LightUp Learning vs Merge Explorer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
LightUp Learning
Build and learn about electronic circuits using magnetic blocks. Visualize electricity flow and program projects with drag-and-drop coding. Requires a physical LightUp kit.
- Magnetic circuit block assembly
- Visualize electricity flow
- Drag-and-drop coding interface
- Project building guides
- X-ray vision for circuits
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This is a companion app for the LightUp Edison and Tesla Kit. Build and learn about electronic circuits with LightUp kits and the LightUp Learning app. Magnetically snap together circuit blocks to build cool projects without needing to use wires, breadboards, or soldering irons. Take a photo and the LightUp Learning app will help out when you need a hand. It even gives you x-ray vision, letting you see the electricity flowing around your circuit! Ready to code? Simply drag and drop code blocks on your iPad to make a Music Box, Alarm and more! Purchase your very own LightUp kit at www.lightup.io.
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: Merge Explorer at 4.1 against LightUp Learning's 3.0. Merge Explorer also leads on ratings volume (279 vs 10) and review sentiment (46% vs 32%). LightUp Learning's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (8.1 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Merge Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. LightUp Learning asks for nothing beyond the download.
Merge Explorer holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Merge Explorer has 279 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of LightUp Learning's written reviews are positive against 46% of Merge Explorer's.
LightUp Learning ships an update every 2 months, Merge Explorer monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | LightUp Learning | Merge Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (10 ratings) | 4.1 (279 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 31.6% of reviews | 46.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 10 | 279 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.1 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 143 MB | 1.3 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | LightUp | Merge Apps |
Customer experience
LightUp Learning
Merge Explorer
Bugs and requests
LightUp Learning
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
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
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- 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
LightUp Learning
No in-app purchases
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
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- Explorer Premium Annual14 Days trial$99.991 Year
Questions
Is LightUp Learning free?
Is Merge Explorer free?
Which has better reviews, LightUp Learning or Merge Explorer?
Do LightUp Learning or Merge Explorer have ads?
Which is updated more often, LightUp Learning or Merge Explorer?
Other comparisons
