Comparison

Syntax Workout vs Following Directions Monsters

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

Head to head
About

Syntax Workout

This app helps children practice English grammar through a fun bowling game. It targets various grammatical constructs with a built-in reward system and over 1500 stimuli. Designed by a speech pathologist, it's ideal for preschool and elementary students.

Highlights
  • Grammatical construct practice
  • Bowling game theme
  • Built-in reward system
  • 1500+ stimuli
  • Progress tracking
  • Multiple student profiles
  • Customizable settings
Features
Read full description

****This app provides a fun way to target many different grammatical constructs. The bowling theme is lots of fun! Every child who has tried the app has requested using it again during the next therapy session. They love the reinforcement activity! The option to target receptive/expressive syntax in one app is a huge plus as well! (Carries Speech Corner)**** ****Syntax Workout is awesome! It combines working on work structure with bowling and it is a ton of fun! My students rate this app two thumbs up. They worked hard on mastering the learning that was presented to them but LOVED the opportunity to bowl. They stayed so motivated. (Appabled)**** Syntax Workout app was created by a certified speech and language pathologist for preschool and elementary school-age children who struggle with English grammar. Syntax Workout app is another addition to the series of “Workouts” (Auditory Workout and Sentence Workout) developed by Virtual Speech Center. Children will have fun practicing numerous syntax activities thanks to the built-in reward system and game. Children are welcomed by a bowling coach, who encourages them to work hard. Children earn a bowling ball for each correct response, and when they accumulate enough balls, they are rewarded with a game. Syntax Workout includes 1500 stimuli in the following activities: -3rd-person singular -Do vs. Does -Has vs. Had -Is vs. Are -Was vs. Were -Subjective pronouns: I, you, he, she, etc. (organized into different sets) -Objective pronouns: me, you, him, her, etc. (organized into different sets) -Possessive pronouns: my, your, his, her, etc. (organized into different sets) -Absolute possessive pronouns: mine, your, his, etc. (organized into different sets) -Demonstrative pronouns: this, that, those, these (organized into different sets) Syntax Workout is easy to navigate, and users can perform the following tasks: -Enter multiple students -Change settings -Turn the audio on or off -Select auto-scoring -Select alternate counts for multiple students -Enable or disable the reward -Enable or disable randomization -Track correct and incorrect responses -E-mail results at the end of the game

About

Following Directions Monsters

This app offers a game-show adventure designed to improve listening skills. It features 27 progressive levels that systematically build auditory memory, linguistic processing, and multi-step sequencing abilities. The app also includes clinical data tracking and multiplayer group therapy options.

Highlights
  • 27 progressive levels
  • Auditory memory training
  • Linguistic processing
  • Multi-step sequencing
  • Clinical data tracking
  • Multiplayer group therapy
  • Customizable game settings
Features
Read full description

UNLEASH THE POWER OF LISTENING! Turn complex auditory processing therapy into a whimsical, game-show adventure. Designed by Barbara Fernandes, M.S., CCC-SLP, Following Directions Monsters is a research-based powerhouse that helps students master auditory memory, linguistic processing, and multi-step sequencing through 27 progressive levels of pure fun. THE CURRICULUM: 27 Levels of Systematic Growth We don’t just provide games; we provide a clinical hierarchy. Our app strengthens the brain’s ability to process and retain information step-by-step: Stages 1-5 (Foundations): High-contrast, one-step commands focusing on essential vocabulary. Stages 6-15 (Adjectives & Logic): Introduction of size, color, and quantitative concepts (e.g., "Touch the large red monster"). Stages 16-27 (Master Processing): The ultimate challenge. Complex temporal logic ("Before you touch the hat...") and 3-step sequential tasks that test auditory memory to the limit. CLINICAL DATA TRACKING (IEP READY) Eliminate manual tallying. The "Director’s Booth" captures every response automatically. Session Snapshots: Track accuracy percentages and specific settings used for every date. Mastery Graphs: Visualize longitudinal growth with color-coded charts. Instant Sharing: Print or email professional PDF reports directly from your iPad to parents and school teams. MULTIPLAYER GROUP THERAPY Therapy is better together! Support up to five players simultaneously. Independent Leveling: Each student in the group stays on their own specific level (e.g., Student A works on Level 1 while Student B works on Level 22). Automatic Rotation: The app manages turns seamlessly, promoting peer modeling and sustained attention. Personalized Avatars: Students can choose a monster identity or upload their own photo for instant recognition. GRANULAR CONTROL (THE DIRECTOR'S BOOTH) Modify the game in seconds to create the "Just Right" challenge for every learner: Visual Distraction Control: Adjust the number of images on screen (2 to 5) to support selective attention. Sensory Calibration: Toggle background music and "Wrong Audio" feedback for students with auditory sensitivities. Multi-Language Support: Fully localized in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. PERFECT FOR: Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Autism & ADHD (Low cognitive load, predictable structure) English Language Learners (Explicit grammar and vocabulary practice) RTI & Common Core Standards Stop tallying and start treating. Join thousands of SLPs and parents who have turned listening therapy into a monster-sized success! Download Following Directions Monsters Today.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Syntax Workout at 100% against Following Directions Monsters's 50%. Syntax Workout also leads on rating (4.0 vs 3.3) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 16 months). On ratings volume, 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

Syntax Workout costs $16.99 and Following Directions Monsters $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Syntax Workout holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Syntax Workout's written reviews are positive against 50% of Following Directions Monsters's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Syntax Workout ships an update every 3 months, Following Directions Monsters every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Syntax Workout versus Following Directions Monsters: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSyntax WorkoutFollowing Directions Monsters
Price$16.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.0 (5 ratings) — better3.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings5 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 16 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS7.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVirtual Speech Center Inc.Smarty Ears

Customer experience

Syntax Workout

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Following Directions Monsters

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Syntax Workout

No in-app purchases

None

Following Directions Monsters

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Syntax Workout free?
Syntax Workout costs $16.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Following Directions Monsters free?
Following Directions Monsters costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Syntax Workout or Following Directions Monsters?
Syntax Workout is rated higher. Syntax Workout averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Following Directions Monsters averages 3.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Syntax Workout or Following Directions Monsters have ads?
Neither Syntax Workout nor Following Directions Monsters shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Syntax Workout or Following Directions Monsters?
Syntax Workout ships an update every 3 months, and Following Directions Monsters every 16 months. Most recently, Syntax Workout was updated on October 20, 2026 and Following Directions Monsters on October 24, 2026.

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