Comparison

Merge Explorer vs BuildInstruction

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

About

BuildInstruction

This app provides clear, step-by-step visual guides for building robotics projects. It currently offers 18 detailed instructions perfect for learning robotics and coding concepts.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step building instructions
  • Large, clear pictures
  • 18 building guides included
  • Supports robotics learning
  • Aids coding education
Read full description

Building instructions are ideal as a support material for learning Robotics and Coding. At the moment the application contains 18 building instructions. These instructions are clear and easy to follow. They have large step-by-step pictures. DISCLAIMER: - This is an UNOFFICIAL APP and presented with an indirect name to emphasize that. - The instructions were made by me.

Screenshots

Merge Explorer4 screens
BuildInstruction4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Merge Explorer at 46% against BuildInstruction's 0%. BuildInstruction's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and rating (4.5 vs 4.1). On price, ratings volume, 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. Merge Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. BuildInstruction asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BuildInstruction holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 279 and 108 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of Merge Explorer's written reviews are positive against 0% of BuildInstruction's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Merge Explorer versus BuildInstruction: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMerge ExplorerBuildInstruction
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (279 ratings)4.5 (108 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.2% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings279 — better108
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNo—
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.3 GB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMerge AppsLukasz Neumann

Customer experience

Merge Explorer

All ratings279 ratings
Positive76.3%
Neutral7.2%
Negative16.5%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral10.8%
Negative43.1%

BuildInstruction

All ratings105 ratings
Positive84.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative11.4%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative80.0%

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 more
  • 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 more
  • Improve functionality for remote teaching, including screen recording
  • Add more content in the future
  • Add dark mode option
  • Add advanced analytics dashboard

BuildInstruction

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Merge Explorer

Subscriptions4
  • 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 more
  • Explorer Premium Annual14 Days trial$99.991 Year
None

BuildInstruction

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Merge Explorer free?
Merge Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BuildInstruction free?
BuildInstruction is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Merge Explorer or BuildInstruction?
BuildInstruction is rated higher. Merge Explorer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 279 ratings, while BuildInstruction averages 4.5 from 108 ratings.

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