Comparison

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots vs Merge Explorer

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

Head to head
About

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

Control and program robots with a user-friendly interface. Design custom controllers and explore STEM education through interactive robot play. Supports a variety of robot models and multiple languages.

Highlights
  • Robot control via official controller
  • Create custom robot controllers
  • Graphical programming for complex functions
  • User-friendly interface
  • Supports multiple Makeblock robot models
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

Makeblock APP is a robot control software in smart devices. Everyone can directly control Makeblock robots using official controller in the software, or creates and programs a specific controller to achieve richer robotic functionality. Makeblock APP gives the user a way to grow. You can use the controller function to control directly, you can also drag the control to create a different multi-function console; advanced users can even programmatically through the control to achieve more complex functions. Features: -Brand New UI Design, User-Friendly Interface. -Stronger Controllability, Simpler Way to Learn STEM:STEM education becomes easy & fun as you can also master robot freely to sing, dance or light. -Create Customized Robot Controller with Graphical Programming: Realize your imagination and control your robot by simply dragging, dropping and programming the command blocks. -Supporting Makeblock Robots: Codey Rocky, MotionBlock, mBot、mBot Ranger、Airblock、Starter、Ultimate2.0 . -Multi-Language User Interface :Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Croatian,Polish,Romanian. Support: -You can visit the official website: www.makeblock.com for more information -support email: support@makeblock.cc -Support forum: we.makeblock.com

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots4 screens
Merge Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Makeblock-Play STEM Robots at none against Merge Explorer's 4. Makeblock-Play STEM Robots also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). Merge Explorer's advantage is rating (4.1 vs 3.7). 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 Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Makeblock-Play STEM Robots asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Merge Explorer holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 202 and 279 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 47% and 46% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots ships an update every 6 weeks, Merge Explorer monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Makeblock-Play STEM Robots versus Merge Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMakeblock-Play STEM RobotsMerge Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (202 ratings)4.1 (279 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.6% of reviews — better46.2% of reviews
Number of ratings202279 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size458 MB1.3 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMakeblock Co., Ltd.Merge Apps

Customer experience

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

All ratings202 ratings
Positive66.3%
Neutral6.4%
Negative27.2%
Written reviews131 reviews
Positive46.6%
Neutral3.8%
Negative49.6%

Merge Explorer

All ratings279 ratings
Positive76.3%
Neutral7.2%
Negative16.5%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral10.8%
Negative43.1%

Bugs and requests

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

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
Show 8 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

None

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Merge Explorer

Subscriptions4
  • 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 more
  • Explorer Premium Annual14 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Makeblock-Play STEM Robots free?
Makeblock-Play STEM Robots is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Merge Explorer free?
Merge Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Makeblock-Play STEM Robots or Merge Explorer?
Merge Explorer is rated higher. Makeblock-Play STEM Robots averages 3.7 out of 5 from 202 ratings, while Merge Explorer averages 4.1 from 279 ratings.
Do Makeblock-Play STEM Robots or Merge Explorer have ads?
Neither Makeblock-Play STEM Robots nor Merge Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Makeblock-Play STEM Robots or Merge Explorer?
Makeblock-Play STEM Robots ships an update every 6 weeks, and Merge Explorer monthly. Most recently, Makeblock-Play STEM Robots was updated on September 17, 2026 and Merge Explorer on September 29, 2026.

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