Merge Explorer vs HeritageMaps
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
HeritageMaps
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HeritageMaps lets you compare World Heritage sites and landmarks with familiar buildings, parks, and other places at the same map scale. Display two maps at the same time and synchronize zoom and pitch. Compare the Great Pyramid with a nearby park, a vast archaeological site with a city block, and more. HeritageMaps makes it easy to understand size and scale in a way that numbers alone cannot. You can search not only for World Heritage sites, but also for everyday places such as parks, facilities, addresses, and cities. You can even overlay the two maps for a direct comparison. Key Features • Compare two maps at the same scale • Search for World Heritage sites and landmarks • Search for parks, facilities, addresses, and other places • Standard, satellite, and 3D map views • Overlay two maps for direct comparison • View random World Heritage sites • Save map states to iCloud • Share maps as images, URLs, or QR codes • Save map states for Siri Shortcuts • Supports iPhone and iPad • No ads HeritageMaps includes location data for approximately 1,400 World Heritage sites obtained from Wikidata and combines it with place search using Apple MapKit. Use HeritageMaps for travel planning, geography and history learning, or simply exploring famous places around the world from a different perspective. Discover how big the world really is—by comparing it with places you already know.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Merge Explorer at 15.0 against HeritageMaps's 17.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 and HeritageMaps sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Merge Explorer ships an update monthly, HeritageMaps fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Merge Explorer | HeritageMaps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (279 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 279 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1.3 GB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Merge Apps | Shuji MIURA |
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
HeritageMaps
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
HeritageMaps
- Meat Fund Tip$2.00
- Veggie Fund Tip$5.00
- Dev Support Tip$10.00
Questions
Is Merge Explorer free?
Is HeritageMaps free?
Do Merge Explorer or HeritageMaps have ads?
Which is updated more often, Merge Explorer or HeritageMaps?
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