# VowelViz

> Real-time speech visualization tool for practicing vowel sounds and pronunciation. (iPhone/iPad app by SmartPalate International, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vowelviz/id740035896 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [SmartPalate International, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/739540897)
- Category: Education
- Price: $19.99 with in-app purchases
- Rating: 2.06/5 from 16 App Store ratings · 11 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.0 · 51 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2013-11-14
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vowelviz/id740035896/reviews.md

## What is VowelViz?

VowelViz is an innovative speech mapping tool that displays vowel production in real-time. With applications in speech therapy, accent reduction/second language learning, and home practice, VowelViz is a versatile and easy to use tool for practicing vowels. 
VowelViz provides a fun and engaging foundation to practice clear and consistent vowels, without guessing, in order to develop and strengthen muscle memory effectively. The app’s display is designed around the vowel quadrilateral and existing research on average vowel formants. When voicing is detected, an orange ball plots the position of the sound on the screen, presenting an easy to understand visual representation of the vowel. By tracking the movement and position of speech over time, learners can better visualize the movements needed for clear and distinct vowels. This understanding provides the framework to practice making those distinctions clear and precise. 

The vowel quadrilateral display shows learners where vowels are produced within the mouth. By moving their tongues up and down and forward and back in their mouths, learners gain control of their speech as they hear, feel and see the differences in sounds. This control allows them to find target vowels and practice them repeatedly until they become natural and fluent in their speech. Quadrants within the vowel quadrilateral act as relative targets and help users orient themselves to where in the mouth they should be producing the vowel. Learners are also able to see how their vowels compare with the researched averages of others. These averages are represented in the app as ranges around each vowel that can also function as relative targets for learning or improving vowels. 

VowelViz provides a platform to transition from simple to more complex speech. In addition to isolated sounds, it can be used to see and practice dipthongs, blends, and even words and phrases. An adjustable tail can be added to VowelViz’s speech tracker to increase understanding of how combinations of sounds work together to form words and other complex speech. The longer the tail, the more clear the connection between sounds. 

VowelViz is designed to be simple and easy to use so that anyone can practice clear, consistent vowel productions. The app is equipped with step-by-step instructions on how to use the various features and options. Also included in the app are diagrams, charts, and descriptions of IPA, the vowel quadrilateral, and vowel formants. Anyone who is unfamiliar with these terms can quickly learn to use VowelViz without any misunderstanding of the terminology or technical aspects used in the app. 

VowelViz by CompleteSpeech. See the difference.

## Key features

- Real-time vowel production visualization
- Vowel quadrilateral display
- Speech tracking with adjustable tail
- Practice diphthongs, blends, and words
- Visual representation of vowel formants
- Step-by-step instructions and diagrams

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $19.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade to VowelViz School | $19.99 | one-time |
| PlanetsTheme | $1.99 | one-time |
| FlowersTheme | $1.99 | one-time |
| BasicFlashcard | $4.99 | one-time |
| Spelling Theme | $1.99 | one-time |
| Colors Theme | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sports Theme | $1.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 11)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vowelviz/id740035896/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Worthless

*2023-09-07*

I am an SLP. I’ve had this app for years. It used to work well enough for R therapy— not perfect but still very helpful. More recently it is completely inaccurate and not useful at all. I wish the developers would update the app so it works again.

### 1/5 — Does not work

*2020-09-09*

I’m an SLP with a slight midwestern accent and I can not match any of my vowels on this app. Disappointed that I wasted my money and will not be using therapy.

### 1/5 — Waste of money.

*2020-08-04*

I could not simulate any accuracy for any of the vowels.  Such a great concept if it worked.

### 1/5 — Great potential

*2016-09-20*

This app is such a disappointment! I work with adults trying to improve their english pronunciation and it consistently misses most of the vowel sounds. For example: if you pronounce /i/ it registers the er sound (sorry, don't have the IPA symbols on my ipad). It's not just me. It even mistakes its own sample sounds! Tried using a microphone and it didn't help. Please make it more accurate! It could be such a great tool!

