

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

Plugo by PlayShifu4 screens
Osmo Words Explorers4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Osmo Words Explorers sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Plugo by PlayShifu asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Plugo by PlayShifu versus Osmo Words Explorers: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlugo by PlayShifuOsmo Words Explorers
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (7.8K ratings) — better3.3 (59 ratings)
Positive reviews50.7% of reviews — better17.4% of reviews
Number of ratings7.8K — better59
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size862 MB261 MB
Age rating4+4+
DevelopermobilizARTangible Play

Customer experience

Plugo by PlayShifu

All ratings7,805 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral2.8%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews219 reviews
Positive50.7%
Neutral7.3%
Negative42.0%

Osmo Words Explorers

All ratings59 ratings
Positive54.2%
Neutral5.1%
Negative40.7%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive17.4%
Neutral8.7%
Negative73.9%

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

None

Plugo by PlayShifu

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Osmo Words Explorers

One-time2
  • 3-day trial of Words ExplorerFree
  • Unlock Words Explorers$9.99

Questions

Is Plugo by PlayShifu free?
Plugo by PlayShifu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Osmo Words Explorers free?
Osmo Words Explorers is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Plugo by PlayShifu or Osmo Words Explorers?
Plugo by PlayShifu is rated higher. Plugo by PlayShifu averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.8K ratings, while Osmo Words Explorers averages 3.3 from 59 ratings.
Do Plugo by PlayShifu or Osmo Words Explorers have ads?
Neither Plugo by PlayShifu nor Osmo Words Explorers shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Plugo by PlayShifu or Osmo Words Explorers?
Plugo by PlayShifu ships an update every 3 weeks, and Osmo Words Explorers every 3 months. Most recently, Plugo by PlayShifu was updated on October 29, 2026 and Osmo Words Explorers on October 23, 2026.

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