Comparison

Fun & Functional vs Scan

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

Head to head
About

Fun & Functional

This app teaches users to understand and describe the function of everyday objects. It's designed for children and adults, offering a research-based curriculum to build vocabulary and literacy skills. Features include dual-mode learning, high-quality visuals, and multilingual support.

Highlights
  • Teaches object function
  • Dual-mode learning (receptive/expressive)
  • Over 20,000 visuals
  • Multilingual support (EN, ES, PT)
  • 10 functional categories
  • Customizable difficulty
  • Data tracking and reports
Features
Read full description

Unlock the power of functional communication with Fun & Functional, the premier speech therapy tool designed to teach children and adults how to understand and describe the use of everyday objects. Created by certified speech-language pathologists at Smarty Ears, this app bridges the gap between simply naming an item and truly understanding its utility in the real world. Whether you are a clinician working on Common Core standards, a teacher implementing RTI (Response to Intervention), or a parent supporting language at home, Fun & Functional provides a research-based curriculum to build "word consciousness" and advanced literacy. Why Choose Fun & Functional? Evidence-Based Practice: Built on linguistic research, the app targets verb-based vocabulary—concepts that are typically more difficult to acquire but essential for narrative and expressive language skills. Dual-Mode Learning: Addresses both receptive language (identification) and expressive language (verbal description) in a single session. High-Quality Visuals: Features over 20,000 Smarty Symbols to represent real-life items with professional clarity. Multilingual Support: Fully localized in English, Spanish, and Portuguese—the selected language determines all commands, stimuli, and clinical reports. Powerful Features for Professionals & Families 10 Functional Categories: Target specific themes including Electronics, Grooming, Occupation, Kitchen, Vehicles, and more. Customizable Complexity: Adjust settings to show 2, 3, or 4 choices per screen. Control task difficulty by selecting "Less Similar" or "More Similar" distractors. Precision Data Tracking: Automatic "Report Cards" track student progress chronologically, identifying specific areas of mastery. Therapy Report Center (TRC) Compatible: Seamlessly sync data for easy report writing and caseload management. Versatile Design: Appropriate for a wide range of learners, from early elementary students to older individuals with severe cognitive deficits or those in stroke rehabilitation. Educationally Aligned Fun & Functional is the perfect companion for the classroom, meeting Common Core State Standards for sorting common objects into categories and producing complete sentences in shared language activities. It provides the intensive monitoring required for successful RTI Tier II and III interventions. Download Fun & Functional today and help your learners move beyond naming to true functional communication!

About

Scan

Features
Read full description

This large-print, early academic program is for beginning to advanced letter users using switch-assisted input. It uses an errorless learning method. Scan-A-Word works on identification, spelling, & word recognition (for reading). Scaffolding (as much help as needed but as little as possible) is embedded so as to help those with significant cognitive challenges. This program is designed for you to easily enter lists of spelling words/phrases for the learner to practice and be tested on. WordLists consisting of hundreds of words/sounds/pictures are available from the developer's website at no charge. Scan-A-Word has built-in scanning capabilities, as well as special feedback for blind learners.

Screenshots

Fun & Functional4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Scan at $1.99 against Fun & Functional's $14.99. Scan also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). Fun & Functional's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Fun & Functional costs $14.99 and Scan $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fun & Functional ships an update every 11 months, Scan every 6 months. Both last shipped on October 4, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Fun & Functional versus Scan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFun & FunctionalScan
Price$14.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.4 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 6 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size124 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmarty EarsRJ Cooper & Associates, Inc.

In-app purchases

None

Fun & Functional

No in-app purchases

None

Scan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fun & Functional free?
Fun & Functional costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scan free?
Scan costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Fun & Functional or Scan have ads?
Neither Fun & Functional nor Scan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fun & Functional or Scan?
Fun & Functional ships an update every 11 months, and Scan every 6 months. Most recently, Fun & Functional was updated on October 4, 2026 and Scan on October 4, 2026.

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