Comparison

ALA vs Symbol Overlay Maker

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

Head to head
About

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Create printable symbol overlays
  • Supports speech devices and switches
  • Includes SymbolStix symbol set
  • Supports core words and activities
  • Printable for home and classroom use
Features
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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 call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ALA sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Symbol Overlay Maker asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
ALA versus Symbol Overlay Maker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterALASymbol Overlay Maker
PriceFreeFree
Rating—2.3 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size352 MB142 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAttainment CompanyAbleNet

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ALA

One-time1
  • Full Version$39.99
None

Symbol Overlay Maker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ALA free?
ALA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Symbol Overlay Maker free?
Symbol Overlay Maker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ALA or Symbol Overlay Maker have ads?
Neither ALA nor Symbol Overlay Maker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ALA or Symbol Overlay Maker?
ALA ships an update every 3 months, and Symbol Overlay Maker every 6 months. Most recently, ALA was updated on October 26, 2026 and Symbol Overlay Maker on October 24, 2026.

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