Comparison

HandySpeech vs Speech Assistant AAC

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

Head to head
About

HandySpeech

This app translates handwritten text into spoken language, offering a portable and intuitive communication tool for individuals with speech and hearing impairments. It learns handwriting styles, supports multiple languages, and includes speech recognition for two-way conversations.

Highlights
  • Handwriting to speech translation
  • Learns user's handwriting
  • Supports cursive and print
  • Natural sounding voices in 12 languages
  • Speech recognition for two-way conversation
  • Remembers frequently used phrases
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

HandySpeech Is The Gift Of Voice! APPROVED: Dr. Bernard Grela, Ph.D. Associate Professor Interim Department Chair Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences University of Connecticut The only handwriting-to-speech application for iOS devices, HandySpeech provides people with speech and hearing disabilities a quick and easy conversational tool. The application’s ability to translate handwritten text into spoken language makes HandySpeech easier to use and more natural than commercially available keyboarding solutions. Because HandySpeech can be used on mobile devices, it is portable and readily accessible. The application remembers frequently used phrases, learns the user’s handwriting style, understands cursive, print and mixed writing styles and contains a dictionary for unusual words. The application generates natural sounding, best on the market male and female voices in a total of 12 languages. HandySpeech is a valuable tool for individuals with a variety of speech and language impairments, including those who are living with oral, head and neck cancer, Muscular Dystrophy, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or autism; have experienced stroke or brain injury; and those with post-operative voice difficulties. It is quick to learn conversational tool for people with vocal cords impairments due to surgery, paralysis, vocal nodules and others. HandySpeech can listen too: with speech recognition module, powered by Nuance, HandySpeech can be used by deaf and hard of hearing people for two way “verbal” conversation with the hearing individuals. The application was created by a twelve-year-old boy who was inspired by his sister, an autistic young girl with speech disabilities. “I invented HandySpeech to give a voice to people who find it difficult to or are unable to speak,” said Eric Zeiberg. “The application is dedicated to courageous people who struggle every day to overcome their disabilities. I hope that HandySpeech will provide much needed help and open new opportunities for people in need.” HandySpeech: •Assistive Speech Technology •Easy to use, intuitive interface, portable •It remembers you favorite and frequently used phrases for use at the store, doctor's office, on the phone ("I am using assistive device - please be patient") - even quicker ability to say something. •Advance handwriting recognition technology: - corrects written words based on user's intention; - improves ability to recognize user's handwriting over time; •Can be used anywhere - either WIFI of Cell connection and even with NO connection •One time payment includes iPad, iPhone, iPod and all future updates. •Alternative keyboard and whole screen input What People are saying about HandySpeech * "The app has given my best friend back to me. It's not my husband's voice, but it's his words" * "A nice contribution to quality of live for speech impaired folks." * "HandySpeech is the Gift of Voice" * "We can't believe - it's a God send!" * "What you have done is beyond expectation!" * "Sounds like a winner for so many!" * "This app will help so many who have struggled throughout their lives to be heard." To learn more about the HandySpeech application visit www.iSpeak4U.com. HandySpeech was created by iSpeak4U, LLC., a provider of software products and services, iSpeak4U is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with disabilities through innovations in assistive technologies. Its mission is to create easy-to-use mobile applications to help people with disabilities to achieve an independent lifestyle, open new opportunities, and reach their full potential.

About

Speech Assistant AAC

This text-to-speech app assists individuals with speech impairments by allowing them to create custom buttons with saved phrases and symbols. It offers a fully customizable interface, various voice options including AI clones, and can be used during phone calls. The app supports multiple user profiles and iCloud backups for easy data transfer.

Highlights
  • Customizable buttons with phrases and symbols
  • Multiple voice options including AI clones
  • Full-screen mode for large font display
  • Category and subcategory organization
  • User profiles for multiple individuals
  • iCloud backup and transfer
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Speech Assistant AAC is a text-to-speech app designed for people who are speech impaired, for example due to Aphasia, MND/ALS, Autism, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy or other speech problems. With the app you can create categories and save phrases on buttons for quick access and easy communication. You can also type messages using the iOS keyboard. The app is affordable with a one-time payment and no subscription. Key features • Easy to use and fully customizable to your needs and preferences. • Categories and subcategories to organize your phrases. • History feature to quickly access previously entered phrases. • Option to add symbols, emoji or photos to the buttons. • Full screen mode to display your messages in large font. • Autocomplete feature to display phrase suggestions in a drop-down list. • Tabs for multiple conversations. • Designed for iPhone and iPad, supports both portrait and landscape orientation. • Supports Apple Watch. • Backup to iCloud, Mail or AirDrop. Voices • You can choose a voice from any of the iOS system voices. • Supports ElevenLabs voices, giving you the option to use highly realistic AI professional voice clones. • Supports Apple's Personal Voice. • Option to create voice recordings for the buttons and to import voice recordings. Phone calls • The app can also be used while making Phone and FaceTime calls. • This works with iOS system voices and with iOS 18 also with ElevenLabs voices and regular recordings (app setting). Categories and phrases • Add, change or delete your own (sub)categories and phrases. • You can create an unlimited number of categories to organize your phrases for quick access. • Create user profiles with their own categories, phrases and settings for multi-language support or different individuals. • Easily edit category and phrase buttons with a long press. • With Backup to iCloud or AirDrop you can transfer your categories and phrases to another iPhone/iPad. Fully Customizable • The size of the buttons, the textbox and the text can be adjusted. • The app has various color schemes and you can also create a personal color scheme. • You can change the order of the buttons with drag and drop. Full screen • Show your message full screen with a very large font. • Useful for communicating in a noisy environment. • You can rotate the text to show your message to the person opposite of you. Speech • The rate and pitch of the speech can be adjusted. • Option to speak each Word or Character directly while typing. • Optional highlighting of the spoken words. • Pause and resume speaking by tapping the speak button (optional setting). Apple Watch • The Watch app can especially be useful for communicating short messages. • On the go, you don't have to pick up your phone and can quicky communicate with the app on your wrist. Other features • Button to share your message to mail, text and social media. • Connect a bluetooth keyboard and create shortcuts for actions. • A custom keyboard can be enabled in the settings with customizable size, color and layout. • Abbreviations expansion to reduce keystrokes. • Attention sound button on Main and Full screen. • Option to select symbols from the set of 3400 Mulberry Symbols (mulberrysymbols.org). About the app • This app is developed by ASoft. • The app does not collect any data, so all your conversations stay private. • One-time payment, there is no subscription fee. • The app has won an innovation award: The Vodafone Mobiles For Good Challenge. • The app does not require an internet connection. • For feedback or questions, please contact: speechassistant@asoft.nl. • On www.asoft.nl you can find more information such as a user manual.

