Merge Explorer vs iTester
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Merge Explorer
Explore over 100 interactive science simulations using a smartphone and a Merge Cube. Investigate volcanoes, sharks, the solar system, and more with hands-on activities and quizzes. Ideal for K-8 students learning science at school or home.
- Over 100 science simulations
- Interactive Merge Cube experiences
- Hands-on learning activities
- Built-in quizzes
- NGSS-aligned K-8 curriculum
- Physical, Life, and Earth/Space Science topics
Read full descriptionHide full description
PLEASE NOTE: This app requires a Merge Cube and a smartphone or a tablet to experience. Find out how to get a Merge Cube and learn more at: https://www.MergeCube.com. Students can learn science effectively with over 100 science simulations they can touch, hold and interact with! Merge Explorer (along with a Merge Cube) allows students to investigate a smoking volcano in the palm of their hand, examine a great white shark up close, hold and explore the solar system, dissect a frog (humanely!), and so much more. With easy-to-follow activities and built-in quizzes, students gain key knowledge while immersed in learning, both in the classroom or while remote learning at home. Merge Explorer includes NGSS-aligned topics for K-8th grade, like Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth & Space Science. If you have any questions or suggestions, we want 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
iTester
This application serves as a digital kiosk for students to take assessments. It provides a consistent testing experience across devices, mirroring the functionality of its desktop counterpart. Designed for educational institutions, it ensures secure and reliable delivery of student evaluations.
- Secure test-taking environment
- Consistent cross-device experience
- Next-generation assessment delivery
- Supports student evaluations
Read full descriptionHide full description
The iTester app is the test taking kiosk for student assessments. iTester is a next-generation assessment delivery platform developed by Texas-based eMetric LLC. The iTester app offers the same content delivery and features as the desktop application to provide a consistent testing experience for all students. For supported versions, see the technology guidelines posted on the Help & Support site.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: iTester at 5.0 against Merge Explorer's 4.1. iTester also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4). Merge Explorer's advantage is ratings volume (279 vs 1) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price 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 Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. iTester asks for nothing beyond the download.
iTester holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Merge Explorer has 279 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Merge Explorer ships an update monthly, iTester every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Merge Explorer | iTester |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (279 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 279 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1.3 GB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Merge Apps | eMetric LLC |
Customer experience
Merge Explorer
iTester
Bugs and requests
Merge Explorer
Reported bugs
13 issues- App crashes on iPad
- App crashes when pressing play
- Camera not working in app
- Black screen when using cube or camera
- VR function broken
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- VR doesn't work with iPhone XS Max
- App crashes or loads forever
- Problems with galactic explore
- App has trouble recognizing the cube
- Screen recording only records cube, not overlay
- Words appear sideways in horizontal mode
- Content appears incorrectly
- App crashes
Requested features
9 requests- Make the app free to play
- Add more fun things, not just learning
- Bring back the fun apps (time bomb, block courses)
- Allow users to create their own games for the merge cube
- Add a way to reset quizzes for class sets of devices
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Improve functionality for remote teaching, including screen recording
- Add more content in the future
- Add dark mode option
- Add advanced analytics dashboard
iTester
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Merge Explorer
- Merge EDU Individual14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Explorer Premium Monthly14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Merge EDU Individual14 Days trial$99.991 Year
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Explorer Premium Annual14 Days trial$99.991 Year
iTester
No in-app purchases
