Auslan Tutor vs simPODD
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Auslan Tutor
Learn fundamental Auslan signs with clear photos and video demonstrations. This app teaches 150 common signs, the Auslan alphabet, and numbers 0-10. A full version offers over 500 signs with phrases, sentences, and grammar notes for deeper learning.
- Learn 150 common Auslan signs
- Video demonstrations of signs
- Photos of handshapes
- Auslan alphabet and fingerspelling
- Numbers 0-10
- Full version with over 500 signs
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NextSense Auslan Tutor: Key Signs **************************************** Learn how to communicate 150 common Auslan signs, like “please,” “thanks,” and “how are you?” Each sign is clearly presented, with a photo of the handshape used to form the sign and a video clip demonstrating how the sign is produced. The app also includes the Auslan alphabet - so you can learn how to fingerspell and numbers 0-10. The NextSense Auslan Tutor: Key Signs was developed by staff at NextSense, in consultation with expert Auslan users. Full version **************************************** For a more comprehensive understanding of Auslan, you can download the full version of the NextSense Auslan Tutor for the iPhone and iPod touch. More than 500 Auslan signs are included, each with five corresponding entries. These five entries are: • a photo of the handshape used to form the sign • a video clip demonstrating the single sign • a video clip of the sign used in a phrase • a video clip of the phrase used in a sentence • a text note about Auslan grammar that is pertinent to the sign, phrase or sentence These additional features help improve the users understanding and use of Auslan. The NextSense Auslan Tutor: Key Signs was developed by staff at the NextSense, in consultation with expert Auslan users. More apps **************************************** Take a look at our series on 'Songs for Listening and Language.' The series is designed to encourage the development of listening and language skills in young children. Available for iPad: • Old MacDonald • Row, Row, Row Your Boat • Dingle Dangle Scarecrow • Incy Wincy Spider
simPODD
This app simplifies augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for individuals who cannot speak. It integrates digital PODD page sets with a printing interface, offering streamlined editing and access to various vocabulary options. Designed in collaboration with the PODD system's creator, it aims to make communication more accessible and efficient.
- Digital PODD page sets
- Integrated printing interface
- Streamlined editing
- SymbolStix integration
- Multiple text-to-speech voices
- Regionally specific vocabulary
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simPODD is an app for the popular PODD system that makes communication more simple for those who can’t speak. Built in collaboration with Gayle Porter, it’s the only PODD app for iPad to bring digital page sets and a printing interface into one app. From the makers of Proloquo2Go, this augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app is sure to become a favorite among PODD users, because it's the only PODD app built specifically for their needs. “simPODD’s integration of PODD communication books and electronic page sets in a single product supports people to "say what I want to say, to whoever, whenever and however I choose to say it.” - Gayle Porter, creator of the PODD system Highlights • Access to all PODD digital page sets: 15 Preschool, 15+ Preschool, 15 School, 15+ School, 60 Complex Syntax, 60 Expanded Key Word • Fully integrated printing interface in the app to print direct access individual and group PODD books (with yearly subscription) • Streamlined and simplified editing process • Uses SymbolStix • Regionally specific vocabulary and American, British and Australian voices • 38 natural-sounding text-to-speech voices including genuine children’s voices • Free 1-month trial How it works simPODD makes using PODD much simpler. First, it brings the digital page sets and printing experience into one app. No need to manage different payments and subscriptions, or learn how to use multiple programs. It’s all rolled into one. It’s easy to use, no matter who you are: parent, teacher, speech therapist or PODD user. Customizing and editing digital page sets is also very straightforward with simPODD. Quickly edit the vocabulary, create new buttons and link folders without following a lot of complicated steps. Since we worked closely with PODD users while building the app, we took all of the hassle and frustration out of these processes. The easiest PODD book printing experience The printing function for PODD books is right inside the app. Just select a book and customize. Print the book all at once, instead of page by page. It only takes a few minutes! You can create as many books as you need, and print them for all of the people in a PODD communicator’s life. What is PODD? PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display) is a popular AAC system created and owned by Gayle Porter. PODD organizes vocabulary around communication function and predicted likely usage to make it more efficient to get something across. PODD's range of books and page sets support language development from first words to complex syntax. The books and page sets for early communicators also include strategies like pragmatic branch starters. This supports more intelligible and varied communication. Comprehensive support We’re there for you every step of the way. Help articles on the website are there to guide you through set up. New to AAC? Our website has background resources in the Learn AAC section. You can also connect directly with our community on our Facebook groups. Questions? Our support team is available 7 days a week. Choose the subscription that’s right for you: Yearly Digital + Print or Monthly Digital. Yearly Digital + Print • Print direct access PODD books right from the app • Full access to all of the digital page sets • Regular updates • Save money - 2 months free compared to the monthly subscription Monthly Digital • Full access to all of the digital page sets • Regular updates • Cancel month to month, so you only pay for what you use • An inexpensive way to try PODD Try the app out with our 1-month free trial! How payment works • Payments will be charged to your Apple ID (after your free trial ends) • Subscriptions renew automatically. Payment is charged 24 hours before the current subscription period ends • Don’t want to renew? Cancel more than 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period • Want to cancel or change your subscription? Manage it in your account settings on the App Store
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Auslan Tutor at none against simPODD's 4. Auslan Tutor also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and device support (3 vs 1). simPODD's advantage is review sentiment (78% vs 64%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On price, ads and monetization model 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. simPODD sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month. Auslan Tutor asks for nothing beyond the download.
Auslan Tutor holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: simPODD has 23 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of Auslan Tutor's written reviews are positive against 78% of simPODD's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Auslan Tutor ships an update every 5 months, simPODD every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Auslan Tutor | simPODD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | 4.6 (23 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 64.4% of reviews | 77.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 23 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 58 MB | 539 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children | AssistiveWare |
Customer experience
Auslan Tutor
simPODD
In-app purchases
Auslan Tutor
No in-app purchases
simPODD
- Monthly Digital1 Month trial$13.991 Month
- Yearly Digital + Print$139.991 Year
- Yearly Digital + Print*1 Month trial$139.991 Year
- One Year Digital$139.99









