Comparison

Merge HoloGlobe vs OctoStudio

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Merge HoloGlobe

Explore real-time Earth data and simulations with stunning visualizations. This app offers interactive modes, including AR with a Merge Cube, 3D, World Mode, and VR, making it a hands-on educational tool for understanding global processes.

Highlights
  • Real-time NOAA/NASA satellite data
  • Interactive Earth simulations
  • Merge Cube AR integration
  • 3D, World, and VR modes
  • Covers rainfall, clouds, temperature, wildfires, snowfall
  • Hands-on K-12 educational resource
Features
Read full description

PLEASE NOTE: Using a Merge Cube with this version of HoloGlobe is optional. Find out how to get a Merge Cube and learn more at: https://www.MergeCube.com Merge HoloGlobe brings real-time NOAA and NASA satellite data and simulations to the Merge Cube, providing stunning views of the Earth and its many processes and systems into the palm of your hand! HoloGlobe is a hands-on resource for K-12 students, educators, and citizen scientists who want to learn more about Earth using real scientific data, including rainfall, cloud coverage, ocean and land temperature, wildfires, snowfall, and more all over the world. You can interact with HoloGlobe in 4 different ways: - In Cube Mode using a Merge Cube - In 3D Mode using only your device - In World Mode by placing digital globes in your room - In VR using a mobile headset Read the full Getting Started with Merge HoloGlobe help article here: https://support.mergeedu.com/hc/en-us/articles/5526323919117-Getting-Started-with-Merge-HoloGlobe Privacy Policy: https://MergeEDU.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://MergeEDU.com/terms-of-use

About

OctoStudio

Create animations and games using coding blocks on your mobile device. Bring your own photos and sounds to life, and share your interactive projects with others. Developed by the creators of Scratch at MIT, it's a free and fun way to learn coding.

Highlights
  • Create animations and games
  • Use coding blocks
  • Incorporate photos and sounds
  • Interactive project features
  • Share projects as video or GIF
  • Offline project creation
  • Learn coding through play
Read full description

With OctoStudio, you can create animations and games on your mobile phone or tablet. Made by the creators of Scratch at MIT. Code an animated story or game using your own artwork, sounds, and ideas. OctoStudio is completely free of charge - with no ads, no in-app purchases, and no data collected. Create projects without needing an internet connection. Available in more than 30 languages. OctoStudio is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten group, the MIT Media Lab team that invented Scratch, the world’s most popular coding language for kids. Create • Create animations, games, and anything else you can imagine • Combine emojis, photos, drawings, sounds, and movement • Make your projects come alive with coding blocks Interact • Make interactive games you can play by tilting your phone • Shake your phone or use a magnet to start your project • Make your projects speak aloud • Code your phone to buzz or turn on and off the flashlight • Collaborate across phones using the beam block Share • Record your project as a video or animated GIF • Export your project file for others to play • Send to family and friends Learn • Get started with intro videos and ideas • Explore and remix sample projects • Develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills • Learn to code in a playful and meaningful way OctoStudio has been designed in collaboration with educators in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, United States, and other countries around the world. To learn more about OctoStudio or share your feedback, please visit us at www.octostudio.org

Screenshots

Merge HoloGlobe4 screens
OctoStudio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: OctoStudio at 4.8 against Merge HoloGlobe's 4.3. OctoStudio also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Merge HoloGlobe sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. OctoStudio asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OctoStudio holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 64 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Merge HoloGlobe's written reviews are positive against 83% of OctoStudio's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Merge HoloGlobe ships an update every 5 weeks, OctoStudio monthly. The most recent releases landed on August 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Merge HoloGlobe versus OctoStudio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMerge HoloGlobeOctoStudio
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (22 ratings)4.8 (64 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.8% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2264 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size783 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMerge AppsMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Customer experience

Merge HoloGlobe

All ratings22 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%

OctoStudio

All ratings64 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral1.6%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral4.2%
Negative12.5%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Merge HoloGlobe

Subscriptions2
  • Merge Edu Premium Monthly14 Days trial2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Merge EDU Individual14 Days trial2 variants$99.991 Year
None

OctoStudio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Merge HoloGlobe free?
Merge HoloGlobe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OctoStudio free?
OctoStudio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Merge HoloGlobe or OctoStudio?
OctoStudio is rated higher. Merge HoloGlobe averages 4.3 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while OctoStudio averages 4.8 from 64 ratings.
Do Merge HoloGlobe or OctoStudio have ads?
Neither Merge HoloGlobe nor OctoStudio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Merge HoloGlobe or OctoStudio?
Merge HoloGlobe ships an update every 5 weeks, and OctoStudio monthly. Most recently, Merge HoloGlobe was updated on August 22, 2026 and OctoStudio on September 24, 2026.

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