ALA vs Symbol Overlay Maker
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ALA
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Technology-based approach for writing instruction *Note: This free version only includes the We Beat the Street story, the rest are available as an in-app purchase. This technology-aided instruction for writing complements Teaching to Standards: English Language Arts and is companion product for reading (Access Language Arts). Students write grade-aligned opinion paragraphs about eight adapted pieces of literature, including fiction and nonfiction. Students are supported step by step in constructing personalized paragraphs. Includes activities to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary development. Researched and proven effective in secondary classrooms. Integrate during instruction using Teaching to Standards: ELA, or use this app alone to achieve standards-aligned skills in both reading and writing. Stories include: Holes, The Outsiders, Number the Stars, Dragonwings, We Beat the Street, Neighbors, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Sadako.
Symbol Overlay Maker
Easily create printable symbol overlays for communication devices and switches. Supports core words, classroom activities, and home communication with a large symbol library.
- Create printable symbol overlays
- Supports speech devices and switches
- Includes SymbolStix symbol set
- Supports core words and activities
- Printable for home and classroom use
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The AbleNet Symbol Overlay app supports best outcomes by providing an easy way for therapists, teachers, and parents to quickly create printable symbol overlays for AbleNet speech devices and accessibility switches. Individuals benefit from the added context and support a symbol overlay provides. The AbleNet Symbol Overlay Maker app now includes the best-in-class SymbolStix symbol set with thousands of high-quality symbols. Create and print symbol overlays to support core words, activities in the classroom, and communication at home.
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Symbol Overlay Maker at none against ALA's 1. On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. ALA sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Symbol Overlay Maker asks for nothing beyond the download.
ALA ships an update every 3 months, Symbol Overlay Maker every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ALA | Symbol Overlay Maker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 2.3 (4 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 4 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 352 MB | 142 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Attainment Company | AbleNet |
In-app purchases
ALA
- Full Version$39.99
Symbol Overlay Maker
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is ALA free?
Is Symbol Overlay Maker free?
Do ALA or Symbol Overlay Maker have ads?
Which is updated more often, ALA or Symbol Overlay Maker?
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