Comparison

Speech Assistant AAC vs Express Me (EN)

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

Head to head
About

Speech Assistant AAC

This text-to-speech app assists individuals with speech impairments by allowing them to create custom buttons with saved phrases and symbols. It offers a fully customizable interface, various voice options including AI clones, and can be used during phone calls. The app supports multiple user profiles and iCloud backups for easy data transfer.

Highlights
  • Customizable buttons with phrases and symbols
  • Multiple voice options including AI clones
  • Full-screen mode for large font display
  • Category and subcategory organization
  • User profiles for multiple individuals
  • iCloud backup and transfer
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Speech Assistant AAC is a text-to-speech app designed for people who are speech impaired, for example due to Aphasia, MND/ALS, Autism, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy or other speech problems. With the app you can create categories and save phrases on buttons for quick access and easy communication. You can also type messages using the iOS keyboard. The app is affordable with a one-time payment and no subscription. Key features • Easy to use and fully customizable to your needs and preferences. • Categories and subcategories to organize your phrases. • History feature to quickly access previously entered phrases. • Option to add symbols, emoji or photos to the buttons. • Full screen mode to display your messages in large font. • Autocomplete feature to display phrase suggestions in a drop-down list. • Tabs for multiple conversations. • Designed for iPhone and iPad, supports both portrait and landscape orientation. • Supports Apple Watch. • Backup to iCloud, Mail or AirDrop. Voices • You can choose a voice from any of the iOS system voices. • Supports ElevenLabs voices, giving you the option to use highly realistic AI professional voice clones. • Supports Apple's Personal Voice. • Option to create voice recordings for the buttons and to import voice recordings. Phone calls • The app can also be used while making Phone and FaceTime calls. • This works with iOS system voices and with iOS 18 also with ElevenLabs voices and regular recordings (app setting). Categories and phrases • Add, change or delete your own (sub)categories and phrases. • You can create an unlimited number of categories to organize your phrases for quick access. • Create user profiles with their own categories, phrases and settings for multi-language support or different individuals. • Easily edit category and phrase buttons with a long press. • With Backup to iCloud or AirDrop you can transfer your categories and phrases to another iPhone/iPad. Fully Customizable • The size of the buttons, the textbox and the text can be adjusted. • The app has various color schemes and you can also create a personal color scheme. • You can change the order of the buttons with drag and drop. Full screen • Show your message full screen with a very large font. • Useful for communicating in a noisy environment. • You can rotate the text to show your message to the person opposite of you. Speech • The rate and pitch of the speech can be adjusted. • Option to speak each Word or Character directly while typing. • Optional highlighting of the spoken words. • Pause and resume speaking by tapping the speak button (optional setting). Apple Watch • The Watch app can especially be useful for communicating short messages. • On the go, you don't have to pick up your phone and can quicky communicate with the app on your wrist. Other features • Button to share your message to mail, text and social media. • Connect a bluetooth keyboard and create shortcuts for actions. • A custom keyboard can be enabled in the settings with customizable size, color and layout. • Abbreviations expansion to reduce keystrokes. • Attention sound button on Main and Full screen. • Option to select symbols from the set of 3400 Mulberry Symbols (mulberrysymbols.org). About the app • This app is developed by ASoft. • The app does not collect any data, so all your conversations stay private. • One-time payment, there is no subscription fee. • The app has won an innovation award: The Vodafone Mobiles For Good Challenge. • The app does not require an internet connection. • For feedback or questions, please contact: speechassistant@asoft.nl. • On www.asoft.nl you can find more information such as a user manual.

About

Express Me (EN)

This app aids individuals with communication difficulties by offering a visual communication system. It allows users to express themselves independently in various daily situations through customizable images and categories.

Highlights
  • Visual communication with images
  • Customizable categories and images
  • Intuitive interface for communication challenges
  • Supports independent communication
  • Aphasia and communication disorder support
Features
Read full description

Express Me - Your voice, your story Communicate your way with Express Me. Our app supports people with communication difficulties, enabling them to participate in society again. What makes Express Me special? - Visual communication that works: Easily browse through categories with recognizable images to quickly find what you want to say - Fully customizable: Adjust categories, add your own images, and tailor the app completely to your daily needs - Designed with and for you: An intuitive interface that takes into account the challenges of communication difficulties Express Me gives you the freedom to communicate independently again in everyday situations. Whether you're ordering at a restaurant, explaining symptoms to a doctor, or just having a conversation with friends and family - Express Me provides the support you need. Who is Express Me for? Express Me has been developed in close collaboration with speech therapists and extensively tested by people with aphasia. The app is for anyone who: - Has aphasia after a stroke or brain injury - Struggles with communication disorders - Needs visual support for daily conversations Support Do you have questions or need help? Contact us via info@expressme.nl Greetings from Rick and Niek - Express Me https://expressme.nl https://www.linkedin.com/company/express-me https://www.instagram.com/express_me_app/ https://www.facebook.com/ExpressMeApp/ Terms and Conditions: https://expressme.nl/en/terms

