Merge Explorer vs Doodlematic Education
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
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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
Doodlematic Education
Transform your paper drawings into playable video games in seconds. Design, enhance, and share your creations with friends and family. Ideal for creative learning and rapid game prototyping.
- Create games from drawings
- Enhance games with powerups
- Share games online
- Create custom Game Rooms
- Favorite and rate games
- Supports multiple game types
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DoodleMatic turns your drawings into video games! Build a game by drawing on paper, snapping a photo, and have your drawing come to life in seconds. ■ Make games: Multiple game types encourage hours of creative play. ■ Share your game: Share with your friends and family so they can play your game on the web, without the app! ■ Powerup your game: Use the DoodleMatic Powerups to enhance your game with tools like movement, projectiles and bounce. ■ Create your own Game Room: Create a Game Room for you and your friends. ■ Like a game: Add a game to your favorites for quick access, and give props to the creator! Get your paper and markers out, and get ready to DRAW, SNAP, PLAY! * This application is free to download and offers some optional in-app purchases. * Internet connectivity required to play. Data charges may apply. * DoodleMatic requires use of the camera, children under 13 require parent permission to play. ====================================== Teachers around the world are singing DoodleMatic's praises! Educational benefits are numerous and nearly limitless. Here are just a few of the ways teachers and students are using DoodleMatic to learn and play: ■ Make games: DoodleMatic lets you instantly create games from drawings, with multiple game modes that encourage prototyping and iteration. DoodleMatic is the best rapid prototyping tool on the planet. ■ Any age: From the youngest game fans turning color-coded drawings into playable levels through complex Photoshop-created illustrations, students from Kindergarten through High School (and beyond!) use DoodleMatic in many different ways. ■ Reinforcement and Rewards: Connect classroom success with game design, reinforcing reading and writing by accompanying games with stories. ■ Make learning fun: Turn your subject content into a game that students can play and learn from. ■ Turn students into teachers: Students can use DoodleMatic to make interactive quizzes for each other, to reinforce what they have learned. ■ Share: Put your students' best lessons in the hands of other students in your school! Visit doodlematic.com or email us at info@doodlematic.com for more information on creating an educator account!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Doodlematic Education at 100% against Merge Explorer's 46%. Doodlematic Education also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). Merge Explorer's advantage is rating (4.1 vs 3.2) and ratings volume (279 vs 5). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Merge Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Doodlematic Education asks for nothing beyond the download.
Merge Explorer holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Merge Explorer has 279 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of Merge Explorer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Doodlematic Education's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Merge Explorer ships an update monthly, Doodlematic Education every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Merge Explorer | Doodlematic Education |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (279 ratings) — better | 3.2 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 279 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 8.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1.3 GB | 122 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Merge Apps | BitOGenius Inc |
Customer experience
Merge Explorer
Doodlematic Education
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
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- 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
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- Improve functionality for remote teaching, including screen recording
- Add more content in the future
- Add dark mode option
- Add advanced analytics dashboard
Doodlematic Education
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
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- Explorer Premium Annual14 Days trial$99.991 Year
Doodlematic Education
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Merge Explorer free?
Is Doodlematic Education free?
Which has better reviews, Merge Explorer or Doodlematic Education?
Do Merge Explorer or Doodlematic Education have ads?
Which is updated more often, Merge Explorer or Doodlematic Education?
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