# Merge Explorer vs Virtual Reality Dinosaurs!

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! at none against Merge Explorer's 4. Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Merge Explorer's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (279 vs 63). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Merge Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for Merge Explorer against 4.1 for Virtual Reality Dinosaurs!. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 279 and 63 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 46% of Merge Explorer's written reviews are positive against 40% of Virtual Reality Dinosaurs!'s.

Merge Explorer ships an update monthly, Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Merge Explorer | Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (279 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-explorer/id1453098606/reviews) | **[4.1 (63 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-reality-dinosaurs/id1596112198/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **279** | 63 |
| Positive reviews | **46.2% of reviews** | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 1.3 GB | 1.2 GB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Merge Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1253049593) | [Abacus](https://appshunter.io/developer/1486425022) |

## What reviewers say

### Merge Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-explorer/id1453098606)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Merge EDU Individual | $9.99 | per month |
| Explorer Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Merge EDU Individual | $99.99 | per year |
| Explorer Premium Annual | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy for young students
- 💡 Flexible for lesson needs
- 🔬 Used for research and experiments
- 💡 Introduces new content exploratorily
- 🤩 Engaging and versatile for learning

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive purchase
- 💰 Forced subscription for software
- 💰 Cannot view software before paying
- 💰 Money trap
- 💰 Only for rich people

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iPad
- App crashes when pressing play
- Camera not working in app
- Black screen when using cube or camera
- VR function broken

**Requested features**

- 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


### Virtual Reality Dinosaurs!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-reality-dinosaurs/id1596112198)

Explore a virtual museum filled with animated dinosaurs. Experience thrilling rides like a dino coaster and an exciting Jeep chase to outrun a T-Rex.

**Highlights:** Virtual museum exploration, Animated dinosaur videos, Dino coaster ride, T-Rex Jeep chase, Immersive VR experience

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Merge Explorer free?

Merge Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! free?

Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Merge Explorer or Virtual Reality Dinosaurs!?

Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! is rated higher. Merge Explorer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 279 ratings, while Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! averages 4.1 from 63 ratings.

### Do Merge Explorer or Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! have ads?

Neither Merge Explorer nor Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Merge Explorer or Virtual Reality Dinosaurs!?

Merge Explorer ships an update monthly, and Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! every 3 months. Most recently, Merge Explorer was updated on November 2, 2026 and Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! on November 9, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*