# Mari vs Sphero Edu

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.

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

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Mari | Sphero Edu |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mari-time/id786765523/reviews) | **[4.5 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphero-edu/id1017847674/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **1.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 27.8% of reviews | **65.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 50 MB | 194 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Surrey School District](https://appshunter.io/developer/634542422) | [Sphero, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/468699622) |

## What reviewers say

### Mari

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mari-time/id786765523)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sphero Edu

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphero-edu/id1017847674)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Excellent for learning to code
- 🚀 Fun and engaging to use
- 👍 Great for kids and adults
- 👍 Supports various Sphero models
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connection issues
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs after updates
- 🔋 Battery life problems
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with older devices
- 🐛 Unreliable performance

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


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