simPODD vs Keyguard Designer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
simPODD
This app simplifies augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for individuals who cannot speak. It integrates digital PODD page sets with a printing interface, offering streamlined editing and access to various vocabulary options. Designed in collaboration with the PODD system's creator, it aims to make communication more accessible and efficient.
- Digital PODD page sets
- Integrated printing interface
- Streamlined editing
- SymbolStix integration
- Multiple text-to-speech voices
- Regionally specific vocabulary
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simPODD is an app for the popular PODD system that makes communication more simple for those who can’t speak. Built in collaboration with Gayle Porter, it’s the only PODD app for iPad to bring digital page sets and a printing interface into one app. From the makers of Proloquo2Go, this augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app is sure to become a favorite among PODD users, because it's the only PODD app built specifically for their needs. “simPODD’s integration of PODD communication books and electronic page sets in a single product supports people to "say what I want to say, to whoever, whenever and however I choose to say it.” - Gayle Porter, creator of the PODD system Highlights • Access to all PODD digital page sets: 15 Preschool, 15+ Preschool, 15 School, 15+ School, 60 Complex Syntax, 60 Expanded Key Word • Fully integrated printing interface in the app to print direct access individual and group PODD books (with yearly subscription) • Streamlined and simplified editing process • Uses SymbolStix • Regionally specific vocabulary and American, British and Australian voices • 38 natural-sounding text-to-speech voices including genuine children’s voices • Free 1-month trial How it works simPODD makes using PODD much simpler. First, it brings the digital page sets and printing experience into one app. No need to manage different payments and subscriptions, or learn how to use multiple programs. It’s all rolled into one. It’s easy to use, no matter who you are: parent, teacher, speech therapist or PODD user. Customizing and editing digital page sets is also very straightforward with simPODD. Quickly edit the vocabulary, create new buttons and link folders without following a lot of complicated steps. Since we worked closely with PODD users while building the app, we took all of the hassle and frustration out of these processes. The easiest PODD book printing experience The printing function for PODD books is right inside the app. Just select a book and customize. Print the book all at once, instead of page by page. It only takes a few minutes! You can create as many books as you need, and print them for all of the people in a PODD communicator’s life. What is PODD? PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display) is a popular AAC system created and owned by Gayle Porter. PODD organizes vocabulary around communication function and predicted likely usage to make it more efficient to get something across. PODD's range of books and page sets support language development from first words to complex syntax. The books and page sets for early communicators also include strategies like pragmatic branch starters. This supports more intelligible and varied communication. Comprehensive support We’re there for you every step of the way. Help articles on the website are there to guide you through set up. New to AAC? Our website has background resources in the Learn AAC section. You can also connect directly with our community on our Facebook groups. Questions? Our support team is available 7 days a week. Choose the subscription that’s right for you: Yearly Digital + Print or Monthly Digital. Yearly Digital + Print • Print direct access PODD books right from the app • Full access to all of the digital page sets • Regular updates • Save money - 2 months free compared to the monthly subscription Monthly Digital • Full access to all of the digital page sets • Regular updates • Cancel month to month, so you only pay for what you use • An inexpensive way to try PODD Try the app out with our 1-month free trial! How payment works • Payments will be charged to your Apple ID (after your free trial ends) • Subscriptions renew automatically. Payment is charged 24 hours before the current subscription period ends • Don’t want to renew? Cancel more than 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period • Want to cancel or change your subscription? Manage it in your account settings on the App Store
Keyguard Designer
Design custom keyguards for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps on iPad. Quickly create and preview personalized layouts with various attachment options. Supports popular AAC applications and allows saving or emailing professional design drawings.
- Custom keyguard design
- App-specific settings
- Button layout customization
- Drag and drop attachment features
- Preview final layout
- Save or email design drawings
- Supports popular AAC apps
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Keyguard Designer by LoganTech is a quick and easy way to make your own keyguard design for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps on any iPad. You can create and customize your own keyguard design in minutes, and preview tweaks to any features you want as you go. Experiment with several essential keyguard features, including app-specific settings, button layouts, as well as drag and drop attachment features for securing the keyguard with suction cups or elastic straps. Keyguard Designer supports the most popular AAC communication apps, including ProLoQuo2Go, TouchChat, GoTalk Now, and LAMP Words for Life. When you complete your ideal keygaurd design, you can preview the final layout and then save or email a professional design drawing. Terms of Use (EULA) - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: simPODD at 4.5 against Keyguard Designer's 2.7. simPODD also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (21 vs 3). Keyguard Designer's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. simPODD sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month and Keyguard Designer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
simPODD holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: simPODD has 21 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.
simPODD ships an update every 2 months, Keyguard Designer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 3, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | simPODD | Keyguard Designer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (21 ratings) — better | 2.7 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 77.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 21 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 539 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AssistiveWare | ProxTalker.com LLC |
Customer experience
simPODD
Keyguard Designer
In-app purchases
simPODD
- Monthly Digital1 Month trial$13.991 Month
- Yearly Digital + Print$139.991 Year
- Yearly Digital + Print*1 Month trial$139.991 Year
- One Year Digital$139.99
Keyguard Designer
- Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- One-Time Purchase$149.99






