Comparison

TouchChat HD vs GoTalk® NOW PLUS

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

Head to head
About

TouchChat HD

This app provides a comprehensive communication solution for individuals with speech impairments. It offers customizable vocabulary files, synthesized voices, and various access methods to facilitate expression and interaction. Text generated can be shared via social media, email, or copied to other applications.

Highlights
  • Customizable vocabulary files
  • Built-in voice synthesizer
  • Multiple synthesized and custom voice options
  • Adjustable button activation timing
  • Support for scanning, head tracking, and eye tracking
  • Text sharing via social media, email, and iMessage
  • Import/export vocabulary files
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

TouchChat is a full-featured Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solution for individuals who have difficulty using their natural voice. TouchChat is designed for individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, ALS, apraxia, stroke, or other conditions that affect a person's ability to use natural speech. TouchChat gives an individual the ability to choose a vocabulary file which consists of pages and buttons that contain words, phrases, sentences, and other functions. Messages are spoken with a built-in voice synthesizer or by playing a recorded message. Various synthesized and custom voice options are available, allowing the user to choose a voice that fits their own personality. Various vocabulary files are included. Visit our website for a full list of options. The Upgrade Store provides additional in-app purchases, including the WordPower® series of AAC vocabularies designed by Nancy Inman. WordPower is a word-based vocabulary that allows for easy and intuitive communication and is available in English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin. The Upgrade Store also provides English vocabularies files (Gateway©, Pixon®60 and Talk About AAC), services, and symbol libraries. Vocabulary files within TouchChat are fully customizable, including pages, grid layout, buttons, messages, and symbols. Select from over 45 button actions and nearly 40,000 Symbolstix® symbols* when creating new buttons. You can also choose to use an existing image or take a photo with the built-in camera. Additionally, gestures can be used to navigate to new pages, speak messages, etc. *Please note: PCS© symbols can only be used in TouchChat after an in-app purchase is completed. Button activation timing can be adjusted to meet the needs and capabilities of the user. Adjustments include button dwell time and button release time. Buttons can also be configured to activate on release. Additional access methods such as scanning, head tracking, and eye tracking may be available based on device model and may require an additional hardware purchase. Text generated with TouchChat can be shared on social media or via iMessage® and email using a wireless connection. Generate a message, push on the text window, and choose a service. Additionally, text can be copied to/from TouchChat and other applications so it can be spoken out loud. Once programming is complete, vocabulary files can be imported and exported through AirDrop, email, iTunes® file sharing, DropBox™ or Google Drive™. TouchChat also enables users to subscribe to iShare and store custom files for safe keeping (not available to customers residing in the European Union). iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. By downloading and using the TouchChat app, the purchaser accepts the PRC-Saltillo TouchChat Software License Terms. The Manufacturer of the iOS application – TouchChat is: Prentke Romich Company dba PRC-Saltillo 1022 Heyl Rd Wooster, OH 44691 USA Tel.: (330) 262-1984 // (800) 262-1984 Fax: (330) 262-4829 Email: info@aacapps.com Web: www.prc-saltillo.com The EU Authorized European Representative for the iOS application – TouchChat is: Prentke Romich GmbH Karthäuserstr. 3 D-34117 Kassel Germany Tel.: (05 61) 7 85 59-0 Fax: (05 61) 7 85 59-29 Email: info@prentke-romich.de Web : www.prentke-romich.de The UK Responsible Person for the iOS application – TouchChat is: Liberator Ltd Glenside Business Park West Pinchbeck, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 3SA UK Tel: +44 (0)1733 370470 Email: info@liberator.co.uk Web: www.liberator.co.uk/ The Swiss Authorized Representative for the iOS application – TouchChat is: Inspera GmbH Thunstrasse 64 | CH-3110 Münsingen Phone +41 31 819 74 60 | Mobile +41 79 435 53 09 mail@inspera.ch | www.inspera.ch

About

GoTalk® NOW PLUS

This powerful app provides a flexible and user-friendly platform for individuals with speech difficulties. It offers customizable page layouts, text-to-speech, and extensive image libraries to create personalized communication books. Users can also share and back up their creations.

Highlights
  • Adjustable page layouts
  • Recorded and text-to-speech capabilities
  • Over 15,000 images from SymbolStix and GoTalk Image Library
  • Ready-Set-Communicate pre-made book for children
  • Three communication page styles: Standard, Express, and Scenes
  • Create and share unlimited communication books
  • Full-feature scanning app
Features
Read full description

