Merge Explorer vs MARVLS
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
MARVLS
Explore plasma physics concepts with interactive augmented reality models. Visualize and manipulate these models using your phone and a downloadable Merge Cube. Navigate through various topics and bring complex scientific ideas to life.
- Augmented reality models
- Plasma physics concepts
- Merge Cube integration
- Interactive visualization
- Topic navigation
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View augmented reality models of plasma physics concepts through your phone. You'll need a Merge Cube (downloadable from the internet). Click on different button to navigate to different topics. Tap the camera icon and point your camera towards the Merge Cube to visualize and interact with our MARVLS.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: MARVLS at 100% against Merge Explorer's 46%. MARVLS also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.1) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). Merge Explorer's advantage is ratings volume (279 vs 2) and update cadence (monthly vs every 5 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. MARVLS asks for nothing beyond the download.
MARVLS 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 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of Merge Explorer's written reviews are positive against 100% of MARVLS's.
Merge Explorer ships an update monthly, MARVLS every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Merge Explorer | MARVLS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (279 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 279 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 18 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1.3 GB | 210 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Merge Apps | Michele McColgan |
Customer experience
Merge Explorer
MARVLS
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
MARVLS
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
MARVLS
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Merge Explorer free?
Is MARVLS free?
Which has better reviews, Merge Explorer or MARVLS?
Do Merge Explorer or MARVLS have ads?
Which is updated more often, Merge Explorer or MARVLS?
Other comparisons
