Comparison

TouchChat HD vs Visual Countdown Timer

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 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solution for individuals with speech difficulties. It offers customizable vocabulary files with words, phrases, and symbols, allowing users to communicate through synthesized or recorded messages. Multiple languages and voice options are supported.

Highlights
  • Customizable vocabulary files
  • Synthesized and recorded messages
  • Multiple language support
  • Adjustable button activation
  • Symbolstix and PCS symbol integration
  • Export/import 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. This version of TouchChat is bundled with the WordPower® series of AAC vocabularies designed by Nancy Inman. WordPower is a word-based vocabulary that allows for easy and intuitive communication. TouchChat HD with WordPower includes English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin options in a universal app supporting iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad®. Various vocabulary files are included. Visit our website for a full list of options. The Upgrade Store 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. 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). Visit www.touchchatapp.com for more information on the app and for more information and training. PRC-Saltillo (formerly known as Prentke Romich Company) is a pioneer in the field of assistive technology and AAC. 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

Visual Countdown Timer

This app helps children transition between activities with a visual countdown. A picture slowly reveals as time elapses, and a fun animation and sound reward completion. It's designed to make daily tasks more engaging and less of a struggle.

Highlights
  • Visual time progression (green to red)
  • Picture reveal as time counts down
  • Customizable reveal images
  • Time-of-day background changes
  • Reward animation and sound
  • COPPA and GDPR compliant
Features
Read full description

This is the Educational Institution Edition of "Visual Countdown Timer". It has all the great features of the normal version but comes without any Ads or InApp purchases, and is opted into Apple's volume discount for educational institutions. COPPA and GDPR compliant. Is it a battle to get your child to do something quickly? This visual countdown App was designed for my 2 year old son to help him get his reward chart star for getting dressed quickly. Getting him dressed used to take forever with many stalling strategies being deployed. Now he runs upstairs asking for the "Countdown". Watch as the timer runs from green to amber to red, helping the child understand that time is running out. A fun picture is slowly revealed as the time runs down and when the time is up the child is rewarded with an exciting sound and the picture spins. Background image changes to match the time of day, so that your child is given subtle hints as to what time of day the task they are being asked relates to. Choose your own image to reveal from your iPhones photo library to really surprise your child. Endless possible uses: * Getting dressed * Getting out the door (shoes and coats on) * Tidying * Brushing teeth * Sharing toys Turns daily struggles into fun time!

Screenshots

TouchChat HD4 screens
Visual Countdown Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Visual Countdown Timer at 100% against TouchChat HD's 53%. Visual Countdown Timer also leads on price ($3.99 vs $299.99) and rating (4.5 vs 3.9). TouchChat HD's advantage is chart position (#175 vs unranked). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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

TouchChat HD costs $299.99 and Visual Countdown Timer $3.99 up front. TouchChat HD sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Visual Countdown Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Visual Countdown Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 130 and 251 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of TouchChat HD's written reviews are positive against 100% of Visual Countdown Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TouchChat HD ships an update every 2 months, Visual Countdown Timer monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
TouchChat HD versus Visual Countdown Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTouchChat HDVisual Countdown Timer
Price$299.99$3.99 — better
Rating3.9 (130 ratings)4.5 (251 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings130251 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#175 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2.4 GB165 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPrentke Romich CompanyFehners Software LLP

Customer experience

TouchChat HD

All ratings130 ratings
Positive70.0%
Neutral5.4%
Negative24.6%
Written reviews43 reviews
Positive53.5%
Neutral4.7%
Negative41.9%

Visual Countdown Timer

All ratings251 ratings
Positive87.3%
Neutral6.8%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

12 purchases

TouchChat HD

One-time12
  • Irisbond Hiru™ Eye TrackerFree
  • Enable Acapela French Voices$11.99
  • Talk-About Vocabulary$44.99
Show 9 more
  • Arabic Vocabulary Set$49.99
  • PCS Symbol Library$49.99
  • News-2-You Service$59.99
  • iShare Individual 1-Year 2GB Subscription$59.99
  • Pixon® for TouchChat$79.99
  • News-2-You and Unique Service$99.99
  • Hebrew Language Pack$149.99
  • Gateway Vocabulary$149.99
  • iShare Team 1-Year 30GB Subscription$239.99
None

Visual Countdown Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TouchChat HD free?
TouchChat HD costs $299.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Visual Countdown Timer free?
Visual Countdown Timer costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TouchChat HD or Visual Countdown Timer?
Visual Countdown Timer is rated higher. TouchChat HD averages 3.9 out of 5 from 130 ratings, while Visual Countdown Timer averages 4.5 from 251 ratings.
Do TouchChat HD or Visual Countdown Timer have ads?
Neither TouchChat HD nor Visual Countdown Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TouchChat HD or Visual Countdown Timer?
TouchChat HD ships an update every 2 months, and Visual Countdown Timer monthly. Most recently, TouchChat HD was updated on September 24, 2026 and Visual Countdown Timer on September 23, 2026.

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