ZipGrade vs Merge Explorer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ZipGrade
Instantly grade multiple-choice tests and quizzes using your device's camera. This app offers a fast and accurate way for educators to assess student work, with features for organizing and exporting results. It provides immediate feedback to inform lesson planning and assignments.
- Instant grading with device camera
- Supports multiple choice tests and quizzes
- Organizes and exports results (PDF, Excel)
- Free answer sheet templates available
- Companion website for data management
- Stores results by student, subject, and quiz
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Teachers can grade multiple choice tests, quizzes, and assessments instantly in the classroom by using their iPhone or iPad's camera as a scanner. It is the most cost effective, fastest, and most accurate way to grade tests in the classroom or where ever you are. -------------------------------------------------------- * Free answer sheets available in several formats and sizes up to 100 questions (including custom form wizard) * Organizes results for reporting and exporting via PDF and Excel-readable format * Uses student ID numbers or written name of student for reporting. * Use companion website (www.zipgrade.com) to manage your data and upload student lists and review results in dozens of reports and exports. -------------------------------------------------------- Use for exit tickets, formative assessments, or regular quizzes. Stores results by students, subject, and quiz. By giving teachers the flexibility to grade papers instantly anywhere, ZipGrade provides immediate feedback on current knowledge and can be used to better focus lessons and assignments. Download ZipGrade free with access to all features and website, but limited to 100 scans per month. After you've used it for a class or two, use the in-app purchase a non-recurring subscription with unlimited scanning.
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
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: ZipGrade at 4.9 against Merge Explorer's 4.1. ZipGrade also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 46%) and ratings volume (36K vs 279). 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. ZipGrade sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Merge Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ZipGrade holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ZipGrade has 36K ratings behind it against 279, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of ZipGrade's written reviews are positive against 46% of Merge Explorer's.
ZipGrade ships an update every 6 weeks, Merge Explorer monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ZipGrade | Merge Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (36K ratings) — better | 4.1 (279 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 86.0% of reviews — better | 46.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 36K — better | 279 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 1.3 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ZipGrade LLC | Merge Apps |
Customer experience
ZipGrade
Merge Explorer
User reviews
ZipGrade
From 36K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Efficient grading
- 👍 Instant feedback for students
- 📊 Detailed data analysis
- 💰 Affordable subscription
- ⏱️ Time-saving
Room to improve
- 🐛 Inconsistent scanning issues
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating interface
- 🔢 Lack of class/student grouping options
- 🖼️ Poor image quality for student names
Merge Explorer
From 279 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy for young students
- 💡 Flexible for lesson needs
- 🔬 Used for research and experiments
- 💡 Introduces new content exploratorily
- 🤩 Engaging and versatile for learning
Room to improve
- 💰 Expensive purchase
- 💰 Forced subscription for software
- 💰 Cannot view software before paying
- 💰 Money trap
- 💰 Only for rich people
Bugs and requests
ZipGrade
Reported bugs
2 issues- Scanning issues with flat surface detection
- Incorrect answer marking due to eraser marks
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to change question point values in bulk
- Option to create/edit answer keys on website
- Support for non-multiple choice question types
- Improved data export/integration with other systems
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
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Improve functionality for remote teaching, including screen recording
- Add more content in the future
- Add dark mode option
- Add advanced analytics dashboard
In-app purchases
ZipGrade
- Add 1 year of use$6.99
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
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Explorer Premium Annual14 Days trial$99.991 Year
Questions
Is ZipGrade free?
Is Merge Explorer free?
Which has better reviews, ZipGrade or Merge Explorer?
Do ZipGrade or Merge Explorer have ads?
Which is updated more often, ZipGrade or Merge Explorer?
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