Comparison

First Phrases Lite vs Speech Cards Lite

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

Head to head
About

First Phrases Lite

This app helps toddlers and children learning basic English phrases to develop language skills. It uses interactive animations and audio to teach verb-noun combinations, encouraging both listening and speaking practice.

Highlights
  • Interactive animations
  • Audio and visual learning
  • Record and playback speech
  • Verb + noun phrase practice
  • Speech therapy support
  • Early literacy development
Features
Read full description

This interactive, beautifully illustrated and animated app for the iPad, iPhone and Mac is perfect for the toddler or speech-delayed child who is learning how to put two-three words together or any child who is learning basic English phrases. Developed by an experienced speech-language pathologist, this app provides many opportunities to both hear (receptive), see, and say/record (expressive) 10 different verb + noun combinations, such as: eat the carrot, drive the train, close the door, drink the juice, sleep on the bed, turn on the light, and more. A delightful cat performs them, with 28 possible animation combinations. It is also a great way to teach the article “the” in a meaningful phrase context. **For more verb and character choices, we suggest upgrading to the full version of this app. First Phrases Lite includes user settings for 1 child and 1 guest player. Only one user can keep data. Hamaguchi Apps is dedicated to the mission of bringing high-quality apps to the general public and professionals for affordable prices. We do not have subscriptions for our apps--you download them and they are yours. How you play: Tell the cat what to do! By touching the illustrated parts of the phrases in order (verb+ object forms: “eat the carrot”) the child hears the pre-recorded spoken phrase modeled. The user has the option to repeat this action once, twice or three times in the settings for maximum auditory input. The child then watches an animation of the cat performing the command to help the child associate the words and their meaning. Now it’s the child’s turn to say it and tell the cat what to do! Touch the microphone and record, listen again, and watch the animal follow your direction. Use the optional visual support by tapping on the shapes above the microphone. An adult can score the parts of the phrases. All correct? The cat gives a thumbs up and we hear a praise phrase such as "Awesome!". Tap on End Session to see the data and replay any missed items. This format is especially powerful for children with speech delays and autism spectrum disorders who need strong visual support with as little background clutter as possible, and for use in speech therapy sessions. The format also is a terrific way to support early literacy for left to right orientation, reading (with text on feature) and word boundaries. Options include text on/text off, recording feature on/off, presentation of the phrase in 3 segments (verb + the + object) or 2 segments (verb + the object). Developed by noted speech-language pathologist Patti Hamaguchi, who is the author of several books in the speech-language pathology field including, "Childhood Speech, Language & Listening Problems: What Every Parent Should Know". Patti is also the author or co-author of several standardized tests including the RESCA-E, the TAPS4, the ELCI and upcoming tests the RESCA-ELD, RESCA-A and the Hamaguchi Speech-Language Screening Test. PRIVACY POLICY: We do NOT collect personal data from our users and have no ads! Personal data regarding user performance on the tasks on this app are self-contained and not transmitted in any way to any third parties including us. It is on your device only. *Please contact our tech support at info@hamaguchiapps.com if you are experiencing any technical issues with our apps. We will always help you troubleshoot it and get back to you generally within one business day. To find out more about this app and our other upcoming projects, visit our website: www.hamaguchiapps.com

About

Speech Cards Lite

Enhance speech and language abilities with a flashcard tool. Customize cards with text, pictures, and audio, and use the microphone for speaking practice and immediate feedback. Ideal for vocabulary building, articulation, and communication skill development.

Highlights
  • Customizable text, photos, and audio
  • Microphone for voice recording and playback
  • Create and share custom cards
  • Email cards as PDF
  • Screen lock functionality
  • Supports multiple learning uses
Features
Read full description

Improve speech & language skills with Speech Cards, a flashcard app for people of all ages. *** In this FREE download, you will get 1 deck, 10 cards, the ability to create 1 additional deck, and support for 1 student. An upgrade to the PROFESSIONAL version of Speech Cards is available for purchase within the app. *** Each card shows customizable text and a picture. Tap on the text or picture to hear an audio recording. Use the microphone to practice speaking and then listen to get immediate feedback. Create and share cards with your friends and colleagues. Speech Cards is a versatile app that can be used in many ways: 1. Communication Photo Book - Increase receptive and expressive vocabulary skills. 2. Articulation Cards - Practice sounds to increase articulation skills. - Listen to your recorded voice with microphone for feedback. 3. First Words 4. Category Words - For example, "animals", "food", "things that go" 5. Reading, Sight Words, Literacy 6. Social Stories - Create your own stories with text, pictures and audio. 7. Encourage use of Spoken Language/Communication Skills. 8. Learn a Second Language. *** LITE VERSION FEATURES *** * 1 Deck Included (Animals) * 10 Cards Included * Create 1 additional deck. * Create up to 10 cards in each deck * Customizable Text, Photos and Audio * Email Cards as PDF * Share custom cards with other users of Speech Cards * Screen Lock * Microphone for student to Record and Listen to their own voice *** Includes In App Purchase to unlock features of Speech Cards Professional *** *** Disclosure *** At RWH Technology we are committed to the privacy and safety of our customers and their children. This app: - Does not collect/share any user's personally identifiable information. - Does not contain Social Network Integration or Links. - Does not contain ads. - Does not contain push notifications. - Does include In-App-Purchase to unlock features of Professional Version.

Screenshots

First Phrases Lite4 screens
Speech Cards Lite4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: First Phrases Lite at 3.7 against Speech Cards Lite's 1.5. First Phrases Lite also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (86% vs 67%). Speech Cards Lite's advantage is iOS requirement (9.3 vs 16.6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Both are free to download. Speech Cards Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. First Phrases Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

First Phrases Lite holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of First Phrases Lite's written reviews are positive against 67% of Speech Cards Lite's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

First Phrases Lite ships an update every 4 months, Speech Cards Lite every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
First Phrases Lite versus Speech Cards Lite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFirst Phrases LiteSpeech Cards Lite
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings) — better1.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews86.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.69.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size612 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHamaguchi Learning & Development, LLCRWH Technology, LLC

Customer experience

First Phrases Lite

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive86.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative4.0%

Speech Cards Lite

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

First Phrases Lite

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Upgrade credit issue
  • App doesn't work right anymore
  • Same verb every time
  • App is slow to recognize touch
  • Record button freezing on launch
Show 1 more
  • Phrases need tapping multiple times

Requested features

7 requests
  • Credit for light version upgrade
  • App to improve articulation
  • Longer recording time
  • Option for British narrator
  • Detect speech for animation
Show 2 more
  • Disable pause button
  • Disable screen touch pause

Speech Cards Lite

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

First Phrases Lite

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Speech Cards Lite

One-time1
  • Professional Upgrade$9.99

Questions

Is First Phrases Lite free?
First Phrases Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Speech Cards Lite free?
Speech Cards Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, First Phrases Lite or Speech Cards Lite?
First Phrases Lite is rated higher. First Phrases Lite averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Speech Cards Lite averages 1.5 from 2 ratings.
Do First Phrases Lite or Speech Cards Lite have ads?
Neither First Phrases Lite nor Speech Cards Lite shows ads.
Which is updated more often, First Phrases Lite or Speech Cards Lite?
First Phrases Lite ships an update every 4 months, and Speech Cards Lite every 3 months. Most recently, First Phrases Lite was updated on November 6, 2026 and Speech Cards Lite on November 1, 2026.

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