Comparison

iSpeak Button vs Describing Skills

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

Head to head
About

iSpeak Button

Record and play back a single custom message with a large, colorful button. Ideal for beginning communicators and individuals needing a simple, accessible device. Offers text customization and rotation lock.

Highlights
  • Record and play single messages
  • Large, customizable button surface
  • Add custom text to button
  • Choose from twelve color options
  • Rotation lock to prevent screen flipping
  • Over-recordable messages
Features
Read full description

iSpeak Button is a single message talker. It is an affordable single communication button. You can record your own personal message, and play it back with the touch of a button. This is perfect for beginning communicators, and people who require a large button surface. You can record over your message as many times as you need. You can add custom text to your button. You can rotate the button from the settings instead of on-the-fly to prevent screen-flip stimming. Button comes in twelve different color choices. The color can be changed from the settings. Need to speak sequences? Search for "iSpeak Sequences", a single switch that says up to 10 phrases you record. Need a grid of buttons? Search for "iSpeak Grid" for up to 16 buttons per screen. Need a full AAC app? "iVocalize" is a great communication app with loads of features for under $10. How to use iSpeak Button: To configure your iSpeak Button, hit the little (i) symbol in the bottom right corner of your device. From here you can enter your text, choose your button color, and enable rotation. To record a message, hit the "Start Recording" button. The circle to the right of the button will spin, this is how you know it is recording. When you are done with your message simply tap the "Stop Recording" button. Be sure your device is capable of recording sound! iPad and iPad2 have built in microphones. All iPhones have microphones. iPod touches 2nd-3rd generation need you to plug in a mic, and 4th has a built in mic. More help can be found on our website: http://www.goatella.com/

About

Describing Skills

Features
Read full description

Does your learner struggle with describing objects, people and events? These expressive language skills can be challenging for children with Autism/Aspergers and for adults with aphasia or other cognitive issues. The Describing Skills app provides step-by-step activities to quickly build the ability to describe objects, people and events in detail. What parents say about our awesome apps: *** 5 stars! Brilliant! An app that understands how kids actually learn. Thank you!
 *** 5 stars! My kids love this app because of the fun, silly sentences. I love it because it works! 
 Describing Skills provides: - Graduated practice at describing objects, people and events. Skills are built one descriptor at a time and gradually combined until they can easily describe an item using 6-10 sentences. - Audio support for weak readers. - 'At a glance' reporting shows your child's progress instantly. The ability to verbalize and describe their world is vital for all learners.   Whether it is describing an item they are looking for, recounting an incident that occurred to them, this app will ensure your learner has the ability to express their needs, concerns and interests. Other benefits: - FRUSTRATION FREE: Your learner builds skills incrementally and only progresses when mastery is shown. - REWARD CENTER: The fun and engaging Reward Center increases motivation. - EXTENSIVE REPORTING: for up to 10 players to suit the needs of parents, teachers and therapists.
 Please note: Except for very independent students, this app requires the support of a parent or therapist to evaluate a child's responses. Commit five minutes per day and you will see astounding progress! 
To evaluate the app, download the free version, which has four free levels for a single player. Additional levels and additional players can be accessed with in-app purchases. 

If you prefer no in-app purchases, download this version of this app, which includes all levels and up to 10 players. We take customer service very seriously! If you ever have a problem or find that we've missed something, contact us at our website and we will do our best to fix the problem. We collect NO private information in our app. None! Our apps do not allow unrestricted web or social media access. We conform to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

Screenshots

iSpeak Button4 screens
Describing Skills4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iSpeak Button at $3.99 against Describing Skills's $9.99. iSpeak Button also leads on update cadence (every 16 months vs every 34 months) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.2). On ads, in-app purchases 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

iSpeak Button costs $3.99 and Describing Skills $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iSpeak Button ships an update every 16 months, Describing Skills every 34 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
iSpeak Button versus Describing Skills: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriSpeak ButtonDescribing Skills
Price$3.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 16 months — betterEvery 34 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.2
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoatellaJanine Toole

In-app purchases

None

iSpeak Button

No in-app purchases

None

Describing Skills

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iSpeak Button free?
iSpeak Button costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Describing Skills free?
Describing Skills costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do iSpeak Button or Describing Skills have ads?
Neither iSpeak Button nor Describing Skills shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iSpeak Button or Describing Skills?
iSpeak Button ships an update every 16 months, and Describing Skills every 34 months. Most recently, iSpeak Button was updated on October 17, 2026 and Describing Skills on October 6, 2026.

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