Comparison

Mari vs Sphero Edu

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

Head to head
About

Mari

Stay informed with the official mobile app for Earl Marriott Secondary. Receive push notifications for important news, access up-to-date event calendars, and easily connect to school resources and online platforms. Share school events and integrate them into your personal calendar.

Highlights
  • Push notifications for school news
  • Up-to-date event calendars
  • Direct access to school resources
  • Shareable school events
  • Calendar integration
  • Contact school via email/phone
Features
Read full description

This is the official Earl Marriott Secondary mobile app. NOTE: This app is only useful for students, parents, and staff at this school. Subscribe to updates from your teachers and the school, and always have up-to-date event calendars and other information at hand. Other benefits: * Push notifications will keep you updated about school closures and other important news. * You’ll always have your school calendars and resources on hand and up-to-date. * Conveniently e-mail, phone, or navigate to the school, or reach the website, social media, and other online resources. * Spread the word about school events! To do so, tap on the event on the Calendar screen, then tap the Share icon. * Want school events in your regular Calendar app? Go to the Calendar screen, tap the Export icon (top right), and follow the instructions. Visit mari-time.appazur.com to learn more. This is a new product designed for your school. If you have suggestions or problems, we welcome you to contact us using the Feedback feature on the Help screen. Thank you. Terms and Conditions: mari-time.appazur.com/help/terms Earl Marriott Secondary 15751 16 Avenue Surrey, BC V4A 1S1

About

Sphero Edu

This app allows users to learn and create with programmable robots. It offers multiple coding methods, from drawing paths to advanced text-based programming. Educators can manage classes and track student progress, making learning fun and interactive.

Highlights
  • Multiple programming modes (Draw, Block, Text)
  • Access sensor data via graphs
  • Pre-made STEAM lessons
  • Robot driving mode
  • Assignment creation for educators
  • Google/Clever account integration
Features
Read full description

Sphero Edu is your hub to create, contribute, and learn with Sphero robots. Go beyond code by incorporating unique STEAM lessons to complete with your bot. Designed for learner progression, Sphero Edu beginners can give robots commands by drawing a path in the app for their robot to follow. Intermediate coders can use Scratch blocks to learn more advanced logic, while pros can use text programming and write their own JavaScript or Python code. Sphero Edu is built for makers, learners, educators, and parents. The interactive platform allows you to keep track of your class or group from one easy place. Anyone can save their progress, jump from device to device, and continue the discovery from anywhere. Preparing for the future has never been so fun. SPHERO EDU FEATURES PROGRAMS: Program your bots in 3 ways with Draw, Block, and Text modes. Start with the basics and grow. SENSOR DATA: See location, accelerometer, gyroscope, velocity, and distance sensor data through visual graphs. LESSONS: Program a painting. Navigate a maze. Mimic the solar system. The only limit is your imagination. TAKE A DRIVE: Need a brain break? Set LED colors on your robot and zoom around in Drive mode. ASSIGNMENTS: Are you a teacher? Monitor progress by creating lessons and assigning them to your students. INTEGRATIONS: Simplify classroom use by signing in and syncing classrooms with Google and Clever accounts. COMPATIBILITY Supported Robots: Sphero BOLT+, Sphero BOLT, Sphero RVR/RVR+, Sphero SPRK+, Sphero SPRK Edition, Sphero 2.0, Sphero Mini, Ollie, BB-8, BB-9E, R2-D2, R2-Q5 Unsupported Robots: Sphero Original, Force Band, Lightning McQueen, Spider-Man, indi

Screenshots

Mari2 screens
Sphero Edu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sphero Edu at 65% against Mari's 28%. Sphero Edu also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 2). Mari's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sphero Edu holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Edu has 1.5K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of Mari's written reviews are positive against 65% of Sphero Edu's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mari ships an update every 2 months, Sphero Edu every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Mari versus Sphero Edu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMariSphero Edu
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (2 ratings)4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews27.8% of reviews65.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings21.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB194 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSurrey School DistrictSphero, Inc.

Customer experience

Mari

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive27.8%
Neutral16.7%
Negative55.6%

Sphero Edu

All ratings1,532 ratings
Positive86.9%
Neutral3.5%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews274 reviews
Positive65.3%
Neutral7.7%
Negative27.0%

Bugs and requests

Mari

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Sphero Edu

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Programs not saving properly
  • Firmware update issues
  • Inability to connect to certain Sphero models
  • Sign-in and registration problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more coding blocks and functionality
  • Improve community features and sharing
  • Restore legacy app features (e.g., free drive mode)
  • Provide better documentation and tutorials
  • Allow custom sound and light effects

In-app purchases

None

Mari

No in-app purchases

None

Sphero Edu

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Mari free?
Mari is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sphero Edu free?
Sphero Edu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Mari or Sphero Edu?
Sphero Edu is rated higher. Mari averages 4.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Sphero Edu averages 4.5 from 1.5K ratings.
Do Mari or Sphero Edu have ads?
Neither Mari nor Sphero Edu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mari or Sphero Edu?
Mari ships an update every 2 months, and Sphero Edu every 5 weeks. Most recently, Mari was updated on October 13, 2026 and Sphero Edu on October 13, 2026.

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