Comparison

pasco vs PiCom

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

Head to head
About

pasco

Features
Read full description

pasco (Phrase Auditory Scanning COmmunicator) is a simple app for those with a visual difficulty and physical difficulty who may require features not available in other AAC apps. For example: - Ability to have an auditory cue in one language with the main voice in another - Auditory Cues and Main output can be different audio files - Require a rapid pre-auditory cue. - A way of spelling by auditory scanning - Language is organised by a text only file (Generated in-app or in a text editor or mind map editor). You will need a switch box to make this work for your client. The app supports space / enter - which most switch boxes support. Please note: This app is not currently accessible with iOS switch control except as a recipe using the on-screen navigation. Note this is very much an experiment as of right now. Please contact your local AAC service for guidance on whether this is the correct solution for your needs.

About

PiCom

This communication aid uses picture symbols and text-to-speech to assist individuals with speaking difficulties. It allows for customization of communication boards, supports various input methods, and can be used offline.

Highlights
  • Picture symbol communication
  • Text-to-speech and recorded voice output
  • Offline functionality
  • Customizable communication boards
  • Supports Open Board Format (.obf/.obz)
  • Multiple input methods (switches, controllers, etc.)
  • Accessibility features (high contrast, zoom)
Features
Read full description

PiCom is an Augmentative Alternative Communication system (AAC) , which can be used within healthcare systems such as the UK's NHS, the schools systems, at home or when out and about. PiCom is a picture symbol communicator with text to speech or recorded voice output, that runs on a wide range of tablets, phones and computers. PiCom does not require a web connection to use as a communication aid. PiCom is designed to assist people who have difficulty speaking, due to a medical situation (short or long term). It can also be of great help in special education. PiCom brings change and more choice to digital communication aids. PiCom also supports the new Apple Personal Voice feature. Any personal voices created, will show within PiCom along with all other voices available on the device. Please note Personal Voice is only available on certain Apple devices at iOS17. PiCom has the great advantage in being able to open and create communication boards or grids with the Open Board Format (.obf or obz). This means that boards can be freely exchanged between users, creators and the AAC Apps that can support Open Board format. When you download PiCom, it includes a range of well established communicator grids from experts in the field. You can then edit these, changing images and names to help the communication aid user. PiCom also has is own set of communication symbols, as well as linking to other symbols and the ability to use your own photos (and sounds). The advantages continue, because you can edit or create boards in PiCom, and share to your user's device or computer - the PiCom app and boards will be the same on all devices, including within a web browser. PiCom is also highly accessible for people who might have physical difficulties using a device. PiCom can be operated with bluetooth switches, Microsoft X Box Controller and Microsoft Adaptive Control, special external mice, some novel light touch control methods as well as face control. PiCom has some helpful visual features, allowing background and button colours to be modified extensively. It has a high contrast display and a zoom capability. PICOM FEATURE LIST 1. PiCom includes a range of proven communicator templates, that can be used immediately and expanded or edited. 2. Connects to the text to speech voices on your device, giving a wide range of voice choices in many languages. Also supports Apple Personal Voice feature when available. 3. You can import (and export) existing created communication boards that are in the Open Board Format (file format .obf or .obz) 4. Edit buttons on existing and new boards, changing background colors, import different symbols, images or photos, change the labels and change the text that is spoken. Add recorded audio to buttons also, using the record feature or import audio. 5. Create your own Communicators and boards from scratch, you can define sizes, use the button editor to populate each button, and export or share the creator communicator in the Open Board format .obz 6. Many access control input methods are available for PiCom, including touch, touch zoom, mouse wheel control, joystick, X Box Controller, gamepad D pad/cursor key control, , switch control, face control and micro touchpad control. Microsoft Adaptive Controller and X Box controller support inbuilt, as most recent devices now support this controller. 7. PiCom can be run as a full screen communicator, or show the selected text/symbols in a viewing windows top or bottom 8. PiCom can operate in both landscape mode and portrait mode. 9. PiCom does not require an internet connection to work as a communicator. Internet is required to share and download new boards. 10. PiCom does not require an account to be created, contains no adverts and does not track data for external usage. 11. Over 2000 PiCom symbols included and available to boards and available from free download from our website at www.sensoryapphouse.com

Screenshots

pasco4 screens
PiCom4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PiCom at every 3 weeks against pasco's every 2 months. pasco's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

pasco ships an update every 2 months, PiCom every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
pasco versus PiCom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterpascoPiCom
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB93 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperAce CentreSensory App House Ltd

In-app purchases

None

pasco

No in-app purchases

None

PiCom

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is pasco free?
pasco is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PiCom free?
PiCom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do pasco or PiCom have ads?
Neither pasco nor PiCom shows ads.
Which is updated more often, pasco or PiCom?
pasco ships an update every 2 months, and PiCom every 3 weeks. Most recently, pasco was updated on September 10, 2026 and PiCom on September 11, 2026.

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