Comparison

CPAT vs Colourful Semantics Classic

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

Head to head
About

CPAT

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CPAT is provided as part of the Teacher Training and Attention in Autism (TTAA) Erasmus+ funded project (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/psychology/ttaa/index.aspx) and is freely available. The app is designed for use by teachers and practitioners to help develop and promote basic attention skills in autistic children (as well as anyone who can benefit from improving attention skills). Attention is a fundamental cognitive capacity critical for human behaviour and especially related to academic performance and engagement in classroom settings. Therefore, improving attention skills can lead to substantial impact. The app is designed for teachers and practitioners (‘Users’) who are interested in helping students to develop their basic attention skills. The app includes a series of game-like activities that are designed to train different attention skills. The activities progress in difficulty as a function of the student’s individual performance. The app also includes customization tools to help the student engage with the activities. It is important to note that the app is not a Magic solution, and that training attention skills requires effort and commitment. It is strongly recommended that before users start using the CPAT app they take the freely available online course: Attention in autism, available here: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/attention-and-autism). You can also see here for version of this course in different languages: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/psychology/ttaa/outputs.aspx. For previous uses of CPAT in research you can read in the following research publications: • Shalev, L., Tsal Y., & Mevorach C. (2007) Computerized progressive attentional training (CPAT) program: Effective direct intervention for children with ADHD. Child Neuropsychology, 13, 382-388. • Spaniol, M.M., Shalev, L., Kosyvaky, L. & Mevorach, C. (2018). Attention Training in Autism as a Potential Approach to Improving Academic Performance: A School-Based Pilot Study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 48(2), 592–610. • Spaniol, M. M., Mevorach, C., Shalev, L., Teixeira, M.C., Lowenthal, R., de Paula, C.S. (2021). Attention training in children with autism spectrum disorder improves academic performance: A double-blind pilot application of the computerized progressive attentional training program. Autism Research;1–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2566

About

Colourful Semantics Classic

Features
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Unlock the Power of Sentence Building with Colourful Semantics Classic! Get ready to boost sentence-building skills through fun, interactive activities! Using vibrant images and symbols, you can create a variety of scenarios that make learning engaging and enjoyable. Designed by a certified Speech-Language Therapist, these dynamic resources are perfect for speech and language therapy, classroom use, or even at home. Help learners improve sentence structure with ease! What is Colourful Semantics? It’s a proven approach to help learners master sentence construction and develop stronger writing skills in a way that's both fun and effective. So Simple, So Fun! Dive right in—select an activity, and drag the right answers into place. Each activity is designed to be intuitive and entertaining, making learning feel like play. Tailored Just for You! Customise your experience by adjusting the TTS voice, choosing between American or British English, and modifying the activity length. You can even control which semantic elements appear, allowing you to tweak the difficulty level to fit your needs. Start building better sentences today with Colourful Semantics Classic—where learning meets fun!

Screenshots

CPAT4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: CPAT at Free against Colourful Semantics Classic's $8.99. CPAT also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

CPAT is free to download; Colourful Semantics Classic costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CPAT ships an update every 6 weeks, Colourful Semantics Classic every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
CPAT versus Colourful Semantics Classic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCPATColourful Semantics Classic
PriceFree — better$8.99
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size452 MB260 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUniversity of BirminghamTherapy Box Limited

In-app purchases

None

CPAT

No in-app purchases

None

Colourful Semantics Classic

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CPAT free?
CPAT is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Colourful Semantics Classic free?
Colourful Semantics Classic costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do CPAT or Colourful Semantics Classic have ads?
Neither CPAT nor Colourful Semantics Classic shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CPAT or Colourful Semantics Classic?
CPAT ships an update every 6 weeks, and Colourful Semantics Classic every 2 months. Most recently, CPAT was updated on October 18, 2026 and Colourful Semantics Classic on October 14, 2026.

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