Dyslexia Reader by MDA vs TD Talk
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dyslexia Reader by MDA
This app uses OCR technology to convert printed text into a readable format, aiding children with dyslexia. It offers features like finger-tracking, multiple reading views, and hints to support independent reading and comprehension.
- OCR text capture
- Finger-tracking word guidance
- Multiple reader views (page, sentence, word)
- Distraction-free modes
- Reading hints and comprehension tools
- Offline functionality
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Dyslexia Reader by MDA provides evidence-based support and hints enabling children with dyslexia to read independently. This app uses the OCR technology to translate the text captured as a picture into a readable format and can be used to read any printed material – storybooks, textbooks, and newspapers. A clean, distraction-free interface packed with rich features makes the app an essential tool that can be used in tandem with other strategies for dyslexia. Try Dyslexia Reader by MDA free for 14 days & choose from our affordable subscription plans to continue using all of its exciting features. Why use Dyslexia Reader by MDA? + Use books you already have Use any age-appropriate books you have from your child’s school syllabus. You do not need any special PDFs or web resources and can add a page by simply capturing an image with text in it. Several pages can also be added at the same time. + Enables finger-reading The pencil icon on the reading page can be dragged with the help of a finger. With this, the child can track the words they are reading.This also lowers convergence difficulties while aiding hand-eye coordination. A red underline is used to mark the words already read to avoid rereading the same. An indicator shows the next word to be read. The pointer can be easily re-positioned by double-tapping the new word. + Promotes stress-free reading Multiple reader view gives the child the option to read only one part of the text at a time. There are three different reader views on the app. - Page view shows the entire page - Sentence view shows only one sentence at a time - Word view shows just one word + Promotes distraction-free reading Multiple features create a distraction-free reading experience for the child - Use Plain-text mode to remove background images to show only bare text - The Focus button highlights a single line on the page which contains the current word to read. This maintains the child's visual focus on the highlighted word, and helps avoid visual over stimulation. This feature works in both text and photo mode. + Hints to encourage reading When the child finds it difficult to read a particular word, they can tap the Hint button. This ensures that the child is not discouraged by a new or seemingly difficult word. Additionally, the use of Hints will also stimulate phonemic and conceptual understanding. A variety of Hints available on the app are - - Rhyming words and images - Word family hints - Hints for starting, middle and end blends + Build comprehension skills The Build feature helps in parsing the sentences in the text and focusing on the smaller syntactic units. When building, the app shows the text, one sentence at a time. Tapping the “Build more” button gradually builds up the sentence. This enables children to comprehend the text more effectively. + Key features - No active internet connection required after download - Import a PDF document quickly to your library - Share your already-reviewed pages with other MDA Dyslexia Reader users - Easily customize settings - Seamless keyboard integration for reviewing - User-friendly buttons for simple understanding - Prompt support on mail and chat - Real-life text analysis - High-quality text-to-speech feature - Screen-masking to aid focusing - Synchronized highlighting of text - Hints available as rhyming words and images - Colored overlays to assist readers with Irlen Syndrome - Breaking down words into syllables - Word families based on syllables - Configurable speed and progress - Independent and assisted user flows - Download exciting books from within the app Dyslexia Reader by MDA is developed by Madras Dyslexia Association. It is based on 20+ years of research carried out by the reputed Madras Dyslexia Association. We're always excited to hear from you! If you have any query or feedback, please email us at support@samartya.com Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
TD Talk
This app enables communication for individuals unable to use their voice or hands. It offers text-to-speech functionality through eye-tracking or touch input, supporting a wide range of languages and voices for natural conversation.
- Eye-tracking communication
- Touch input for typing
- Customized predictive sentence construction
- In-sentence editing
- 35+ languages and voices
- Face-to-face conversation mode
- QuickMessages for common phrases
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TD Talk is a text to speech app that empowers people to talk using just their eyes or fingers. It’s designed for literate adults who cannot use their voice, their hands or both, including people with disabilities such as ALS/MND, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and locked-in syndrome. When used with TD Pilot, an iPad-based, eye tracking-enabled speech generating device by Tobii Dynavox, it unlocks the ability to: • talk using just your eyes via the world’s leading eye tracking technology • talk using just your fingers, by typing the words you want to speak • join any conversation with fast, customized, predictive sentence construction • correct typos with in-sentence editing using just your eyes • express yourself in 35+ languages and voices • have face-to-face conversations via the Partner Window on a TD Pilot device Join the conversation TD Talk empowers people to communicate who they are and what they want to say, in the most fluid way possible: Converse naturally • participate naturally in dialogue by displaying your typed text to your conversation partner in the rear-facing Partner Window on a TD Pilot device • select your language of choice and switch to it seamlessly Express yourself quickly • remain an active part of any conversation with the ability to use predicted text and to edit errors directly within a sentence • maintain a more natural speaking pace with QuickMessages, pre-programmed common and custom phrases such as ‘I need help’ and ‘wait please, I’m typing’ Sound like yourself • express yourself more fluidly thanks to phrase prediction, which learns and adapts to your personal communication style • choose from a selection of voices to find one you most identify with • Import a custom synthetic voice that mimics your natural one with voice banking from one of the following vendors: Acapela (my-own-voice), Model Talker, The Voice Keeper, ElevenLabs Using TD Talk without TD Pilot Some people may want to try TD Talk on an iPad without using TD Pilot, such as: • those with progressive degenerative conditions transitioning from touch to eye gaze access • clinicians who want to try TD Talk on behalf of their clients • hospitals and other institutions PLEASE NOTE, using TD Talk on an iPad without the TD Pilot device will mean: • touch access only (no eye tracking access) • a smaller selection of languages and voices For more information Visit: us.tobiidynavox.com/products/td-talk Customer support: us.tobiidynavox.com/pages/contact-us
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: TD Talk at 4.2 against Dyslexia Reader by MDA's 3.5. TD Talk also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (75% vs 60%). Dyslexia Reader by MDA's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.2). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Dyslexia Reader by MDA sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. TD Talk asks for nothing beyond the download.
TD Talk holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Dyslexia Reader by MDA's written reviews are positive against 75% of TD Talk's.
Dyslexia Reader by MDA ships an update every 3 months, TD Talk every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Dyslexia Reader by MDA | TD Talk |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (4 ratings) | 4.2 (11 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 11 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 203 MB | 305 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Avaz, Inc. | Tobii Dynavox LLC |
Customer experience
Dyslexia Reader by MDA
TD Talk
In-app purchases
Dyslexia Reader by MDA
- Reader 1 Month Subscription$1.991 Month
- Reader 6 Months Subscription$9.996 Months
- Reader 1 Year Subscription$14.991 Year
TD Talk
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Dyslexia Reader by MDA free?
Is TD Talk free?
Which has better reviews, Dyslexia Reader by MDA or TD Talk?
Do Dyslexia Reader by MDA or TD Talk have ads?
Which is updated more often, Dyslexia Reader by MDA or TD Talk?
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