Screenshots

Speech Assistant AAC4 screens
Express Me (EN)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Express Me (EN) at Free against Speech Assistant AAC's $24.99. Express Me (EN) also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5). Speech Assistant AAC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (104 vs 1). On update cadence and ads 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

Express Me (EN) is free to download; Speech Assistant AAC costs $24.99 up front. Express Me (EN) sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month. Speech Assistant AAC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Express Me (EN) holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Speech Assistant AAC has 104 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Speech Assistant AAC ships an update every 3 weeks, Express Me (EN) every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Speech Assistant AAC versus Express Me (EN): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpeech Assistant AACExpress Me (EN)
Price$24.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (104 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings104 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
Best chart rank#27 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.5 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size131 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTon SchalkeCornelis Adrianus Wilhelmes de Wit

Customer experience

Speech Assistant AAC

All ratings104 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral6.7%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive81.3%
Neutral9.9%
Negative8.8%

Express Me (EN)

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Speech Assistant AAC

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Default category button cannot be deleted
  • Images with transparent backgrounds turn white
  • Color picker does not work
  • Blank word slot in new subcategories cannot be deleted
  • Recorded or imported audio on buttons doesn't play on phone calls
Show 12 more
  • Cannot send voice message to WhatsApp
  • App crashes on iOS 17.5.1 on iPhone XS
  • Hex codes keep changing after input
  • Return key to send/speak disabled in latest update
  • Syncing from iPad to iPhone not happening
  • Categories don't stay on conversation when switching tabs
  • App keeps crashing/freezing
  • Option to not read directly seems to no longer work
  • Speech button not working
  • Syncing between iPhone and iPad not working
  • App crashes when another app uses speaker
  • Voice output not heard during phone calls

Requested features

42 requests
  • Ability to move sub-categories
  • Toggle for reading category names
  • Sub-sub-categories
  • Option to choose image files
  • Color picker for customization
Show 37 more
  • Delete blank word slot in subcategories
  • Send text to speech to WhatsApp
  • Shortcut to Control Panel
  • Ability to reset element sizes
  • Ability to clone own voice
  • Drag option for moving positions
  • Syncing between devices
  • More symbols for basic words
  • Control AI devices (Echo, Google)
  • Child voices for TTS
  • Option to use only iPhone/iPad speaker easily
  • Better autocorrect
  • Fix mispronunciation of words
  • Ability to print phrases from app
  • Change font size of settings/documentation
  • More than 5 choices in 'Clear/Restore'
  • Ability to create sub-categories
  • Record/import audio on phone calls
  • Full screen mode
  • Option for UK female voice
  • Draw within the app and convert to text
  • Customize buttons with color
  • Add own voice to phrases
  • Eye control app
  • Make pictures on text buttons appear in read-out windows
  • Use own pre-recorded voice
  • Text can be shown in large print
  • Add a lock on app configuration
  • Use own voice for TTS
  • More advanced audio options
  • Better integration with other apps
  • Option to not read directly when disabled
  • Full functionality access for recording sessions
  • Return key to send/speak functionality
  • Sync categories with conversation tabs
  • Ability to delete default category button
  • Support for other languages

Express Me (EN)

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Speech Assistant AAC

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Express Me (EN)

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription$11.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Speech Assistant AAC free?
Speech Assistant AAC costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Express Me (EN) free?
Express Me (EN) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Speech Assistant AAC or Express Me (EN)?
Express Me (EN) is rated higher. Speech Assistant AAC averages 4.5 out of 5 from 104 ratings, while Express Me (EN) averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Speech Assistant AAC or Express Me (EN) have ads?
Neither Speech Assistant AAC nor Express Me (EN) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Speech Assistant AAC or Express Me (EN)?
Speech Assistant AAC ships an update every 3 weeks, and Express Me (EN) every 2 weeks. Most recently, Speech Assistant AAC was updated on November 2, 2026 and Express Me (EN) on October 30, 2026.

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