Comparison

Communication Buttons vs Play With ASL

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

Head to head
About

Communication Buttons

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Communication Buttons is THE app for simple augmentative communication. Choose 1 button, or sets of 2, 4 and 6 to use for touch communication. Each button can be customized with a picture and will accommodate voice recording and sequences of 2 and 3. “Ready?” “Set…” “Go!” – and you’re spontaneously communicating, demonstrating cause and effect as well as sequencing. State “yes,” or “no,” sing a song or tell a story in 2 to 3 parts. Keep a lookout for additional versions with special options.

About

Play With ASL

Learn American Sign Language through engaging mini-games. This app uses a gamified approach to help you memorize signs while having fun. Earn points and progress through interactive challenges.

Highlights
  • Gamified learning approach
  • Memory match mini-game
  • Memorize signs
  • Earn banana points
  • Interactive challenges
Features
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Play With ASL is a gamified approach to American Sign Language for kids, families, classrooms, and ASL learners of all backgrounds. Real ASL signing — filmed by deaf educators — meets fun mini-games designed to make vocabulary stick. == Memory Match == Flip cards to match ASL signs with their English meanings across 12 themed packs: Animals, Camping, Colors, Food, Nature, Vehicles, Crafts, Emotions, Jobs, Space, Travel, and Weather. Earn stars and help Apollo the monkey collect bananas as you build your vocabulary. == TILT! == A brand-new motion-based mini-game. Tilt your device to guide signs through the screen — an active, hands-on way to reinforce the vocabulary you learn. == Free + Subscription == Two packs (Animals + Colors) are free for everyone — try the games before you commit. Unlock the full library of 12 packs across every game with a Monthly or Yearly subscription, or buy individual packs as one-time purchases. == What Makes Us Different == - Every sign filmed by deaf ASL educators - No third-party advertising - No data sold or shared with brokers - Designed with families and classroom use in mind - Account sync across iPhone and iPad - Cancel subscription anytime in Apple Settings == Always Growing == Memory Match and TILT! are just the start. We're actively building more mini-games, story modes, and content packs. Your subscription includes every future addition we ship. Questions, feedback, or ideas? Visit www.playwithasl.com or write to us at jon@playwithasl.com. Made by the Play With ASL team — small studio, big goals. Terms of Use: https://www.playwithasl.com/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://www.playwithasl.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Communication Buttons4 screens
Play With ASL3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Play With ASL at Free against Communication Buttons's $4.99. Play With ASL also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 24 months). Communication Buttons's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On 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

Play With ASL is free to download; Communication Buttons costs $4.99 up front. Play With ASL sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Communication Buttons asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Communication Buttons ships an update every 24 months, Play With ASL every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Communication Buttons versus Play With ASL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCommunication ButtonsPlay With ASL
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating—4.7 (409 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—70.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—409 — better
Update frequencyEvery 24 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB132 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPreferred Mobile Applications, LLCPlay With ASL LLC

In-app purchases

None

Communication Buttons

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Play With ASL

Subscriptions2
  • PWA Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • PWA Yearly Subscription$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • Memory Match Category Pack 1$0.99
  • PWA Card Pack$1.99

Questions

Is Communication Buttons free?
Communication Buttons costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Play With ASL free?
Play With ASL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Communication Buttons or Play With ASL have ads?
Neither Communication Buttons nor Play With ASL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Communication Buttons or Play With ASL?
Communication Buttons ships an update every 24 months, and Play With ASL every 6 weeks. Most recently, Communication Buttons was updated on October 26, 2026 and Play With ASL on October 30, 2026.

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