# Speech Blubs vs First Words

The clearest difference is price: Speech Blubs at Free against First Words's $19.00. Speech Blubs also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (57K vs 1). First Words's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and ads (none vs shown). On device support there is nothing between them.

Speech Blubs is free to download; First Words costs $19.00 up front. Speech Blubs sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $14.49 per month. First Words asks for nothing beyond the download.

First Words holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Speech Blubs has 57K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Speech Blubs's written reviews are positive against 100% of First Words's.

Speech Blubs ships an update every 8 days, First Words every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Speech Blubs | First Words |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $19.00 |
| Rating | [4.6 (57K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speech-blubs-language-therapy/id1239522573/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-words-talkable/id1285182049/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **57K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 67.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Paid** |
| Best chart rank | **#37** | — |
| Size | 305 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Blub Blub Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1233091328) | [Karen Nitsche](https://appshunter.io/developer/1285182048) |

## What reviewers say

### Speech Blubs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speech-blubs-language-therapy/id1239522573)

**Currently charting:** #37 Top Grossing · Education, #89 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

This voice-controlled app helps children aged 1-8 learn new sounds and words through engaging video modeling and interactive exercises. It offers a safe, ad-free learning environment with positive reinforcement and access to a vast library of activities and parent resources.

**Highlights:** Voice-controlled speech therapy, Video modeling for learning, 1500+ exercises and activities, Face filters and mini-games, Parent's Academy with articles, Positive reinforcement system, Multiple language options

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Show of Support - Monthly | $14.49 | per month |
| Boost your child's speech! | $14.49 | per month |
| Show of Support - Monthly | $14.49 | per month |
| Show of Support - Monthly | $14.49 | per month |
| Show of Support - Annual | $29.49 | per year |
| Show of Support - Annual | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good for kids
- 👍 Helps with speech development
- 👍 Engaging and fun
- 👍 Effective in improving speech
- 👍 Fantastic support tool

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes frequently
- 🐛 Glitchy and buggy
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with microphone and camera access
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 💰 Deceptive free trial and billing practices

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Microphone and camera issues
- Inconsistent functionality across devices
- Billing and subscription problems

**Requested features**

- More diverse and age-appropriate content
- Ability to focus on specific speech sounds
- Offline mode
- Better volume and audio controls
- Improved parental controls and child lock


### First Words

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-words-talkable/id1285182049)

This app offers a ten-week program to support your baby's language development from infancy to toddlerhood. It provides weekly videos, baby sign language, and engaging activities to help nurture first words and communication skills.

**Highlights:** Ten-week language development program, Weekly video tutorials, Baby sign language (40 key signs), Interactive book-sharing sessions, Hands-on, playful activities, Book recommendations for language learning, Progress tracking for first words

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Speech Blubs free?

Speech Blubs is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is First Words free?

First Words costs $19.00, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Speech Blubs or First Words?

First Words is rated higher. Speech Blubs averages 4.6 out of 5 from 57K ratings, while First Words averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Speech Blubs or First Words have ads?

Speech Blubs shows ads; First Words does not.

### Which is updated more often, Speech Blubs or First Words?

Speech Blubs ships an update every 8 days, and First Words every 8 months. Most recently, Speech Blubs was updated on September 27, 2026 and First Words on September 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*