Comparison

Communication Buttons vs Bamboo Reader

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

Head to head
About

Communication Buttons

This app offers a simple way to practice augmentative communication. Customize buttons with pictures and voice recordings to express words, phrases, or even songs. It's designed to demonstrate cause and effect and facilitate spontaneous communication.

Highlights
  • Customizable buttons
  • Picture customization
  • Voice recording
  • Multiple button layouts (1, 2, 4, 6)
  • Cause and effect demonstration
Read full description

Communication Buttons is THE app for simple augmentative communication. Choose 1 button, or sets of 2, 4 and 6 to use for touch communication. Each button can be customized with a picture and will accommodate voice recording. “Hello!” – and you’re spontaneously communicating, demonstrating cause and effect. State “yes,” or “no,” sing a song or tell a story. Keep a lookout for additional versions with special options.

About

Bamboo Reader

Master Chinese by importing any document, article, or voice recording. Get instant translations, build vocabulary with smart flashcards, and study offline. Supports HSK levels 1-6 for structured learning.

Highlights
  • Import documents, articles, and web content
  • Instant word translation with pinyin
  • Smart spaced repetition flashcards
  • Offline dictionary with 50,000+ entries
  • Progress tracking for HSK levels
  • Customizable vocabulary decks
Features
Read full description

Master Chinese by reading what you love! Import any document, get instant translations, and master vocabulary with smart flashcards. Try it free! MULTIMODAL — READ ANYTHING, LEARN EVERYTHING Import your own documents, articles, stories, photos, or voice recordings! Our built-in offline dictionary with pinyin support means you'll never get stuck on unknown words. SMART SPACED REPETITION Remember new words effortlessly with our intelligent flashcard system. Focus on what you need to learn, skip what you already know. COMPLETELY OFFLINE & PRIVATE Your learning data stays on your device. Study anywhere - on planes, trains, or anywhere without internet. HSK 1-6 STRUCTURED LEARNING Whether you're just starting or preparing for advanced exams, we have curated content for every level. FEATURES: - Import PDFs, documents, and web articles - Tap any word for instant translation - Create custom flashcard decks - Track your progress across HSK levels - Offline dictionary with 50,000+ entries - Export your vocabulary lists Perfect for students, professionals, and anyone looking to improve Chinese reading comprehension. Download now and start reading Chinese your way.

Screenshots

Communication Buttons4 screens
Bamboo Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Bamboo Reader at Free against Communication Buttons's $2.99. Bamboo Reader also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.5) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 37 months). Communication Buttons's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). On ratings volume, 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

Bamboo Reader is free to download; Communication Buttons costs $2.99 up front. Bamboo Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Communication Buttons asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bamboo Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Communication Buttons ships an update every 37 months, Bamboo Reader every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 3 level
Communication Buttons versus Bamboo Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCommunication ButtonsBamboo Reader
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating2.5 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 37 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB87 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperPreferred Mobile Applications, LLCTifany Pan

Customer experience

Communication Buttons

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bamboo Reader

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Communication Buttons

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Bamboo Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$89.99

Questions

Is Communication Buttons free?
Communication Buttons costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Bamboo Reader free?
Bamboo Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Communication Buttons or Bamboo Reader?
Bamboo Reader is rated higher. Communication Buttons averages 2.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Bamboo Reader averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Communication Buttons or Bamboo Reader have ads?
Neither Communication Buttons nor Bamboo Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Communication Buttons or Bamboo Reader?
Communication Buttons ships an update every 37 months, and Bamboo Reader every 9 days. Most recently, Communication Buttons was updated on October 24, 2026 and Bamboo Reader on October 9, 2026.

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