Comparison

Smata vs Visuals2Go Next

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

Head to head
About

Smata

This app helps educators observe and record student learning data through photos, videos, and notes. It visualizes this 'small data' to build a comprehensive picture of student progress, informing teacher planning and supporting a learner-centered pedagogy.

Highlights
  • Capture photos, video, and audio of learning moments
  • Link observations to specific students and learning areas
  • Visualize learning data with graphs
  • Track student strengths, gaps, and areas for growth
  • Inform teacher planning with visual data
  • Review past observations for deeper understanding
Features
Read full description

Designed for teachers, Smata supports the cycle of observing, noticing and responding to learning that is central when embracing a learner centred pedagogy. By capturing and visualising small data, Smata builds a fuller picture of student learning. How does Smata work? Teachers take photos, video or audio of learning moments, and make teacher notes, which they then link to students and learning areas. Teachers decide whether what they have captured is evidence of emerging or rich learning in that area or areas. This captured small data is graphed to show learning strengths, gaps and areas for increased richness. This informs teacher planning. Teachers are able to review past observations to deepen their understanding of student and class learning. The Benefits of Using Smata: Place observation at the centre of your practice. Capture small data in the moment of observing and noticing, which can be reviewed later to inform responsive teacher actions. Make the curriculum, not assessment, the focus of learning. Because Smata enables the capture of small data related to specific learning areas, a picture of curriculum linked learning is built for the class and each student. Easily keep track of learning. Teachers decide the learning areas they want to keep track of. Smata graphs the captured small data to provide a visual representation of the learning teachers are noticing and its degree of richness. Plan for responsive teacher actions. View either whole class or individual student graphs. Instantly see where learning is rich, where it is emerging, or where no learning has been noticed. Review previously captured moments, including teacher notes. Spotlight questions generated by Smata highlight interesting points of reflection unique to the class. Supports a growth focused, learner centred pedagogy. A barrier to the adoption of a learner centred pedagogy is the difficulty teachers experience keeping track of who is doing what. Smata solves that problem. The emerging to rich scale orientates planning on the growth focused question, β€˜What can I do to add richness to student learning?’ Simple, intuitive and fast. Smata is designed for ease of use. Observation information is captured in the moment of learning, in a matter of seconds, minimising the need to enter learning data after the fact. The graph makes learning instantly visible and the planning focus clear.

About

Visuals2Go Next

Features
Read full description

Visuals2Go Next – Empowering Every Voice AAC and visual support app designed specifically for iPhone and iPad users, supporting individuals with autism, speech delays, and developmental disabilities. Visuals2Go Next is a flexible communication and learning tool created for parents, teachers, and therapists to foster functional communication, literacy, and independence. Developed by a special educator in collaboration with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, behaviour therapists, school counsellors, and families, it’s trusted globally for real-life support on iOS devices. FREE TO DOWNLOAD: Core AAC and visual support features are included at no cost. Create picture cards, build sentences, and use essential communication tools with a free account. KEY FEATURES (included with free download) β€’ Expanded core vocabulary and AAC-aligned folders β€’ Tap-to-talk sentence strips and customizable visual cards β€’ Swipe-to-scroll lanyard mode for portable, quick communication β€’ Printable visuals, schedules, and basic templates β€’ Built-in video card builder for personalized visual supports β€’ Request custom cards and albums directly from the team PREMIUM FEATURES (separate auto-renewable subscription required): Some features require an optional paid subscription purchased through the App Store. Plan name, length, and price are shown in the app before you buy: β€’ Unlimited cards and longer sentence strips (Cards Only or Premium) β€’ Full online library and premium albums (Premium subscription required) β€’ All premium print templates and unlimited printing (Premium subscription required) β€’ Cloud backup and restore (Premium subscription required) β€’ Premium fonts, editing tools, and ad-free experience (Premium subscription required) Subscription options include Cards Only (Yearly), Premium (Monthly), and Premium (Yearly). A 14-day free trial may be available for eligible Premium plans. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings β†’ Apple ID β†’ Subscriptions. Questions or feedback? Contact us at support@visuals2go.com Privacy Policy: https://www.visuals2go.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.visuals2go.com/terms/

Screenshots

Smata3 screens
Visuals2Go Next4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Smata at none against Visuals2Go Next's 3. Smata also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.4). Visuals2Go Next's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Visuals2Go Next sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.00 per year. Smata asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smata ships an update monthly, Visuals2Go Next every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Β· 4 level
Smata versus Visuals2Go Next: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmataVisuals2Go Next
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 days β€” better
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
MonetizationAd-supportedβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 β€” better16.4
Further details β€” not scored
Size68 MB75 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPoint Zero LimitedBo Innovations

In-app purchases

None

Smata

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Visuals2Go Next

Subscriptions3
  • Visuals2Go$3.001 Year
  • Visuals2Go14 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Visuals2Go14 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Smata free?
Smata is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Visuals2Go Next free?
Visuals2Go Next is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Smata or Visuals2Go Next have ads?
Smata shows ads; Visuals2Go Next does not.
Which is updated more often, Smata or Visuals2Go Next?
Smata ships an update monthly, and Visuals2Go Next every 2 days. Most recently, Smata was updated on October 22, 2026 and Visuals2Go Next on October 3, 2026.

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