Comparison

Spell vs SymbolSupport Lite

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

Head to head
About

Spell

This early academic program uses an errorless learning method to help users identify, spell, and recognize words. It supports external keyboards and offers special feedback for blind learners. The lite version focuses on core word learning functionalities.

Highlights
  • Errorless learning method
  • Word identification and spelling
  • Word recognition for reading
  • External keyboard support
  • Scaffolding for cognitive challenges
  • Special feedback for blind learners
Features
Read full description

A "lite" version of Spell-A-Word, our large-print, early academic program for beginning to advanced letter users. It uses an errorless learning method. Spell-A-Word works on identification, spelling, & word recognition (for reading). WORKS WITH EXTERNAL KEYBOARD, such as our Colored-Rows BigKeys, or any Bluetooth keyboard (or *any* USB keyboard)! Or choose from the regular iOS keyboard, or Spell-A-Word's own 1-row-at-a-time one). Scaffolding (as much help as needed but as little as possible) is embedded so as to help those with significant cognitive challenges. The full version allows 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. Spell-A-Word even has special feedback for blind learners.

About

SymbolSupport Lite

This app allows users to read, listen to, and print documents created with a companion app. It automatically adds symbols to text as it's typed or pasted, aiding comprehension. Users can customize symbols and share documents in various formats.

Highlights
  • Read and print symbolized documents
  • Automatic symbol addition to text
  • Text-to-speech with word highlighting
  • Symbol customization and image import
  • Document sharing via AirDrop, email, cloud
Read full description

Note: SymbolSupport Lite is a free app. It can receive, read aloud, and print documents that have been created with the SymbolSupport app. SymbolSupport Lite cannot create or edit documents. It can be upgraded to the full version through the in-app Store. SymbolSupport is an iPad utility app that effortlessly adds symbols to text. As textis typed, symbols are automatically added above it. Text can also be copied from pre-existing written materials and pasted into SymbolSupport where symbols are instantly added. Documents are read with a high-quality text-to-speech voice and include word-by-word highlighting. This support helps students better understand class assignments.Symbols from Slater Literacy Support Pictures™ and Attainment’s Image Library are included. Plus, there is easy access to your camera roll and a built-in internet image search.Easy-to-use editing tools include changing auto-assigned symbols to other symbols or imported images and removing symbols from text to reduce the number of symbols on a page. SymbolSupport is designed to create symbolized text quickly and easily. Sharing these documents is equally important. Share documents via AirDrop, email, or send to any cloud storage setup on the iPad. Documents can be sent as a PDF for studentportfolios or shared with parents. Documents can also be sent as a SymbolSupport file which can be opened by SymbolSupport or SymbolSupport Lite apps.

Screenshots

SymbolSupport Lite3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SymbolSupport Lite at 3.3 against Spell's 2.0. SymbolSupport Lite also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Spell sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SymbolSupport Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SymbolSupport Lite holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spell ships an update every 6 months, SymbolSupport Lite every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Spell versus SymbolSupport Lite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpellSymbolSupport Lite
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings)3.3 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB304 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRJ Cooper & Associates, Inc.Attainment Company

Customer experience

Spell

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

SymbolSupport Lite

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Spell

One-time1
  • Upgrade to Full Version of Spell-A-Word$4.99
1 purchases

SymbolSupport Lite

One-time1
  • Upgrade to Full Version$59.99

Questions

Is Spell free?
Spell is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SymbolSupport Lite free?
SymbolSupport Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Spell or SymbolSupport Lite?
SymbolSupport Lite is rated higher. Spell averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while SymbolSupport Lite averages 3.3 from 4 ratings.
Do Spell or SymbolSupport Lite have ads?
Neither Spell nor SymbolSupport Lite shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Spell or SymbolSupport Lite?
Spell ships an update every 6 months, and SymbolSupport Lite every 6 weeks. Most recently, Spell was updated on October 18, 2026 and SymbolSupport Lite on October 23, 2026.

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