PandaPal (AAC) vs Usign
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PandaPal (AAC)
This communication system aids non-verbal individuals in expressing themselves by activating icons and forming sentences. It offers customizable features like real photos, audio recording, and sign language visuals to enhance language skills and reduce frustration.
- Icon-based communication
- Sentence strip creation
- Customizable categories and icons
- Real photo integration
- Touch-and-hold activation
- Sign language visuals
- Customizable audio recording
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PandaPal - Autism Communication System is a user-friendly communication tool that has been proven over the past 7 years to help facilitate communication and improve language skills, designed by Kim Scott-DeLand, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist. This communication system allows non-verbal children and adults to exchange information by activating icons and creating sentence strips to exchange information. PandaPal has proven to improve the speech and language skills of thousands of children with autism in over 200 countries and growing! PandaPal was the first original application to use real photos and has its unique “touch and hold” button to avoid mistakes and over-activation of icons. PandaPal uses an adorable gender-neutral panda bear, your child’s pal, to help him/her communicate throughout the day! 3 APPS IN ONE! • “First & Then,” “Schedule Board” and an “AAC device” are all included in Panda Pal. PANDA PAL PRO • Panda Pal comes with 12 common categories, however the Pro Version allows the user to add as many photos/categories as needed. • Categories can be deleted, added or replaced and customized to meet the needs of the user. • Once a category is selected the user is taken to a new screen of that chosen page. • Each page comes with a sample of approximately 20+ icons, all of which can also be modified to meet the specific needs of the user. • PandaPal is as customizable as you would like to make it (photo, audio, word) and accessible in ALL languages! REAL HD PHOTOS • App uses real photos, so you won't see any confusing abstract drawings. • Kim has found that by using real photos her clients are more successful with communication and demonstrated 70% less frustration and confusion. SIGN LANGUAGE PHOTOS • Used for certain high frequency words such as; “want,” “please,” “yes/no” and "more." CUSTOMIZE AUDIO • This entire app was designed to be modified to meet the individual needs of the user and to allow for language growth. • Words, phrases and entire messages are recorded in digitized speech, however users can choose to re-record in their own voice or a familiar voice of mom/dad or a sibling, which has been proven to help children with autism feel more comfortable and help develop verbal speech. • Real speech provides natural prosody and allows the user to hear and model accurate speech as opposed to unnatural ‘robotic speech.’ INCIDENTAL LEARNING • Achieved by teaching your child to read by placing words directly on top or below each photo, you can modify this in settings. • Font size and color can be modified to meet your needs. TOUCH-AND-HOLD • A unique, one-of-a-kind feature, designed by Kim Scott-DeLand, M.S., CCC-SLP, to help prevent small hands from unintentionally tapping the wrong icons. • When this feature is turned on, it requires that you touch and hold the intended icon for one second, as displayed by a progress meter before activation occurs. • Now for the first time, users can touch icons without accidentally selecting them. • Kim designed this feature after hours of research with her clients and it has been proven to help clients make accurate choices. • Touch-And-Hold is optional and can be turned on or off in settings. CUSTOMIZE ICON SIZE • Only app that allows for the icon to be easily modified to fit your child’s needs. • Extra large icons (2 icons) or as small as 24 icons per page for higher-level language learners. DATA COLLECTION • Just with one tap of the star button saves a sentence that your child created. • Watch your child’s language develop and keep a record of your child’s success! • Great tool for SLP’s and educators. FIRST & THEN • Designed to teach children that one event must come before another. • For example, First "homework” and Then "snack.” • Select the events from the built-in library or take a photo and add them into a place of either ‘First’ or ‘Then.’ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Usign
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The Usign App's primary task is to look after the interests of Deaf people communicating in Sign Language providing a platform to learn sign language The Usign App contains the following Sign language categories 1.Numbers 2.The Alphabet 3.Days of the Week 4.Months of the Year 5.Time Signs 6. Fruits 7.Vegetables 8.Drinks 9.Technology Terms 10.Family 11.Domestic Anaimals 12.Weather & Climate 13. Food 14.Office Signs 15. First 100 Words Signs
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Usign at none against PandaPal (AAC)'s 1. Usign also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. PandaPal (AAC) sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $15.99 per month. Usign asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | PandaPal (AAC) | Usign |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (38 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 89.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 38 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 186 MB | 73 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kim Scott, M.S., CCC-SLP | Javanet Systems Ltd |
In-app purchases
PandaPal (AAC)
- Pandapal Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$15.991 Month
Usign
No in-app purchases









