Comparison

SymbolSupport vs KineScribe

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

KineScribe

This application allows users to create, edit, and read dance notation scores using Laban movement principles. It offers a comprehensive symbol palette and tools for customization, enabling easy sharing and integration with other notation software.

Highlights
  • Create and edit structured notation scores
  • Support for Motif and Language of Dance scores
  • Import and read LabanWriter scores
  • Extensive symbol palette for movement notation
  • Customizable tools with multiple colors and backgrounds
  • Save and share scores as PDFs
  • Multi-page score creation
Read full description

KineScribe reimagines LabanWriter for iOS and MacOS, allowing you to write dances in Laban movement notation and quickly edit scores and symbols. Development of this app was supported by Reed College and the National Endowment for the Humanities, with the cooperation and continued support of The Ohio State University.
 Make Scores: KineScribe creates and edits structured notation scores on the staff, Motif scores, and scores using Language of Dance.
 Read Scores: KineScribe reads all scores imported from LabanWriter.
 Edit Scores: KineScribe edits scores created in-app or with LabanWriter.
 Symbol Palette: Includes directions, levels, paths, rotations, bows, staff, floor plan, text input, and more. App updates will increase the number of available symbols and modifications.
 Tools: Choose graph paper or plain background. Make multiple-page scores. Choose from 20 colors for each symbol.
 Save and Share: Email KineScribe files as PDFs from in-app command. Read, edit, and print saved KineScribe files in LabanWriter through iTunes sync.
 For more information: https://u.osu.edu/kinescribe/

Screenshots

SymbolSupport3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: KineScribe at Free against SymbolSupport's $59.99. KineScribe also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0). SymbolSupport's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On ads, in-app purchases 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

KineScribe 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

KineScribe holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SymbolSupport ships an update every 5 weeks, KineScribe every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SymbolSupport versus KineScribe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSymbolSupportKineScribe
Price$59.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad, Mac
Requires iOS12.0 — better15
Further details — not scored
Size293 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAttainment CompanyDavid Ralley

Customer experience

SymbolSupport

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

KineScribe

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SymbolSupport

No in-app purchases

None

KineScribe

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SymbolSupport free?
SymbolSupport costs $59.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is KineScribe free?
KineScribe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SymbolSupport or KineScribe?
KineScribe is rated higher. SymbolSupport averages 4.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while KineScribe averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do SymbolSupport or KineScribe have ads?
Neither SymbolSupport nor KineScribe shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SymbolSupport or KineScribe?
SymbolSupport ships an update every 5 weeks, and KineScribe every 11 months. Most recently, SymbolSupport was updated on October 1, 2026 and KineScribe on October 16, 2026.

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