Feature Matching Chart for the Top 13+ Robust iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps

This expanded chart includes an in-depth comparison of features & support resources across the most commonly used 13 robust iOS symbol-based AAC apps:

• Avaz AAC - Lifetime Edition
• Clicker Communicator: AAC
• CoughDrop
• GoTalk Now / GoTalk Now Plus
• Grid for iPad VPP
• LAMP Words for Life
• Niki Talk 2 Pro
• Proloquo2Go (plus some info about features in the Proloquo + Proloquo Coach subscription-based app)
• Speak for Yourself
• Talk Suite Pro
• TD Snap AAC (formerly known as Snap Core First)
• TouchChat HD with WordPower
• Weave Chat AAC

Inclusion in the “Top 13” is based on features, long term availability of apps by that developer in the App Store, good history of that app developer updating apps, having patients who benefited from using the app, gathering data from app recommendations from SLPs who have expertise in AAC, etc. and then distilling all that info into one PDF. You can search to find exactly what you’re looking for and can copy wording from this chart and paste it into your AAC reports to save time.

Table of Contents: https://bit.ly/TOC-iOSaacSBfmc-3-31-24

** All info is comprehensive, 100% up to date and verified by app developers **

I am maintaining and updating this chart to help meet the need for current and comprehensive info to be used in feature matching.

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Includes info about features in these particular apps that may be helpful as folks are exploring ways to modify AAC for Gestalt Language Processors.
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A supplemental handout “Unique Features in Symbol-Based AAC Apps to Support Gestalt Language Processors” is included with purchase. It includes info related to all 13 apps + additional info about features in 8 free and affordable symbol-based AAC apps (mainly iOS, some Android and a couple of Window) priced $2.99 or less. This supplemental handout is exclusive content that is only available as part of this resource (supplemental handout updated 3/31/24)

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See a preview of the supplemental handout: https://youtu.be/XNj82DrJ2oA (general idea… the handout has been updated since that was recorded)

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Watch the TPT preview video where I'm viewing the PDF on my iPad in the free Xodo app. You’ll get a feel for how much info will be at your fingertips in this chart. There are 135 rows in the chart. But it’s super easy to use the “search” option to find what you want quickly.

This product also includes free access to 13 unlisted YouTube videos where I highlight some of the most unique features in each app as well as several other more in-depth videos related to specific features.

Four rows are devoted to info about using the Blue2 Bluetooth Switch Interface, AeroSwith Bluetooth Switch Interface, iSwitch Bluetooth Switch Interface & Cosmo Bluetooth Switch Interface. Includes specs, details about which apps will work and which apps won’t work with each switch interface, details about the settings needed to get them to work & several exclusive unlisted YouTube videos about these.

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For those asking about the the Proloquo + Proloquo Coach app: I have some info about them in this resource in the column about Proloquo2Go. I agree that Proloquo + Proloquo Coach is a great app but is missing some features to make it officially into the top 13. I was part of beta testing the Proloquo + Proloquo Coach app and have continued to provide feedback to AssistiveWare. Top of my list is the Proloquo app needs to allow editing of existing buttons to meet the cultural and religious identity of that individual. There have been a couple of discussions in AssistiveWare’s Proloquo and Proloquo Coach Community Facebook group about the need to allow flexibility in editing existing buttons. There’s also a need for being able to use recorded speech to get proper pronunciation of some names. https://www.facebook.com/groups/381836780082796/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF. I have a free handout that compares Proloquo + Proloquo Coach to Proloquo2Go. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Comparison-of-Proloquo2Go-Proloquo-Proloquo-Coach-AAC-Apps-updated-11623-7933287

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The PDF is not intended to be printed. It one very long page that’s interactive so you can scroll, zoom in to see content and tap on links. It’s best viewed in the free Xodo PDF reader that can be used on almost any platform. See this blog post for new info about Xodo: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/11/06/free-xodo-pdf-reader-app/. It can also be viewed in the Books app on your iPad.

Important info for those wanting to view the PDF on a Mac computer: Save the PDF to your computer and then open the PDF online in Xodo: https://www.xodo.com/app/#/

A link to the Alternative Printable Version can be found at the very bottom left corner within this PDF. That version includes a link to the alternative printable version of the supplemental handout. That will allow you access to a separate PDF that can be downloaded and is formatted for printing. The link to that changes every month as I update this resource.

Important Information:

• This is an unbiased view at the features across apps. I do not have a financial affiliation with any app developers.

