Comparison

Expressive Builder vs Describe it to me

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

Head to head
About

Expressive Builder

This app helps children improve sentence ideation, formation, and language skills through interactive exercises. It utilizes audio clips and voice recording to enhance auditory processing and reinforce language development, making it ideal for special needs children.

Highlights
  • Sentence ideation and formation practice
  • Auditory processing enhancement with audio clips
  • Voice recording and playback
  • Multiple hint levels
  • 250+ images for sentence creation
  • Import custom images
Features
Read full description

Voted 3rd best educational app of 2011 by AppsForHomeschooling.com Voted 9th best education app of 2011 by SmartAppsForKids.com Own as an individual app or as part of our MES Speech Therapy Bundle. Expressive Builder is designed to help children accomplish the following educational goals: 1) Improve sentence ideation ; 2) Improve sentence formation; and 3) Improve receptive and expressive language. Extensive use of audio clips promotes improved auditory processing for special needs children with autism spectrum disorders or sensory processing disorders. Auditory playback of child's voice offers reinforcement for language development. Expressive Builder offers a rich and fun environment for improving the ability to create grammatically correct sentences. FEATURES -Record feature allows students to record sentences in their own voice -3 levels of hints -Simple and intuitive interface to record sentence -Save and email recorded sentences -250 distinct images to create sentences from -Import your own images -Optional hint button LANGUAGES - English REQUIREMENTS - Compatible with iPad - Requires Iphone 5.1 software update ExpressiveBuilder is part of "The Builder Series" of award winning education apps. Mobile Education Store has won over 40 app awards and has been named educational developer of the year in 2011 and 2012. Mobile Education Store 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: 3-6, 6-10 Categories: Special Needs

About

Describe it to me

This educational tool transforms language learning into an interactive game show. It helps users build vocabulary and semantic understanding through descriptive exercises, catering to both children and adults. Features include detailed progress tracking and customizable word lists for personalized learning.

Highlights
  • 6-Point Semantic Mapping
  • Dual-Mode Learning (Receptive/Expressive)
  • Dynamic Game Show Atmosphere
  • Comprehensive Reporting
  • Built-in Motivation System
  • Multi-User Support
  • Customizable Word Lists
Features
Read full description

Unlock deeper language connections through the power of description. Step into the spotlight with Describe It To Me, a vibrant, multi-level educational tool designed by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Whether you are working with children building foundational vocabulary or adults rebuilding semantic networks, this app turns therapy into an interactive game show experience. Why "Describe It To Me" Works Research shows that a deep semantic understanding is the key to better word retrieval and language expression. Instead of simple identification, our app probes six critical areas of knowledge for every item, helping users create a "mental map" of the world around them. Key Features 6-Point Semantic Mapping: Every item includes questions covering Category, Function, Parts, Location, Visuals, and Extra Facts. Dual-Mode Learning: Toggle seamlessly between Receptive (identifying) and Expressive (explaining) language tasks with a simple swipe. Dynamic Game Show Atmosphere: Features a player spinner, high-quality visuals, and a "TV-style" interface to keep engagement high. Comprehensive Reporting: Track progress with detailed session report cards. Monitor accuracy across specific question types to see exactly where a learner excels or needs help. Built-in Motivation: A dedicated Awards & Achievements center where players can view their scores and "unmask" mystery trophies. Professional Tools for SLPs & Educators Multi-User Support: Manage up to 5 players per session with individual tracking. Fully Customizable: Use the "Customize Word List" feature to focus on specific vocabulary or adjust settings for auditory reinforcement and "wrong-answer" behaviors. Homework Made Easy: Access and print/email various skill-level worksheets directly from the app to bridge the gap between therapy and home. Integration: Fully compatible with the Therapy Report Center for streamlined progress monitoring and professional reporting. What’s Inside? 160+ High-Quality, Real-World Images (no confusing clip art!) Bilingual Support: Easily switch between English and Spanish. Progress Tracking: Data collection over time for every student. Designed by an Expert: Created by Susan Rose Simms, MA, CCC-SLP. From first words to complex descriptions, help your students or loved ones find their voice with the most engaging language app on the market.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Describe it to me at 5.0 against Expressive Builder's 2.8. Describe it to me also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10). Expressive Builder's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 28 months) and price ($9.99 vs $14.99). On review sentiment, ratings volume, 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

Expressive Builder costs $9.99 and Describe it to me $14.99 up front. Expressive Builder sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Describe it to me asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Describe it to me holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 95% of Expressive Builder's written reviews are positive against 100% of Describe it to me's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Expressive Builder ships an update every 4 months, Describe it to me every 28 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Expressive Builder versus Describe it to me: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExpressive BuilderDescribe it to me
Price$9.99 — better$14.99
Rating2.8 (4 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews95.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings46 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 28 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS12.1 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB89 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMobile Education Store LLCSmarty Ears

Customer experience

Expressive Builder

All ratings4 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral75.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.1%
Negative3.4%

Describe it to me

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Expressive Builder

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Cannot choose picture set
  • Skip image button not present after update

Requested features

14 requests
  • Bring back the skip image button
  • Wider variety of ethnicities represented
  • Ability to have words read aloud
  • Ability to have hints read aloud
  • Highlighting word as it is read
Show 9 more
  • Add a 'gaming' picture pack
  • Ability to upload personal photographs
  • More sets without in-app purchases
  • Ability to archive more students
  • Add older children (teens) to original pack
  • Ability to go to next/previous image at any time
  • Text to speech for non-readers
  • Play button on the first page
  • Tap on words to have them read aloud

Describe it to me

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Expressive Builder

One-time10
  • School Game Pack$1.99
  • Sports Game Pack$1.99
  • Hobbies Game Pack$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Inside Playtime Game Pack$1.99
  • Medical Game Pack$1.99
  • Pets Game Pack$1.99
  • Places Game Pack$1.99
  • Playground Game Pack$1.99
  • Winter Game Pack$1.99
  • All Game Packs$19.99
None

Describe it to me

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Expressive Builder free?
Expressive Builder costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Describe it to me free?
Describe it to me costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Expressive Builder or Describe it to me?
Describe it to me is rated higher. Expressive Builder averages 2.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Describe it to me averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Expressive Builder or Describe it to me have ads?
Neither Expressive Builder nor Describe it to me shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Expressive Builder or Describe it to me?
Expressive Builder ships an update every 4 months, and Describe it to me every 28 months. Most recently, Expressive Builder was updated on October 24, 2026 and Describe it to me on October 29, 2026.

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