# Communication Buttons vs Bamboo Reader

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Communication Buttons | Bamboo Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/communication-buttons/id1461342552/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bamboo-reader-read-chinese/id6746738856/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2** | 1 |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 37 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Size | 30 MB | 87 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Preferred Mobile Applications, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/779885959) | [Tifany Pan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1816393725) |

## What reviewers say

### Communication Buttons

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/communication-buttons/id1461342552)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Bamboo Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bamboo-reader-read-chinese/id6746738856)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $34.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $89.99 | one-time |


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