# Merge Explorer vs Virtual Reality Animals!

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Virtual Reality Animals! at none against Merge Explorer's 4. Virtual Reality Animals! also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Merge Explorer's advantage is rating (4.1 vs 3.7) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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 Animals! asks for nothing beyond the download.

Merge Explorer holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Merge Explorer has 279 ratings behind it against 37, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of Merge Explorer's written reviews are positive against 50% of Virtual Reality Animals!'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Merge Explorer ships an update monthly, Virtual Reality Animals! every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Merge Explorer | Virtual Reality Animals! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.1 (279 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-explorer/id1453098606/reviews)** | [3.7 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-reality-animals/id6444455070/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **279** | 37 |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | **50.0% 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 | 2.1 GB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| 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 Animals!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-reality-animals/id6444455070)

Explore the animal kingdom through immersive 360-degree virtual reality experiences. This companion app requires a physical kit with a book and VR goggles for full functionality, offering detailed views of various animals.

**Highlights:** Immersive 360-degree VR animal experiences, Detailed views of insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, Companion app for physical kit, Requires printed book for full functionality, Educational content on fauna

**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 Animals! free?

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

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

Merge Explorer is rated higher. Merge Explorer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 279 ratings, while Virtual Reality Animals! averages 3.7 from 37 ratings.

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

Neither Merge Explorer nor Virtual Reality Animals! shows ads.

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

Merge Explorer ships an update monthly, and Virtual Reality Animals! every 3 months. Most recently, Merge Explorer was updated on September 13, 2026 and Virtual Reality Animals! on September 4, 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.*