# VI Mobile ID vs Merv

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VI Mobile ID at none against Merv's 2. VI Mobile ID also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.5). Merv's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Merv sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. VI Mobile ID asks for nothing beyond the download.

VI Mobile ID ships an update every 4 months, Merv fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VI Mobile ID | Merv |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Size | 3 MB | 103 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 26.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Vanderbilt, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1053238756) | [Protective IQ Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1803557144) |

## What reviewers say

### VI Mobile ID

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vi-mobile-id/id1471294981)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Merv

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merv/id6749407173)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All Access (1 Month) | $9.99 | per month |
| All Access (1 Year) | $99.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VI Mobile ID free?

VI Mobile ID is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Merv free?

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

### Do VI Mobile ID or Merv have ads?

Neither VI Mobile ID nor Merv shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VI Mobile ID or Merv?

VI Mobile ID ships an update every 4 months, and Merv fortnightly. Most recently, VI Mobile ID was updated on October 7, 2026 and Merv on October 25, 2026.

---

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