Comparison

SymbolSupport 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

SymbolSupport

This iPad utility app enhances text by automatically adding symbols above typed or pasted content. It features text-to-speech with word-by-word highlighting and offers extensive symbol libraries. Documents can be easily shared as PDFs or in a proprietary format.

Highlights
  • Automatic symbol addition to text
  • Text-to-speech with highlighting
  • Pre-loaded and searchable symbol libraries
  • Image import from camera roll and internet
  • Customizable symbol assignment
  • Document sharing via AirDrop, email, and cloud storage
Read full description

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. SymbolSupport Lite is a separate and 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.

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

SymbolSupport3 screens
DonKeyBoard AAC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DonKeyBoard AAC at 100% against SymbolSupport's 50%. DonKeyBoard AAC also leads on price (Free vs $59.99) and rating (4.5 vs 4.0). SymbolSupport's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). On ratings volume, 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

DonKeyBoard AAC is free to download; SymbolSupport costs $59.99 up front. 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 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of SymbolSupport's written reviews are positive against 100% of DonKeyBoard AAC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SymbolSupport ships an update every 5 weeks, DonKeyBoard AAC every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SymbolSupport versus DonKeyBoard AAC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSymbolSupportDonKeyBoard AAC
Price$59.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (3 ratings)4.5 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size293 MB14 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperAttainment CompanyGuappa Desarrollo Integral SL

Customer experience

SymbolSupport

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

DonKeyBoard AAC

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

In-app purchases

None

SymbolSupport

No in-app purchases

None

DonKeyBoard AAC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SymbolSupport free?
SymbolSupport costs $59.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is DonKeyBoard AAC free?
DonKeyBoard AAC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SymbolSupport or DonKeyBoard AAC?
DonKeyBoard AAC is rated higher. SymbolSupport averages 4.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while DonKeyBoard AAC averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do SymbolSupport or DonKeyBoard AAC have ads?
Neither SymbolSupport nor DonKeyBoard AAC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SymbolSupport or DonKeyBoard AAC?
SymbolSupport ships an update every 5 weeks, and DonKeyBoard AAC every 3 weeks. Most recently, SymbolSupport was updated on October 1, 2026 and DonKeyBoard AAC on October 10, 2026.

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