Comparison

Verbal Me vs Symbol Overlay Maker

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

Head to head
About

Verbal Me

This AAC and choice board app assists nonverbal children in classroom participation. Users tap buttons to hear spoken words or phrases, with customizable pages and pre-built options for various learning needs. It supports Bluetooth switch access for users with dexterity challenges.

Highlights
  • Tap-to-speak buttons
  • Customizable pages with editable text and pictures
  • Pre-built learning pages
  • Spanish language option
  • Bluetooth switch compatibility
  • Page navigation options
Read full description

This easy-to-use AAC and choice board app was suggested and edited by special needs teachers and therapists to help nonverbal kids participate in class. Users tap a button and the iPad or iPhone speaks the button text aloud in either a boy's or girl's voice. Page choices include yes/no, alphabet, numbers, interactive speaking clock, skip counting, opposites, colors, world map, US coins, bullying, getting dressed, using the bathroom, seasons, emotions, BINGO, body parts, life cycle of a butterfly, custom pages with editable text and pictures. Educators and parents can switch pages by sliding one finger from the upper right to the lower left of the iPad screen. Alternatively, turn on the settings and arrow buttons to let kids switch pages. Choose from over 100 prebuilt pages with colorful buttons and create up to 100 additional pages with custom buttons you can edit. A Spanish-language version is also available. SWITCH USERS: Students with dexterity challenges can use a Bluetooth switch with Verbal Me. First, open your iPad or iPhone Settings app. In the Bluetooth section, turn on Bluetooth and connect to the switch device. Then in Verbal Me, button 1 could be assigned to advance to next button and button 2 to press the button. Or on 1-button switches, turn on auto scanning in the Verbal Me settings (gear icon), and press your switch button when the desired button is selected.

About

Symbol Overlay Maker

Easily create printable symbol overlays for communication devices and switches. Supports core words, classroom activities, and home communication with a large symbol library.

Highlights
  • Create printable symbol overlays
  • Supports speech devices and switches
  • Includes SymbolStix symbol set
  • Supports core words and activities
  • Printable for home and classroom use
Features
Read full description

The AbleNet Symbol Overlay app supports best outcomes by providing an easy way for therapists, teachers, and parents to quickly create printable symbol overlays for AbleNet speech devices and accessibility switches. Individuals benefit from the added context and support a symbol overlay provides. The AbleNet Symbol Overlay Maker app now includes the best-in-class SymbolStix symbol set with thousands of high-quality symbols. Create and print symbol overlays to support core words, activities in the classroom, and communication at home.

Screenshots

Verbal Me4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Symbol Overlay Maker at Free against Verbal Me's $8.99. Verbal Me's advantage is rating (3.9 vs 2.8) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Symbol Overlay Maker is free to download; Verbal Me costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Verbal Me holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Verbal Me ships an update every 3 months, Symbol Overlay Maker every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Verbal Me versus Symbol Overlay Maker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVerbal MeSymbol Overlay Maker
Price$8.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (9 ratings) — better2.8 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews76.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB142 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerfishdog.netAbleNet

Customer experience

Verbal Me

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral28.6%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive76.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.5%

Symbol Overlay Maker

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Verbal Me

No in-app purchases

None

Symbol Overlay Maker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Verbal Me free?
Verbal Me costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Symbol Overlay Maker free?
Symbol Overlay Maker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Verbal Me or Symbol Overlay Maker?
Verbal Me is rated higher. Verbal Me averages 3.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Symbol Overlay Maker averages 2.8 from 5 ratings.
Do Verbal Me or Symbol Overlay Maker have ads?
Neither Verbal Me nor Symbol Overlay Maker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Verbal Me or Symbol Overlay Maker?
Verbal Me ships an update every 3 months, and Symbol Overlay Maker every 6 months. Most recently, Verbal Me was updated on November 1, 2026 and Symbol Overlay Maker on November 7, 2026.

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