Comparison

simPODD vs CoughDrop Pro

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Digital PODD page sets
  • Integrated printing interface
  • Streamlined editing
  • SymbolStix integration
  • Multiple text-to-speech voices
  • Regionally specific vocabulary
Features
Read full description

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

About

CoughDrop Pro

This communication tool supports individuals with complex communication needs, offering customizable boards with symbols, images, and audio. It allows for personalized communication strategies and provides reporting features for support teams across multiple devices.

Highlights
  • Customizable communication boards
  • Rich symbol set and image support
  • Speech synthesis
  • Cross-device synchronization
  • Team collaboration and modeling
  • Built-in reporting and messaging
Features
Read full description

CoughDrop is a simple, modern AAC communication and support tool that empowers individuals and the teams around them. It is a full-featured communication app built for individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Rett syndrome, or other complex communication needs. CoughDrop is flexible and configurable enough to accommodate the access and comprehension needs of many communicators. CoughDrop users can install this app to access CoughDrop's communication and reporting features on their mobile device. The app includes starter boards for different levels of communication, and boards with large or small buttons can be personalized using the rich symbol set, user-provided images or camera photos, user-recorded audio, speech synthesis, etc. CoughDrop runs on multiple devices, so you can log in on your tablet, phone and computer and have access to the same communication tools and interface. In addition, users can be linked so parents, therapists and supervisors can access a communicator's boards from their own devices to better facilitate modeling, and to make it easier to modify boards without taking away the communicator's device. The built-in reporting and messaging tools also help the support team have a consistent strategy and know what's working across locations and times.

Screenshots

CoughDrop Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: simPODD at 4.5 against CoughDrop Pro's 3.7. simPODD also leads on ratings volume (21 vs 3). CoughDrop Pro's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. simPODD sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month and CoughDrop Pro sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

simPODD holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

simPODD ships an update every 2 months, CoughDrop Pro every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
simPODD versus CoughDrop Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametersimPODDCoughDrop Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (21 ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings21 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size539 MB99 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAssistiveWareMAVWARE, LLC

Customer experience

simPODD

All ratings21 ratings
Positive90.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.5%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%

CoughDrop Pro

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

simPODD

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Digital1 Month trial$13.991 Month
  • Yearly Digital + Print$139.991 Year
  • Yearly Digital + Print*1 Month trial$139.991 Year
One-time1
  • One Year Digital$139.99
3 purchases

CoughDrop Pro

One-time3
  • Supporter Access$29.99
  • Evaluator Access$29.99
  • Communicator Access$294.99

Questions

Is simPODD free?
simPODD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CoughDrop Pro free?
CoughDrop Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, simPODD or CoughDrop Pro?
simPODD is rated higher. simPODD averages 4.5 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while CoughDrop Pro averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do simPODD or CoughDrop Pro have ads?
Neither simPODD nor CoughDrop Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, simPODD or CoughDrop Pro?
simPODD ships an update every 2 months, and CoughDrop Pro every 6 weeks. Most recently, simPODD was updated on September 17, 2026 and CoughDrop Pro on October 1, 2026.

Other comparisons