Comparison

Grace 4 vs Apptismo

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

Head to head
About

Grace 4

This app facilitates communication for individuals with speech disabilities using a picture exchange system. Users can select images to build sentences, share them with communication partners, and customize content with their own photos and labels. It supports vocal output and offers adjustable settings for various needs.

Highlights
  • Picture exchange communication
  • Customizable image library
  • Sentence strip creation
  • Optional vocal output
  • Fullscreen sentence view
  • Adjustable card sizes
Read full description

Grace App - winner of the 2010 Irish Web Awards and United Nations World Summit Award Mobile. * * * * Grace App is an evidence-based picture exchange app designed to encourage and reward independent communication through the use of images. While created with and for people with autism, it can be used by anyone with a speech disability or delay. Grace App is designed to be owned and updated by the user, with minimum support from care-givers. Grace App works by offering a selection of images in categorized folders where users can select a picture to add to the “sentence strip”. The user then shares the sentence with their communication partner who helps them to point to each card, reading the words aloud. The default setting is for no sound; however, there is an option in Settings to select “Tap Card to Speak” for users who prefer a vocal output. On handhelds such as iPod touch or iPhone, the device can be rotated to landscape to show a fullscreen sentence view for sharing and pointing. On iPad, simply tap the arrow to enlarge the sentence to fullscreen. There's also a choice of 3 card sizes for user preference and those with visual/mobility impairment. Category folders contain a selection of pre-loaded images. Users can add their own images using the camera or access any saved and stored images in their photo library, including images saved from the web. All images can be labeled with text, deleted, or rearranged to suit the individual user. You can add new Category folders, with a selection of your own photos. All Categories can be rearranged and renamed as required. Detailed instructions are available in the Guide to Grace App at http://www.graceapp.com. Users can also learn about therapeutic strategies for developing other communication goals in the Guide. These include accepting and expressing “No, Wait” and “Asking for Help” There is also a section on communicating pain. Grace App has been reviewed by senior speech and language therapists who say: “Grace App is easy and quick to use and set up, it's easy to rename photo labels. Grace App is my favourite AAC app". KM - Speech and Language Therapist. "I use Grace App with some of my clients who have difficulty communicating and need a system to augment their speech. One client, a school-aged child with Down Syndrome who has difficulty expressing himself using speech loves Grace App. Within a matter of minutes he was independently requesting his snack AND saying the word. In his case, the voice output was not activated, as he was more motivated to say the words and my goal is ultimately speech production. However, for some of my clients Vocal Output would be very beneficial. I also love the support you get from the developer – you don’t always get this with communication apps. Grace App is simple to use, easy to edit, and very effective as a communication device. The pictures are very easy to take on the spot, and now also very easy to label (every speech therapist’s dream). I also use it along with sign language – a true total communication approach! Grace App is a simple and genius app.” MM - Speech and Language Pathologist. Grace App is continually improved with the feedback and help of users world-wide. If you have any suggestions or need support, please contact us at http://www.graceapp.com. Please leave a review if you think Grace has been helpful to you or your family! * * * * Grace App Communication is a member of Moms with Apps, a collaborative group of family-friendly developers seeking to promote quality apps for kids and families. Recommended Ages: Suitable for all ages, parents and caregivers. Currently available in English, French, German, Spanish, Danish, Portuguese, Arabic and Italian. Discounts are available through Apple’s educational Volume Purchase Program. "Easy Lemon (60 second)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

About

Apptismo

Features
Read full description

Apptismo is an application designed to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) communicate. It allows the use of visual cards organized into categories, where each card plays a sound when pressed, helping express the person’s needs and feelings. Key features: - Standard cards in three languages: Portuguese (PT-BR), English (EN-US), and Spanish (ES-ES). - Full customization: Create and edit categories and cards according to the child’s needs. - AI-generated voice: Use synthetic voices or record your own for the cards. - Parental control: Only guardians can change the settings. - Offline mode: Use the app without an internet connection. Apptismo is ideal for parents, therapists, and professionals working with neurodivergent children, providing an accessible and adaptable environment for each user’s needs. Download now and support communication in an intuitive and personalized way!

Screenshots

Grace 44 screens
Apptismo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Apptismo at Free against Grace 4's $39.99. Apptismo also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 8 months). Grace 4's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

Apptismo is free to download; Grace 4 costs $39.99 up front. Apptismo sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per month. Grace 4 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grace 4 ships an update every 8 months, Apptismo every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Grace 4 versus Apptismo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrace 4Apptismo
Price$39.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (44 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews55.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings44 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteven Troughton-SmithJACKSON HUGO BANDEIRA DE FRANCA

Bugs and requests

Grace 4

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • App flashing on and off
  • App closes unexpectedly
  • Cannot see pictures when clicking icon headers
  • Imported pictures show on top of each other
  • Issues with adding own categories
Show 8 more
  • App not working well
  • App not updated
  • App flashing on and off on opening
  • Double tapping to remove from sequence not ideal
  • App screen flickers
  • Images not visible on category headers
  • App not functioning as expected
  • App not updated for iPad

Requested features

19 requests
  • Ability to record own voice
  • Add own categories
  • Remove existing categories
  • More cards/images
  • Add own cards to existing categories
Show 14 more
  • Add categories for verbs, adjectives, adverbs, emotions, times
  • More word sentence starters/makers
  • Ability to save chosen sequences
  • Category sorting
  • Expand categories (e.g., 'Things I need')
  • Support multiple users/students
  • Hide/show categories
  • Rearrange categories
  • Add custom PECS under pre-made categories
  • Sizing of items
  • Add sound/speech to visuals
  • Labeling for images
  • Recall of image strings
  • Print functionality

Apptismo

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Grace 4

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Apptismo

Subscriptions2
  • PRO7 Days trial$29.991 Month
  • PRO YEARLY7 Days trial$299.001 Year

Questions

Is Grace 4 free?
Grace 4 costs $39.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Apptismo free?
Apptismo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Grace 4 or Apptismo have ads?
Apptismo shows ads; Grace 4 does not.
Which is updated more often, Grace 4 or Apptismo?
Grace 4 ships an update every 8 months, and Apptismo every 3 months. Most recently, Grace 4 was updated on October 15, 2026 and Apptismo on October 18, 2026.

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