MEL STEM vs MindLabs STEM
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MEL STEM
Explore fundamental scientific concepts like light, sound, and electricity through interactive games and AR experiences. This app offers visual explanations and virtual experiments for young learners, guided by engaging characters.
- Interactive science games
- AR STEM experiences
- Visual explanations of concepts
- Virtual science lab
- 3D/AR visual explanations
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What is Light? Sound? Electricity? How do they work? With a variety of observations and integrated kids games, your kid will discover all of that and more. Begin your journey into the world of science for kids accompanied by two trusty guides — Zach and Newt. Their marvelous machines are the perfect testing ground for virtual science experiments for kids. With MEL STEM: Science for Kids you’ll get: - An introduction to science backed by fun science games - Simple visual explanations of basic scientific concepts - A science kids AR app full of things to learn and free of ads or in-app purchases - A virtual interactive kids science lab - A great addition to our MEL STEM subscription if you choose to buy one In short, MEL STEM: Science for Kids is carefully crafted to bring science to kids aged 6 to 8 through 3D/AR visual explanations.
MindLabs STEM
This app uses augmented reality to teach children ages 8+ core STEM concepts like energy, motion, and light. It combines digital challenges with physical cards for an interactive and research-based learning experience. Players can collaborate on designs in a creative mode.
- Augmented reality STEM learning
- Interactive challenges
- Collaborative CREATE mode
- Physical card integration
- Covers energy, motion, light, and more
- Suitable for ages 8+
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MindLabs STEM is a magical learning tool for children ages 8 and older that covers STEM topics such as Energy & Circuits; Force & Motion through Simple Machines; Light & Sound and more! MindLabs combines a digital app, physical cards, and augmented reality in a fun, exciting, and research-based approach to learning core science and engineering concepts. Children practice concepts in a carefully sequenced series of interactive challenges. In the collaborative CREATE mode, they can create unlimited designs while playing with teammates in the same or different locations. Designed for one to four players, this open-ended learning experience sparks a child's interest in science, engineering, and the world around them. The MindLabs STEM app is FREE, but you need the physical cards to play! Download and print sample cards to try a quick demo here: www.exploremindlabs.com This product has been supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1913637 and National Institutes of Health Grant No. R43GM134813.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: MEL STEM at 451 against MindLabs STEM's 1. MEL STEM also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). MindLabs STEM's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MindLabs STEM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MEL STEM has 451 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
MEL STEM ships an update monthly, MindLabs STEM every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | MEL STEM | MindLabs STEM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (451 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 451 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 244 MB | 549 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MEL Science Limited | Explore Interactive, Inc. |
Customer experience
MEL STEM
MindLabs STEM
Bugs and requests
MEL STEM
Reported bugs
5 issues- Card cannot be scanned, no option available
- AR sections show black screen
- App is completely unusable due to black screens in AR and 3D mode after update
- Non-stop crashing, app not working
- Missing instruction book for luminescence kit
Requested features
2 requests- Fix card scanning functionality
- Ensure instruction books are included with kits
MindLabs STEM
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
MEL STEM
No in-app purchases
MindLabs STEM
No in-app purchases
