Visual Schedule Pro for ABA vs Calm Steps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Visual Schedule Pro for ABA
This app helps children with autism and developmental needs build independence and reduce anxiety through evidence-based visual schedules. It transforms daily routines into success stories with customizable activity sequences and progress tracking.
- Intuitive visual schedule builder
- 44+ pre-loaded activities
- Real-time progress tracking
- Evidence-based ABA principles
- Customizable for individual needs
- Multi-user profiles
- Cloud sync across devices
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Build independence and reduce anxiety with evidence-based visual schedules designed for children with autism and developmental needs. Transform Daily Routines Into Success Stories Visual Schedule helps children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) navigate their day with confidence. Backed by over 28 evidence-based practices and proven effective in reducing behavior incidents by 20-40%, our app brings professional ABA therapy tools directly to your home and classroom. Key Features Intuitive Visual Schedules Create custom activity sequences with clear visual cues 44+ pre-loaded activities across self-care, life skills, and learning Easy drag-and-drop schedule builder Real-time progress tracking with completion indicators Evidence-Based Design Built on proven ABA therapy principles Implements First/Then methodology with 95% effectiveness rates Supports independence building and task completion Reduces transition anxiety and challenging behaviors Perfect For Multiple Settings Home use by parents and caregivers Professional use by therapists and educators Seamless clinic-to-home continuity Customizable for individual needs and preferences Progress Tracking Visual completion indicators Activity usage analytics Easy reset and modification options Track independence growth over time Who Benefits Parents & Caregivers: Extend your child's therapy progress at home with professional-grade tools that require no special training. ABA Therapists & BCBAs: Implement evidence-based visual supports with consistent data tracking and easy customization. Educators: Support students with autism in classroom settings with structured, predictable routines. Children with ASD: Experience reduced anxiety, increased independence, and successful task completion through clear visual guidance. Why Visual Schedules Work Research shows visual schedules achieve NAP scores of 0.95 (95% effectiveness) and improve task completion by up to 30%. Our app implements these proven strategies through: Clear visual representations of tasks and expectations Predictable sequences that reduce anxiety Immediate feedback through completion tracking Customizable difficulty levels and preferences Premium Features Unlimited custom activities with photo integration Advanced progress analytics and reporting Multi-user profiles for families and clinics Cloud sync across devices Professional consultation resources Getting Started Choose from 44+ pre-loaded activities or create custom ones Build personalized schedules for your child's routine Guide your child through each step with visual cues Celebrate progress as tasks are completed Track improvements and adjust as needed Download now and start building independence through the power of visual learning. Developed in partnership with ABA professionals and backed by extensive autism research. Visual Schedule is committed to supporting the autism community with evidence-based tools that work. SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED FOR FULL ACCESS Premium features require subscription: Weekly ($4.99/week), Monthly ($49.99/month), or Lifetime ($299 one-time payment). Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Calm Steps
This app helps children aged 4-12, including neurodiverse kids, understand and manage their emotions. It offers tools for emotional regulation, behavioral support, and routine building, with personalized insights for caregivers.
- Emotion check-ins with personalized strategies
- Guided regulation activities
- Daily and weekly emotion tracking
- Behavior management strategies
- Pre-built routines with interactive runner
- Caregiver coaching and support
- Calming games for regulation
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In a world full of big feelings, Calm Steps empowers children ages 4–12 – including neurodiverse kids with ADHD, autism, sensory needs, and beyond – to name, understand, and navigate their emotions one simple, confident step at a time. Calm Steps is a comprehensive emotional regulation and behavioral support app designed specifically for neurodiverse children and their caregivers. We combine evidence-based tools, AI-powered insights, and personalized strategies to help families (whether a child has ADHD, is autistic, sensory-sensitive, or simply experiences intense emotions) turn everyday challenges into moments of growth, connection, and calm. With a privacy-first, kid-friendly design and no ads or unnecessary tracking, Calm Steps gives parents and children the understanding and support they need – exactly when they need it. Emotional Wellness • 7 Emotion Check-Ins with personalized strategies for each emotional state • Guided Regulation Activities tailored to help manage difficult feelings • Daily emotion tracking to identify patterns and triggers Weekly Summaries analyzing emotional patterns, routine success, and behavior trends • Monthly Summaries providing deep insights and personalized recommendations • Progress Dashboard connecting your actions to child outcomes Common Behaviors Guide • Comprehensive library of challenging behaviors with expert strategies • Learn what to do before, during, and after behavioral events • Track behavior patterns over time with intelligent logging Routines & Structure • Pre-built routines for common daily activities with step-by-step guidance • Interactive routine runner with progress tracking and celebrations • Difficulty ratings to track progress and identify challenges Caregiver Coach • Co-Regulation Skills Training to help dysregulated children return to calm • Behavior Interpretation Guide to understand needs, not defiance • Quick Action Playbooks for immediate support in high-stress situations • Sensory Strategy Coaching with personalized sensory profile builder • Communication & Language Support for low-pressure interactions • Executive Function Coaching with visual tools and strategies • Log your actions and see which strategies work best for your child The Sensory Profile is a comprehensive assessment tool that helps caregivers understand and document a child's unique sensory processing patterns. It creates a personalized toolkit by capturing preferences, triggers, and regulation strategies across five progressive steps. Game Steps • 6 calming games, including Bubble Pop, Shape Sorter, Star Catcher, Emotion Match, Tic Tac Toe, and Simon Says • Games designed specifically for regulation, learning, and fun **Our Mission** To empower neurodiverse children and their caregivers with intelligent, evidence-based tools and strategies for emotional regulation. We believe behavior is communication, and every child deserves to feel safe, understood, and supported as they take calm, confident steps toward well-being. **What Makes Calm Steps Different** Insights that learn from your family's unique patterns Comprehensive support for both children and caregivers Evidence-based strategies grounded in neurodiversity-affirming practices Real-time progress tracking and personalized recommendations Tools that grow with your family's needs Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Calm Steps at free with in-app purchases against Visual Schedule Pro for ABA's subscription. Calm Steps also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Visual Schedule Pro for ABA sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Calm Steps sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Visual Schedule Pro for ABA against 5.0 for Calm Steps. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.
Visual Schedule Pro for ABA ships an update fortnightly, Calm Steps every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Visual Schedule Pro for ABA | Calm Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 31 MB | 40 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Accretive Systems LLC | Tom Fortier |
Customer experience
Visual Schedule Pro for ABA
Calm Steps
In-app purchases
Visual Schedule Pro for ABA
- Weekly Unlimited Access$4.997 Days
- Yearly Unlimited Access$99.991 Year
- Lifetime Unlimited Access$299.99
Calm Steps
- Calm Steps$0.991 Month
Questions
Is Visual Schedule Pro for ABA free?
Is Calm Steps free?
Which has better reviews, Visual Schedule Pro for ABA or Calm Steps?
Do Visual Schedule Pro for ABA or Calm Steps have ads?
Which is updated more often, Visual Schedule Pro for ABA or Calm Steps?
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