• The information in this chart was compiled based on my extensive use of each app, in-depth trials of each app using the most current version on devices running the most current iOS, reading through app user guides, watching recent recorded webinars, consulting directly with app developers and providing them with the opportunity to review the content before this tool was published.

• Inclusion in the “Top 13” was based on features, long term availability in the App Store, good history of being updated, having patients who benefited from using the app, gathering data from app recommendations from SLPs who have expertise in AAC, etc.

• The purpose of this chart isn't to name a “best” app since the “best” AAC for that individual is the combination of options (variety of apps, SGDs, no-tech, etc.) that meets their needs at that moment in time.
  
  
• All apps included on this chart have varying levels of “robustness“. Inclusion of an app on this chart does NOT imply that it has the same overall robustness as another app on this chart. But that isn‘t discounting the importance of the features in those apps.

• I would not expect any app to have every feature in this chart nor would every feature be applicable to every potential AAC user.

• This app comparison chart is intended to be a tool to help SLPs and others make informed decisions when choosing iOS symbol-based AAC apps for consideration during the process of an AAC eval, feature matching and trial of options.

• It is important to try out any app with the potential user before making a purchasing recommendation or decision. This is also important when using any extra hardware (keyguards, switches, switch interfaces, carrying straps, stands, mounts, etc...) to support AAC use.

• There are many reasons why one would consider a traditional SGD vs. an iPad or any other tablet with an app: durability, warranty, tech support, built-in switch ports for scanning, eye gaze access, etc… But there are many folks who may not have a funding source for a traditional SGD. And there are things about having AAC on an iPad or iPhone that make it a great option for particular users.

• This PDF is intended to interactive so you can zoom in to see content and tap on links. It contains lots of links and those may not work if trying to use it in Safari or another browser. It's best viewed in the Books app on an iPad or a PDF viewer. One good free option is PDF Reader & Annotator app by Xodo Technologies Inc. that can be used on any platform (https://www.xodo.com/). If viewing in Xodo on a laptop, it may work best in older viewer: https://www.xodo.com/app-old/#/pdf. See this blog post for new info about Xodo: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/11/06/free-xodo-pdf-reader-app/

• This PDF is NOT formatted to be printed. Those who have purchased this product can access an alternative multipage printable version by using the link at the bottom of the PDF. The same terms of use apply to that document.

Terms of Use:

• You may not copy any part of this document (including the content, layout, format, ideas or design) and reproduce it or distribute it as your own work. Please do not copy/paste this info onto other blogs or save this PDF in any online groups or files.

• Your purchase is for a single license for personal use. You may not share any part of this document, links or the video with anyone. Instead, please refer them here to my TPT store where they can purchase their own copy

• If you are looking to purchase resources for several staff / team members, take a look at the Multiple Licenses discount (saves 20%)
  
• I assume no liability for app purchases and am not making patient-specific recommendations.

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NOTE: This resource is not intended to be used in Easel

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Looking for info about text-based AAC apps? Check out this resource: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-the-Top-13-iOS-Text-Based-AAC-Apps-7740844

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Looking for info about visual scene and video visual scene display AAC apps? Check out this resource: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-Visual-Scene-and-Video-Visual-Scene-Display-AAC-Apps-7811258
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Want all three of the AAC feature matching charts? Check out the bundle for a discount compared to purchasing them individually: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/AAC-Feature-Matching-Resource-Bundle-7849416

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Want an in-depth look at all of the digital PODD and other Pragmatic Vocabulary Organization AAC apps on iOS, Windows & multi-platform? Check out this resource: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-Pragmatic-Vocabulary-Organization-AAC-Apps-9234144

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Feature Matching Chart for Robust Android AAC Apps (Google Play & Amazon Fire): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-Robust-Android-AAC-Apps-Google-Play-Amazon-Fire-8400299

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There are lots of simple affordable and free AAC apps available for iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Windows and a few web-based options. See this resource for basic info about those apps: https://bit.ly/BasicAffordableAACchart (everything in that chart is priced under $10.00)

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The perfect companion to supplement these in-depth resources are the “AAC Apps and Features At-a-Glance (Single Page Handouts)”: https://bit.ly/AAC-At-a-Glance

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Need a simple way to navigate through which AAC apps to consider? Navigating Through AAC App Options (Webinar + Interactive Handout): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Navigating-Through-AAC-App-Options-Webinar-Interactive-Handout-8446159

Have questions? The best way to reach me with any questions is via messaging on the OMazing Kids Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/. That way AAC related messages don’t get lost among the spam in my e-mail.

Thanks for purchasing this resource from my TPT store!

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Omazing-Kids-Aac-Consulting