Arility vs Merge EDU

Arility is a free Android and iOS app providing augmented-reality safety education for children in classrooms, homes and experiential learning centres. Lessons combine 360-degree visuals, sound effects, AR characters and interactive scenarios where students make choices that affect outcomes. Teachers use a real-time dashboard to supervise individuals, pairs, groups or whole classes, including multiple classes simultaneously. Pre, post and extension questions assess learning, and emailed reports link student outcomes to curriculum outcomes and include answers. Activities address Australian and UK curriculum outcomes, with packs covering health, flood, driving, road safety, Constable Care safety school, driveway safety and small wheeled devices. The app works without internet after download, but sharing pictures and reports requires connectivity. Lessons require a printed Arility marker, downloadable in A4, A3, A2, A1 or A0 sizes. Compatible devices are Apple iPads, iPad minis and Android tablets; mobiles do not currently work. Arility says class photos are emailed to teachers and not stored on its servers, while other collected data is retained indefinitely.

Merge EDU is an immersive learning platform for K–12 classrooms, bringing together science simulations and digital teaching aids. Merge Explorer has more than 100 simulations across biology, physics, chemistry, and astronomy; the maker says these align with core science standards. Object Viewer lets students inspect and import 3D models in AR, then create and share collections. HoloGlobe displays NASA and NOAA satellite data, including rainfall, cloud cover, temperatures, wildfires, and snowfall. The Merge Cube can enhance AR, though most features do not require it. Merge EDU is listed for Android, iOS, web, and Windows; product pages also list iOS, Chromebook, and Windows downloads. The maker says play is stored locally and personally identifiable information from child users is not collected during app use. Pricing includes free Classroom and School plans, Individual at $17/mo billed yearly, and Teacher at $28/mo billed yearly. A 14-day trial is available. Support differs by plan, and custom pricing is offered for districts and other special requirements.