SoundingBoard vs PowerTools DWA
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SoundingBoard
Create custom communication boards quickly using pre-made symbols or your own words. This app provides a powerful tool for individuals needing alternative communication methods. It supports switch access for enhanced usability.
- Customizable communication boards
- AbleNet symbol integration
- User-added words
- Switch access support
- Compatible with AbleNet Blue2 Switch
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SoundingBoard transforms your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad into the latest in communication technology. In just minutes, you can create custom boards using AbleNet symbols or your own words. Perfect for children in special education, persons on the autism spectrum, and adults with disabilities. SoundingBoard includes switch access and is compatible with the AbleNet Blue2 Switch.
PowerTools DWA
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PowerTools by Tools of the Mind® is an innovative literacy learning platform based on decades of research on the neuroscience of learning and literacy development. The PowerTools DWA iPad application was designed from the ground up to support children’s early literacy development, by enabling detailed realtime capture of children's writing and drawing together with audio recording and teacher scaffolding information. These data are then displayed on a PowerTools dashboard for teachers and literacy specialists, with classroom and child level data and analytics to help teachers improve instruction, track children’s progress, and provide targeted individual scaffolding to each student. Please note: In order to use the PowerTools DWA app, users must have a current contract with Tools of the Mind that includes access to the PowerTools Literacy Learning Platform. For more information or to begin that process please contact us at information@toolsofthemind.org.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PowerTools DWA at none against SoundingBoard's 10. PowerTools DWA also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). SoundingBoard's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. SoundingBoard sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. PowerTools DWA asks for nothing beyond the download.
SoundingBoard ships an update every 3 months, PowerTools DWA every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SoundingBoard | PowerTools DWA |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (34 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 48.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 34 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AbleNet | Tools of the Mind |
Bugs and requests
SoundingBoard
Reported bugs
19 issues- App crashing on startup after purchase
- Folders not saving changes
- Created boards disappearing
- Edit lock not working, student can edit pictures
- Cannot record voice over preloaded boards
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- App crashes after in-app purchase
- App crashes every time going into the app
- User created boards not showing up correctly
- Cannot record voice, does not save
- Cannot create new boards with new symbols, save button does nothing
- Sound quit working on iPad 2 with OS 6
- Two touches needed to activate icon/button
- Last time content was added, it didn't work
- Recordings play back very quietly
- Audio does not work at all
- Does not work on iPod touch
- Images are small, cells are small, does not utilize entire screen
- Difficult to get back to the home screen
- Losing new pages after saving
Requested features
20 requests- Large button icons for board selection
- Login system to save boards across platforms
- Ability to log in and save boards across devices
- User login system for shared boards
- Ability to erase pre-made boards
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- Choose a default board to open with
- iPad version to avoid magnification issues
- Sentence strip option
- Improve picture library search
- Facility to play music tracks directly
- More picture cards for school-related content
- More choices for layout on initial screen
- Option to change background color
- Improve navigation for board design
- Basic pre-formatted pages
- Editing options for pics and boards (size, placement)
- Basic communication symbols (yes/no, alphabet)
- More PX available on a page
- Better contrasting pictures with black background
- Universal or iPad version
PowerTools DWA
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SoundingBoard
- Mealtime_MaleFree
- Mealtime_FemaleFree
- Getting Dressed_MaleFree
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- Getting Dressed_FemaleFree
- General Conversation_MaleFree
- General Conversation_FemaleFree
- Fast Food Restaurant_MaleFree
- Fast Food Restaurant_FemaleFree
- Movies_MaleFree
- Movies_FemaleFree
PowerTools DWA
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SoundingBoard free?
Is PowerTools DWA free?
Do SoundingBoard or PowerTools DWA have ads?
Which is updated more often, SoundingBoard or PowerTools DWA?
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