Screenshots

HandySpeech4 screens
Speech Assistant AAC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HandySpeech at $2.99 against Speech Assistant AAC's $24.99. HandySpeech also leads on iOS requirement (8.2 vs 15.5). Speech Assistant AAC's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.5) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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

HandySpeech costs $2.99 and Speech Assistant AAC $24.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Speech Assistant AAC holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Speech Assistant AAC has 103 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of HandySpeech's written reviews are positive against 83% of Speech Assistant AAC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HandySpeech ships an update every 7 months, Speech Assistant AAC every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
HandySpeech versus Speech Assistant AAC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandySpeechSpeech Assistant AAC
Price$2.99 — better$24.99
Rating3.5 (4 ratings)4.6 (103 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews83.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4103 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#29 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS8.2 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size101 MB131 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEric ZeibergTon Schalke

Customer experience

HandySpeech

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Speech Assistant AAC

All ratings103 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral6.8%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews89 reviews
Positive83.1%
Neutral7.9%
Negative9.0%

Bugs and requests

HandySpeech

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Speech Assistant AAC

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Default category button cannot be deleted
  • Images with transparent backgrounds turn white
  • Color picker does not work
  • Blank word slot in new subcategories cannot be deleted
  • Recorded or imported audio on buttons doesn't play on phone calls
Show 12 more
  • Cannot send voice message to WhatsApp
  • App crashes on iOS 17.5.1 on iPhone XS
  • Hex codes keep changing after input
  • Return key to send/speak disabled in latest update
  • Syncing from iPad to iPhone not happening
  • Categories don't stay on conversation when switching tabs
  • App keeps crashing/freezing
  • Option to not read directly seems to no longer work
  • Speech button not working
  • Syncing between iPhone and iPad not working
  • App crashes when another app uses speaker
  • Voice output not heard during phone calls

Requested features

42 requests
  • Ability to move sub-categories
  • Toggle for reading category names
  • Sub-sub-categories
  • Option to choose image files
  • Color picker for customization
Show 37 more
  • Delete blank word slot in subcategories
  • Send text to speech to WhatsApp
  • Shortcut to Control Panel
  • Ability to reset element sizes
  • Ability to clone own voice
  • Drag option for moving positions
  • Syncing between devices
  • More symbols for basic words
  • Control AI devices (Echo, Google)
  • Child voices for TTS
  • Option to use only iPhone/iPad speaker easily
  • Better autocorrect
  • Fix mispronunciation of words
  • Ability to print phrases from app
  • Change font size of settings/documentation
  • More than 5 choices in 'Clear/Restore'
  • Ability to create sub-categories
  • Record/import audio on phone calls
  • Full screen mode
  • Option for UK female voice
  • Draw within the app and convert to text
  • Customize buttons with color
  • Add own voice to phrases
  • Eye control app
  • Make pictures on text buttons appear in read-out windows
  • Use own pre-recorded voice
  • Text can be shown in large print
  • Add a lock on app configuration
  • Use own voice for TTS
  • More advanced audio options
  • Better integration with other apps
  • Option to not read directly when disabled
  • Full functionality access for recording sessions
  • Return key to send/speak functionality
  • Sync categories with conversation tabs
  • Ability to delete default category button
  • Support for other languages

In-app purchases

None

HandySpeech

No in-app purchases

None

Speech Assistant AAC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HandySpeech free?
HandySpeech costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Speech Assistant AAC free?
Speech Assistant AAC costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HandySpeech or Speech Assistant AAC?
Speech Assistant AAC is rated higher. HandySpeech averages 3.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Speech Assistant AAC averages 4.6 from 103 ratings.
Do HandySpeech or Speech Assistant AAC have ads?
Neither HandySpeech nor Speech Assistant AAC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HandySpeech or Speech Assistant AAC?
HandySpeech ships an update every 7 months, and Speech Assistant AAC every 3 weeks. Most recently, HandySpeech was updated on September 7, 2026 and Speech Assistant AAC on September 21, 2026.

Other comparisons