Shape Coding Lite vs Twinkl Symbols AAC System
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Shape Coding Lite
This app uses a visual coding system to help children and young people with language disorders improve sentence structure and grammar. It employs colors, arrows, lines, and shapes to represent word classes, tense, and sentence structure, aiding in understanding and producing English sentences.
- Visual coding system for grammar
- Color-coded word classes
- Arrow indicators for tense
- Line indicators for plurality
- Shape indicators for syntax
- Text-to-speech functionality
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SHAPE CODING® Lite is a free demonstration version of the full SHAPE CODING® app. This is designed for teachers and speech and language therapists / pathologists to use with children and young people who are having difficulties producing and understanding English sentence structure and grammar. As with the full SHAPE CODING® app, it uses the SHAPE CODING® system which has been shown in several research projects to help children and young people with language disorders increase the length and complexity of sentences they can understand and use and improve the accuracy of their sentence production. The SHAPE CODING® Lite app has less functionality and flexibility than the full SHAPE CODING® app but can be used to form simple sentences. The SHAPE CODING® system uses a visual coding system to show the rules for how words are put together in sentences, to develop the child’s understanding of spoken and written grammar and to develop their ability to use grammar successfully to express themselves. The system includes use of colours (word classes), arrows (tense and aspect) , lines (singular and plural) and shapes (syntactic structure). These are all included in the app (although not all are enabled in the Lite version), but the professional controlling the app can choose which features display for the student, so that it is personalised to their current levels and targets. Settings are preserved for the student between uses. The Lite app allows only a single teacher and student, but the full version can have multiple teachers and students. The SHAPE CODING® Lite app is equipped with a basic set of words which can be inserted into those shapes which are enabled to make simple sentences. A much wider range of shape options are enabled in the full version than the Lite version, so more grammatical rules can be taught and more complex sentences created. The app uses text-to-speech, so that students who struggle to read can also use the app. This app assumes a certain degree of familiarity with the SHAPE CODING system. For more information see www.shapecoding.com. Training on how to use the SHAPE CODING(R) system is available from https://training.moorhouseinstitute.co.uk/. For a demonstration of the features of the full version of the app (some of which are also enabled in the Lite version), see: https://shapecoding.com/demo-videos/, and for Frequently Asked Questions see: https://shapecoding.com/app-info/faqs/ Follow us on Twitter @ShapeCoding, Facebook @ShapeCoding and Instagram @shape_coding or if you have any problems or feedback, please contact us at training@moorhouseschool.co.uk Please review our privacy policy https://shapecoding.com/privacy-policy-apple/
Twinkl Symbols AAC System
This app provides a comprehensive Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system designed for individuals with special educational or speech, language, and communication needs. It offers a vast library of symbols, customizable creation tools, and ready-made templates to facilitate communication, learning, and daily routines.
- 8,000+ trusted symbols
- Custom symbol creation
- 100+ ready-made templates
- Symbolized timers and timetables
- Reward charts and debrief templates
- Printable resources
- Apple Watch integration
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Twinkl Symbols: The Power of a Clear Voice. The pain of finding a clear, trusted AAC system is real. You’re constantly navigating the challenge of helping children and adults with special educational or speech, language and communication needs find their voice. It takes time, energy, and resources you don't always have. We get it. Because we’re teachers, too. Twinkl Symbols is the communication tool built to cut the chaos. Created by expert SPED educators, it’s designed to transform your classroom by giving every learner the power to participate, choose, and connect—all completely free. Stop scrambling for differentiated support. Start building futures. Why Twinkl Symbols is Your New Best Colleague DESIGN & CREATE: More time teaching, less time building. Stop searching, start teaching. Access over 8,000 trusted symbols instantly, all broken down into clear, easy-to-find categories. Give every learner what they need. Choose between color or black and white symbols to perfectly suit their sensory needs and preferences. Keep it personal and organized. Quickly create and file your own custom symbols using our huge library of Twinkl illustrations or even your own camera roll photos. Ditch the busy work. Use 100+ ready-made templates to instantly create personalized boards, flashcards, and word banks without starting from scratch. Simplify planning and routines. Use customizable symbolized timers, timetables, and 'now and next' boards to help learners feel calm and in control of their day. Address behaviour with clarity. Reward charts and debrief templates empower you to help learners understand their feelings and behaviors. SHARE & COMMUNICATE: Giving you back your voice, too. You don’t need to be a tech expert. Intuitive swipe controls and easy-to-manage scroll views mean you can quickly access the symbols and content you’re looking for—no complicated instructions needed. Get your work-life balance back. Easily back up and share all your creations across your iOS devices or with other Twinkl Symbols users. Print your resources in a flash. Easily print your custom boards and communication books directly from the app. No workarounds required. Total control, zero stress. Visibility settings let you show or hide specific app categories, ensuring the tool is perfectly tailored to your exact needs. Empower communication on the go. Access personalized solutions and edit your symbols straight from your Apple Watch, so you can communicate effectively anywhere, any time. A TRUSTED VOICE IN YOUR CORNER We speak your language. All app content was created by our specialist team of SPED expert educators who have lived the classroom life. Support that's actually human. Get 24/7 support from the lovely Twinkl Cares team—yes, you can always speak to a real person. No bots or long lines. The Twinkl Symbols app is currently free for Twinkl members and non-members alike. In the future, as the app grows, some features may only be accessible with a Twinkl membership or an in-app subscription. We hope you enjoy using Twinkl Symbols, and we’d love to hear your feedback and ideas! Privacy Policy: https://www.twinkl.com/legal#privacy-policy Terms and Conditions: https://www.twinkl.com/legal#terms-and-conditions
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Twinkl Symbols AAC System at 82% against Shape Coding Lite's 0%. Twinkl Symbols AAC System also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months). Shape Coding Lite's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, monetization model 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. Twinkl Symbols AAC System sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Shape Coding Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.
Shape Coding Lite ships an update every 7 months, Twinkl Symbols AAC System every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and August 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Shape Coding Lite | Twinkl Symbols AAC System |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.7 (309 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 82.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 309 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 357 MB | 558 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Moor House School & College | Twinkl Limited |
Customer experience
Shape Coding Lite
Twinkl Symbols AAC System
Bugs and requests
Shape Coding Lite
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Twinkl Symbols AAC System
Reported bugs
11 issues- Voice stopped working after last update
- App closes when going to voice settings
- Maths question feature pops up unexpectedly
- Custom symbols not appearing on shared boards
- Lost custom symbols when sharing boards
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- Button section not working
- App keeps crashing
- Misspelled word 'fifteen' cannot be edited
- Says out of date on first download
- Cannot get pictures to come up
- Communication/chat boards missing link back to home page
Requested features
10 requests- Folders inside boards for more options
- More board size options
- Ability to add folders on the board
- Spell check feature
- Option to make buttons bigger
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- Keep the app free
- Login option to sync boards between app and website
- Option to share custom symbol folders
- Link Twinkl account and Symbols app
- Alphabetical order for saved boards
In-app purchases
Shape Coding Lite
No in-app purchases
Twinkl Symbols AAC System
- One Month Subscription$1.991 Month
- Annual Subscription$9.991 Year
Questions
Is Shape Coding Lite free?
Is Twinkl Symbols AAC System free?
Do Shape Coding Lite or Twinkl Symbols AAC System have ads?
Which is updated more often, Shape Coding Lite or Twinkl Symbols AAC System?
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