Comparison

Decoding Chart vs DonKeyBoard AAC

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

Head to head
About

Decoding Chart

This app is part of a reading and writing curriculum designed for beginning readers or those who have struggled with literacy. It helps children transition from recognizing sounds to understanding letter spellings, using color-coded charts to guide them.

Highlights
  • Sound-to-letter decoding
  • Color-coded spelling guidance
  • Frequency-based spelling order
  • Part of a comprehensive reading program
  • Supports beginning readers
Features
Read full description

Center for Innovation in Education Decoding Chart - Flip Dekodiphukan Description The tenth of the fourteen apps that comprise the Baratta-Lorton Reading Program. The Reading Program is a reading and writing curriculum for beginning readers and any child who has already experienced difficulty in learning to read. 99% unique – 100% effective - 100% free Background for the fourteen apps The Baratta-Lorton Reading Program also known as Dekodiphukan (pronounced decode if you can) was developed by the Center for Innovation in Education whose many other offerings include Mathematics Their Way, the first non-traditional math curriculum adopted in by the State of California. Dekodiphukan has been in use in classrooms across the United States and Canada since 1985. The Program has been used to teach thousands of children to read and to write regardless of background or supposed lack of reading readiness. To date, no child using the program in a classroom setting has ever failed to learn to read or to write. This Dekodiphukan reading and writing curriculum is now a series of fourteen apps plus a parent-guide for the iPad that, within a period of six months to a year (or occasionally a bit longer for some special needs children), will enable every child using it to read and to write. Reading with enjoyment. Writing creatively. Decoding Chart - FLIP The tenth of the Fourteen Apps The Decoding Chart converts words written in sounds to words written in letters.  It is the vehicle for transitioning the child from sounds to letters.  Its use is introduced once the child can comfortably read and write phrases. The Chart contains the pictures of all forty-four sounds arranged in the same rows and in the same order within each row as they are in the Stamping app.  Beneath each sound picture are various ways that sound may be spelled.  The spellings listed beneath each sound appear in order of frequency of occurrence in the words which beginning readers are most likely to encounter. Each of the spellings that appear beneath the sound pictures are color coded.  The first spelling of each sound is coded white.  If a second spelling is listed, it is coded yellow.  Third spellings are red, fourth spellings are blue, fifth are green, sixth are brown, and seventh are purple.  The color codings indicate to the child which spelling is to be used to write the letters for a word. The Decoding Chart does not contain all possible spellings for each sound.  It does, however, contain the spellings that appear in ninety-five to ninety-eight percent of the words the child will encounter while learning to read and write. A parent guide to how to use the Decoding Chart is included in The Guide instructions for the Writing Worksheets. Two Apps and the Decoding Chart Download Chart – Levels The Decoding Chart-Levels app displays the chart in five different levels, each level matching one of the five levels of the Reading Program. Chart - Flip The Decoding Chart-Flip app displays half the chart on one side and half on the other side of a flip view. Download While the Decoding Chart is available in two app formats and moving between apps is possible with a double-click of the Home button on the iPad, the double-clicking process may not be easily managed by the child. A more child-accessible version of the Decoding Chart can be downloaded from the Center’s website and printed out. Decoding Chart Converts words in sounds to words in letters Introduced once the child can comfortably read phrases Available in two different app forms Also downloadable from the Center’s website Instructions for its use are included in The Guide’s Writing Worksheet instructions

About

DonKeyBoard AAC

This app facilitates communication for individuals with speech difficulties using pictograms, voice, and text. It offers a customizable interface and offline functionality to support everyday expression of needs, emotions, and messages.

Highlights
  • Pictogram, voice, and text communication
  • Tap to speak, press and hold for phrases
  • In-app typing and favorites
  • Customizable buttons, icons, and colors
  • Personal photos for custom buttons
  • Adjustable voice settings
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

DonKeyBoard is an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app that helps people express themselves in a fast, clear, and accessible way. Using pictograms, voice, and text, it supports everyday communication for needs, pain, emotions, actions, and important daily messages. DonKeyBoard is designed for people with communication difficulties, including: • children and adults with autism or language delay • people with aphasia • people with ALS • people recovering after surgery • anyone who needs an easier and more immediate way to make themselves understood The app is free, works 100% offline, and does not collect personal data. DonKeyBoard is built around simplicity, speed, and personalization, so each user can adapt it to their own communication style. Main features • Fast communication with pictograms, voice, and text • Tap once to speak a message • Press and hold to expand the phrase • In-app typing • Favorites for quick access to important content • Customizable buttons, categories, icons, colors, and text size • Personal photos for custom buttons • Hide, reorder, and adapt buttons for each user • Adjustable voice, speech rate, and pitch • Send messages to three selected contacts • A built-in game to learn how to use the app • Export and import profiles, including preferences, custom buttons, and photos All content works directly on the device, making DonKeyBoard reliable in everyday situations even without an internet connection. DonKeyBoard was created from a very personal motivation: to build a tool that could genuinely make daily communication easier. The project continues to evolve through real-world use and feedback from families, caregivers, teachers, and professionals. For suggestions, questions, or feedback, contact: donkeyboard@icloud.com

Screenshots

DonKeyBoard AAC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DonKeyBoard AAC at 4.5 against Decoding Chart's 3.5. DonKeyBoard AAC also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 71 months). Decoding Chart's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DonKeyBoard AAC holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Decoding Chart ships an update every 71 months, DonKeyBoard AAC every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Decoding Chart versus DonKeyBoard AAC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDecoding ChartDonKeyBoard AAC
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (2 ratings)4.5 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyEvery 71 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB14 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperBob Baratta-LortonGuappa Desarrollo Integral SL

Customer experience

Decoding Chart

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

DonKeyBoard AAC

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Decoding Chart

No in-app purchases

None

DonKeyBoard AAC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Decoding Chart free?
Decoding Chart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DonKeyBoard AAC free?
DonKeyBoard AAC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Decoding Chart or DonKeyBoard AAC?
DonKeyBoard AAC is rated higher. Decoding Chart averages 3.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while DonKeyBoard AAC averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Decoding Chart or DonKeyBoard AAC have ads?
Neither Decoding Chart nor DonKeyBoard AAC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Decoding Chart or DonKeyBoard AAC?
Decoding Chart ships an update every 71 months, and DonKeyBoard AAC every 3 weeks. Most recently, Decoding Chart was updated on October 11, 2026 and DonKeyBoard AAC on October 21, 2026.

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