Comparison

FirstPaint vs Niki Buttons

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

Head to head
About

FirstPaint

Features
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A simple to use, young learner's touch painting and coloring app from Sensory App House. FirstPaint contains no adverts and does not require a login or subscription. Sensory First Paint contains 4 groups of coloring templates, with 25 paintings to be completed, plus a blank canvas to paint freehand on. The paintings could also help with early word use and starting letter sound exploration. FirstPaint starts in fill mode, and you can change to freehand mode by pressing the top icon. There are two simple painting modes - freehand and tap to fill - and they can be combined to fill in your freehand paintings. You can also create a fun animation effect once the painting is completed. Pressing the Back arrow chooses the blank canvas, and each of the 4 modes of difficulty features a smaller brush. Switch Access and Adaptive XBox Controller: FirstPaint is an ideal first digital painting app, that can also be used with an XBox Controller or Microsoft Adaptive Controller with a joystick, the DPAD, inbuilt switch or suitable external switch. The joystick moves the onscreen cursor, A button selects/deselects painting and settings. FirstPaint is one of a series of Sensory painting and art apps, including Mandala, FunPainting and Coloco.

About

Niki Buttons

This app provides a simple way for individuals with communication impairments to express themselves. Users can record voice messages and assign them to large, easy-to-press buttons, optionally adding images for visual cues. It's designed for making requests, participating in activities, or expressing choices.

Highlights
  • Record custom voice messages
  • Assign messages to large buttons
  • Option to add images to buttons
  • Adjust button and record button visibility
  • Supports dark appearance
  • Simple interface for single message communication
Read full description

Niki Buttons is a simple AAC app designed for people with autism or any disability that impairs the ability to communicate. The easiest and most effective way to introduce single message communication to a user. Useful for those who have physical problems with pressing small buttons. Niki Buttons is perfect for making a request, participating in an activity, or making a choice. How it works: - Four buttons available: blue, green, red and yellow. - You can record your voice, and play it back by touching a button. - To record a message, tap the "Record" button. When you are done, simply tap the "Stop" button. You can record over as many times as you need. - Optionally you can choose an image from your device's camera roll and place it over a button. - From Settings, you can choose to show image and record buttons on the top, on the bottom or even hidden. - Dark appearance supported.

Screenshots

FirstPaint4 screens
Niki Buttons4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: FirstPaint at Free against Niki Buttons's $3.99. FirstPaint also leads on iOS requirement (11.4 vs 13.0). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

FirstPaint is free to download; Niki Buttons costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FirstPaint ships an update every 11 months, Niki Buttons every 21 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
FirstPaint versus Niki Buttons: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFirstPaintNiki Buttons
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating—4.8 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 months — betterEvery 21 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.4 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSensory App House LtdAlessandro La Rocca

In-app purchases

None

FirstPaint

No in-app purchases

None

Niki Buttons

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FirstPaint free?
FirstPaint is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Niki Buttons free?
Niki Buttons costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do FirstPaint or Niki Buttons have ads?
Neither FirstPaint nor Niki Buttons shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FirstPaint or Niki Buttons?
FirstPaint ships an update every 11 months, and Niki Buttons every 21 months. Most recently, FirstPaint was updated on October 5, 2026 and Niki Buttons on October 23, 2026.

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