Comparison

MAD 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

MAD

This platform allows students and teachers to preview and showcase apps they create using a mobile app development program. It provides a space to present innovative ideas, receive feedback, and potentially gain global recognition for student-created applications.

Highlights
  • Preview student-created apps
  • Showcase app creations
  • Enter 9-digit preview codes
  • Receive feedback on apps
  • Potential for global publication
Features
Read full description

MAD-store is our version of the Apple iTunes Store that allows students and teachers to preview and showcase apps they create using MAD-learn – a Mobile App Development program used to help students experience and learn the Design Thinking Process. The online tool is made up of a combination of templates and code-based screens that students use to create their apps. MAD-store gives students the opportunity to present their innovative and unique ideas and thought processes to the world to acquire recognition and feedback through a strong learning environment. Each app created through MAD-learn has its own 9-digit preview code. Once the code is entered into the MAD-store mobile app, a fully functioning version of the app can be viewed on any mobile device. Apps can also become eligible for full publication on the MAD-store or Apple iTunes Store, making them viewable to a wider, global audience.

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

MAD4 screens
Merge Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Merge Explorer at 4.1 against MAD's 3.5. Merge Explorer also leads on ratings volume (279 vs 14) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). MAD's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (67% vs 46%). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Merge Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. MAD asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Merge Explorer holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Merge Explorer has 279 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of MAD's written reviews are positive against 46% of Merge Explorer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MAD ships an update every 3 months, Merge Explorer monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
MAD versus Merge Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMADMerge Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (14 ratings)4.1 (279 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better46.2% of reviews
Number of ratings14279 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — 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
Size39 MB1.3 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMAD-learnMerge Apps

Customer experience

MAD

All ratings14 ratings
Positive64.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative35.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Merge Explorer

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

Bugs and requests

MAD

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

MAD

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 MAD free?
MAD 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, MAD or Merge Explorer?
Merge Explorer is rated higher. MAD averages 3.5 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Merge Explorer averages 4.1 from 279 ratings.
Do MAD or Merge Explorer have ads?
Neither MAD nor Merge Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MAD or Merge Explorer?
MAD ships an update every 3 months, and Merge Explorer monthly. Most recently, MAD was updated on October 11, 2026 and Merge Explorer on October 12, 2026.

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