Comparison

SoundingBoard vs SPL

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Customizable communication boards
  • AbleNet symbol integration
  • User-added words
  • Switch access support
  • Compatible with AbleNet Blue2 Switch
Features
Read full description

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.

About

SPL

Read full description

Struggling to spell tricky English words? SPL is the ultimate spelling practice app that helps you build vocabulary, improve spelling accuracy, and master English pronunciation — one word at a time. Hear a word. Spell it. Learn it. SPL pulls from a massive database of over 190,000 English words and challenges you to spell them correctly using an interactive on-screen keyboard. After each attempt, you'll see the correct spelling, full dictionary definitions organized by part of speech, and can listen to authentic US or UK pronunciations. CORE FEATURES: - 190,000+ English Words — A vast built-in word database covering everything from everyday vocabulary to advanced terminology. - 4 Difficulty Levels — Progress from Tourist (4–7 letters) to Immigrant (8–9), Citizen (10–12), and President (13–21 letters) as your skills improve. - US & UK Pronunciations — Switch between American and British English diction with a single tap. Hear every word spoken aloud with high-quality text-to-speech. - SPL works best with premium voices installed from Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Speech > Primary Voice. - 3 Keyboard Modes — Choose from a standard Keyboard, Shuffled letters (only the word's letters, rearranged), or Concealed mode (similar-sounding letters added as decoys) for an extra challenge. - Dictionary Definitions — Every word comes with full definitions organized by part of speech, fetched from a real dictionary API. - Favorites System — Heart the words you love or want to revisit. Build your own personal word list. - Progress Tracking — Review your spelled, misspelled, and favorited words in a searchable profile with alphabetical indexing. - Volume Control — Adjust audio playback to your preference or mute entirely. - Dark Mode Support — A beautiful, distraction-free interface that adapts to your system appearance. - Offline Word Database — Your entire word collection is stored locally. Only definitions and audio require an internet connection. WHY SPL? Whether you're preparing for a spelling bee, studying for standardized tests, learning English as a second language, or simply want to sharpen your vocabulary — SPL makes spelling practice engaging and effective. The concealed keyboard mode turns every word into a puzzle, while progress tracking keeps you motivated. EULA: http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/appstore/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

SoundingBoard4 screens
SPL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SoundingBoard at Free against SPL's $4.99. SoundingBoard also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 56 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). SPL's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On ads 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

SoundingBoard is free to download; SPL costs $4.99 up front. SoundingBoard sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. SPL asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SoundingBoard ships an update every 3 months, SPL every 56 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SoundingBoard versus SPL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoundingBoardSPL
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating3.5 (34 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews48.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings34 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 56 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAbleNetGil Jetomo

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
Show 14 more
  • 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
Show 15 more
  • 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

SPL

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

SoundingBoard

One-time10
  • Mealtime_MaleFree
  • Mealtime_FemaleFree
  • Getting Dressed_MaleFree
Show 7 more
  • Getting Dressed_FemaleFree
  • General Conversation_MaleFree
  • General Conversation_FemaleFree
  • Fast Food Restaurant_MaleFree
  • Fast Food Restaurant_FemaleFree
  • Movies_MaleFree
  • Movies_FemaleFree
None

SPL

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SoundingBoard free?
SoundingBoard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SPL free?
SPL costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do SoundingBoard or SPL have ads?
Neither SoundingBoard nor SPL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SoundingBoard or SPL?
SoundingBoard ships an update every 3 months, and SPL every 56 months. Most recently, SoundingBoard was updated on October 15, 2026 and SPL on October 7, 2026.

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