### 1/5 — Worthless

*2016-07-10*

I've taught English pronunciation for over 20 years. I had hoped this app would really help students with pronunciation, so I paid the ridiculous price for the app. Doesn't work consistently. What a mess. It was a total waste of money.

### 2/5 — Great technological design with flawed pedagogy and high price tag

*2015-10-22*

VowelViz makes commercially available (though not inexpensively) an app that can show visualizations of most (but not all) of the American vowel sounds. Users may need to adjust some of the options to make the visualizations of vowel ranges more usable. Other features come at a cost and the main pack of flash card includes numerous words without the target vowel (/ɔ/ and /ɜ˞/). While the app shows promise as a tool for younger learners working to acquire vowel sounds along with letter and word recognition, the lack of audio examples in the flash cards, the use of inauthentic vowel models in the audio files, and the expensive price you pay to work around these shortcomings makes this less than ideal as a tool to promote autonomous pronunciation practice. For the full review see the blog “Today’s English in the World.”

DJ Kaiser, PhD

### 5/5 — Best r app

*2015-03-03*

Wow! This app was used on a student in speech working on r for 4 years and in 15 min her could say his r with this app!

### 4/5 — Vowelviz

*2014-03-03*

I really like this app!  Its really helping my student find his /r/ and nothing else has worked so far!

### 5/5 — Awesome App!

*2014-02-08*

SLP's this app is amazing!  Works wonders for therapy regarding vowelized /r/ productions.  Will also help with other vowel distortions.

### 5/5 — Phenomenal speech therapy tool!!!

*2013-12-02*

This is truly a revolutionary tool for those in speech therapy. It is awesome.

## Frequently asked questions about VowelViz

### What is VowelViz used for?

VowelViz is a speech mapping tool designed to help users practice clear and consistent vowel production. It's beneficial for speech therapy, accent reduction, and second language learning by providing real-time visual feedback on vowel sounds.

### How does VowelViz help users improve their speech?

The app displays vowel production in real-time using a vowel quadrilateral. Users can see an orange ball plot their sound's position, helping them visualize tongue movements and understand where to produce specific vowels for clearer pronunciation.

### Can VowelViz be used for more than just single vowels?

Yes, VowelViz can be used to practice diphthongs, blends, and even words and phrases. An adjustable tail feature helps users understand the connection between sequential sounds in complex speech.

### Is VowelViz easy to use for beginners?

VowelViz is designed for simplicity and ease of use. It includes step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and explanations of technical terms like IPA and vowel formants, making it accessible to users unfamiliar with speech science.

### What is the price of VowelViz?

VowelViz is a paid application priced at $19.99. This one-time purchase grants access to all its features for improving speech clarity.

### What devices is VowelViz available on?

VowelViz is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is designed to run on Apple's mobile operating systems.

### How often is VowelViz updated?

The latest version of VowelViz is 1.1.6, which was released on July 10, 2015. The app was originally released on November 14, 2013.

### What is the user rating for VowelViz?

VowelViz has an average rating of 2.1 stars based on 16 user ratings. This suggests a mixed reception among its user base.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.1.6 — 2015-07-10

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Added 3 new themes to the app

### 1.1.5 — 2015-02-26

* Resolved tracking ball issue
* Changed information screen.

### 1.1.3 — 2015-02-06

*Flashcard Packages available for in-app purchase.
*Themes available for in-app purchase.
*Full upgrade to VowelViz Pro with new Vocalic R View.

### 1.1.2 — 2014-09-08

* Minor audio fix
* Changed the coordinates for the vowel /a/
* Adjusted the vowel quadrilateral image
* Changed the name of the app.

### 1.1.1 — 2014-05-08

Enhanced VowlViz with many more innovative options.

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## More apps by SmartPalate International, LLC

- [Speech Racer Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speech-racer-lite/id739540894)
- [VowelViz Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vowelviz-pro/id835534002)
- [Speech Racer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speech-racer/id1013928198)

All apps by SmartPalate International, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/739540897

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*