Comparison

Communication Buttons vs First Sounds

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

First Sounds

Read full description

Help your child practise first sounds, syllables, and everyday words at home. FirstSound combines playful voice activities, clear visual feedback, and parent-created practice in one calm, child-friendly app. FEATURES - Guided word and syllable activities with simple prompts - Everyday words for needs, choices, and feelings - A live loudness meter with clear green-zone feedback - Voice-reactive AR activities - Separate child profiles, history, and free PDF reports - Custom words and syllables with your own picture and parent voice recording - Interface in 16 supported languages and Parent Gate for purchases or external links - Works offline and requires no FirstSound account PRO SUBSCRIPTION - Full practice catalog and AR activities - Create words and syllables tailored to your child - Add an image from your photo library and record a familiar parent voice - Eligible users can receive a three-day free trial - Subscription renews automatically unless cancelled PRIVACY AND SAFETY FirstSound is for home practice and is not a medical device. The microphone measures live loudness during activities. A voice recording is stored only when a parent chooses to create one. When iCloud is available, progress, parent-created activities, pictures, and recordings are backed up only to the user's private iCloud account. FirstSound cannot access them. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Communication Buttons4 screens
First Sounds4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: First Sounds at Free against Communication Buttons's $2.99. First Sounds also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 37 months). Communication Buttons's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

First Sounds is free to download; Communication Buttons costs $2.99 up front. First Sounds sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Communication Buttons asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Communication Buttons ships an update every 37 months, First Sounds every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 4 level
Communication Buttons versus First Sounds: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCommunication ButtonsFirst Sounds
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating2.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 37 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPreferred Mobile Applications, LLCValeriia Shchelkanova

In-app purchases

None

Communication Buttons

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

First Sounds

One-time1
  • Pro Unlock$5.99

Questions

Is Communication Buttons free?
Communication Buttons costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is First Sounds free?
First Sounds is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Communication Buttons or First Sounds have ads?
Neither Communication Buttons nor First Sounds shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Communication Buttons or First Sounds?
Communication Buttons ships an update every 37 months, and First Sounds every 3 weeks. Most recently, Communication Buttons was updated on October 24, 2026 and First Sounds on October 25, 2026.

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