Attainment has been making augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools for 25 years. Our experience is front and center in GoTalk NOW PLUS, a flexible, easy-to-use, yet powerful app for people who have difficulty speaking. GoTalk NOW PLUS shares the same foundation as GoTalk NOW, and has all the essentials of an effective AAC app; adjustable page layouts, recorded and text-to-speech capabilities, and customizable navigation are all featured. So what differentiates PLUS from NOW? PLUS comes bundled with a wealth of extra content to help you get more out of the app. Between both SymbolStix and The GoTalk Image Library you have access to over 15,000 images! Also featured is Ready-Set-Communicate, a pre-made communication book for children ages 3-10. PLUS also contains 7 English text-to-speech voices, including 2 children’s voices. Please note an internet connection is required to download the additional content. GoTalk NOW PLUS offers three styles of communication pages: Standard, Express, and Scenes. In Standard pages, the action occurs when the location is pressed. In Express pages, recorded or text-to-speech messages build in a speech bar and play in sequence when the bar is pressed. Scene pages are built around a single photo or image. When you arrange invisible hotspots over people or objects in the photo, the hotspots play speech, music, or videos! Feel free to mix and match pages within a communication book. Create as many communication books as you need, each with unique settings and unlimited pages. Then share these books with other users via WiFi, and back them up for safekeeping via Dropbox or any Mac/PC. Envision the impact of blending video, music, and jump to actions among your pages. How cool is it to have your own private online galley to store and save your templates (up to five communication pages) for free, and to email these templates to parents and colleagues! Furthermore, GoTalk NOW PLUS is a full-feature scanning app! Features: • Choose 1, 2, 4, 9, 16, or 25 locations per page. • Use images from your iPad camera, photo library, GoTalk Image Library, or SymbolStix symbols. • Search the Internet in-app for the perfect image or icon. • Includes free download for Ready-Set-Communicate, a pre-made communication book for children ages 3-10. • Purchase additional pre-made communication books in-app. • Combine multiple images in a single communication location. • Color pages, borders, and text with any hue. • Move and size text with your fingers so it feels just right. • Record your voice or use our free text-to-speech voice. • Utilize 7 American English text-to-speech voices, available as free download • Buy additional voices for only 99 cents each, available in over 20 languages. • Add spoken labels (auditory cues) to any button. Great for scanning, guiding visually impaired users, and identifying any new or difficult vocabulary. • Trim videos in-app, and play them from any communication location. • Select our alternate video interface to pause or exit the video easily. • Link songs from your playlist to any communication location and control them with Pause/Play, Next, and Previous. • Include a core vocabulary button for extra quick access to important messages. • Share complete communication books via WiFi with any iPad user who has NOW or PLUS. • Back up communication books via Dropbox or to any Mac or PC for safekeeping. • Store and share interactive templates (each including speech, video, text, and jump to links) on our online gallery for free. • Download and edit pre-made templates from Attainment’s collection on the public gallery, also free. • Email links to your templates to parents and colleagues, who can open the template on their iPad by tapping on the link. • Print and save communication book layouts via PDFs. • Access PLUS with single or two-switch scanning. GoTalk NOW PLUS participates in Apple's Volume Purchasing Program for Education in the United States.

Screenshots

TouchChat HD4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TouchChat HD at $149.99 against GoTalk® NOW PLUS's $189.99. TouchChat HD also leads on rating (3.9 vs 3.0) and review sentiment (64% vs 40%). GoTalk® NOW PLUS's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

TouchChat HD costs $149.99 and GoTalk® NOW PLUS $189.99 up front. TouchChat HD sells 11 one-off in-app purchases and GoTalk® NOW PLUS sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TouchChat HD holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TouchChat HD has 36 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of TouchChat HD's written reviews are positive against 40% of GoTalk® NOW PLUS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TouchChat HD ships an update every 2 months, GoTalk® NOW PLUS every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
TouchChat HD versus GoTalk® NOW PLUS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTouchChat HDGoTalk® NOW PLUS
Price$149.99 — better$189.99
Rating3.9 (36 ratings) — better3.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings36 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#192 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS18.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2.5 GB235 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPrentke Romich CompanyAttainment Company

Customer experience

TouchChat HD

All ratings36 ratings
Positive61.1%
Neutral22.2%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative35.7%

GoTalk® NOW PLUS

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%

In-app purchases

11 purchases

TouchChat HD

One-time11
  • Enable Acapela French Voices$11.99
  • Talk-About Vocabulary$44.99
  • PCS Symbol Library$49.99
Show 8 more
  • Unique Learning System$59.99
  • iShare Individual 1-Year 2GB Subscription$59.99
  • Pixon® for TouchChat$79.99
  • News-2-You and Unique Service$99.99
  • WordPower Vocabulary$149.99
  • Hebrew Language Pack$149.99
  • Gateway© Vocabulary$149.99
  • iShare Team 1-Year 30GB Subscription$239.99
12 purchases

GoTalk® NOW PLUS

One-time12
  • Ella$11.99
  • Josh$11.99
  • Emilio - English$11.99
Show 9 more
  • Will$11.99
  • Emilio - Spanish$11.99
  • Talk All Day$19.99
  • PCS High Contrast$29.99
  • Participate NOW$49.99
  • Tactile Talk$49.99
  • English (US) Keywords$59.99
  • AAC2go (Girl 3-10)$79.99
  • AAC2go (Boy 3-10)$79.99

Questions

Is TouchChat HD free?
TouchChat HD costs $149.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is GoTalk® NOW PLUS free?
GoTalk® NOW PLUS costs $189.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TouchChat HD or GoTalk® NOW PLUS?
TouchChat HD is rated higher. TouchChat HD averages 3.9 out of 5 from 36 ratings, while GoTalk® NOW PLUS averages 3.0 from 4 ratings.
Do TouchChat HD or GoTalk® NOW PLUS have ads?
Neither TouchChat HD nor GoTalk® NOW PLUS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TouchChat HD or GoTalk® NOW PLUS?
TouchChat HD ships an update every 2 months, and GoTalk® NOW PLUS every 5 weeks. Most recently, TouchChat HD was updated on October 18, 2026 and GoTalk® NOW PLUS on October 7, 2026.

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