Comparison

Telmi vs IconSpeak AAC

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

Head to head
About

Telmi

Features
Read full description

Telmi is a visual communication app designed to help children and adults with speech difficulties express their needs, emotions, and thoughts using icons and voice output. One of Telmi's key features is deep personalization, allowing the app to be adapted to each individual user. The app is especially helpful for: - children with autism - non-verbal or minimally verbal users - people with speech delays - elderly users or people with temporary speech limitations How Telmi Works Users communicate by selecting visual icons. With Telmi, users can: - tap an icon to hear a spoken word or phrase - build simple sentences by arranging icons in sequence - press Play to hear the entire sentence spoken aloud - create fully personalized icons, including: - uploading or taking photos - recording their own voice or a parent's voice - using familiar objects, people, and actions from real life Example: "I want" + "to eat" -> Play -> "I want to eat" Key Features - Icon-based AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) - Sentence builder board - Voice playback for icons and full sentences - Create and edit personalized icons - Use custom images and photos - Record custom voice for icons - Drag and drop icon reordering - Multi-language support - Child-friendly and intuitive interface - Designed for parents, caregivers, and specialists Who Telmi Is For - families with children on the autism spectrum - speech therapists and special education professionals - schools and therapy centers - anyone who needs a personalized alternative way to communicate Subscription Some advanced features are available via subscription, including: - unlimited personalized icons - advanced sentence building features - extended icon libraries A free version is available to explore the app. Our Mission Telmi was created to make communication simpler, calmer, and more accessible, helping users communicate in their own voice, both literally and figuratively. Terms of Use:  https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

IconSpeak AAC

This app helps individuals with speaking difficulties communicate by tapping icons to build sentences that are spoken aloud. It offers customization options for icons and layouts, and can print boards for offline use. The core app is free, with an optional Pro subscription for advanced features.

Highlights
  • Tap icons to build sentences
  • Clear, natural voice output
  • Customizable icons and labels
  • Printable choice boards and icons
  • Offline functionality
  • Multiple user profiles (Pro)
  • Type to Talk feature
Features
Read full description

Some people think in full sentences and just can't say them out loud. IconSpeak gives them a way to be heard. IconSpeak is an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) app for children and adults with speaking difficulties — autism, apraxia, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, stroke, ALS, and temporary loss of speech. Tap icons to build a sentence, then tap the sentence strip to speak it aloud in a clear, natural voice. It was built by a dad for his son. Everything in it exists because a real family needed it. HOW IT WORKS - Tap icons to build a sentence, then tap the strip to speak it aloud - Or tap a single icon to hear it on its own — no sentence required. Good for early learners and quick answers. - Edit any icon: its label, its image, or what it says out loud - Browse by category, or search when you know what you want - Type to Talk for anyone who spells — type a phrase, hear it spoken - Choice boards for this-or-that questions and structured practice PRINT WHAT'S ON THE SCREEN The digital board and the paper board shouldn't be two different systems. - Print individual icons, or entire choice boards - Set your own print layout and grid — icons per page and how large - Size them for a binder, a classroom wall board, or a lanyard - Send home paper sets that match the app exactly, so a person sees the same symbol at school, at home, and on paper - Print custom photo icons, not just library symbols - A no-tech backup for a dead battery or a device left in the car BUILT FOR REAL DAYS - Works fully offline — no signal needed at school or an appointment - Cloud sync and backup across your iPhone and iPad - Multiple voices and multiple languages - Adjustable grid, colors, and layout so the board fits the person - No ads, ever. No account required to start. FREE FOREVER The core app is free — not a trial, not a countdown. Icon library and categories, single-tap speech, sentence strip, Type to Talk, choice boards, printing with custom layouts, one profile, offline, and sync. ICONSPEAK PRO For families, classrooms, and clinicians who need the board to match a specific person. - Custom icons from your own photos — real faces, real foods, real places - Custom categories, organized your way - Multiple user profiles on one device - Sentence history, so a favorite phrase is one tap away Pro is $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. FOR SLPs AND EDUCATORS Custom icons and multiple profiles make it practical to run a caseload from one iPad, and printable boards let you send home a paper set that mirrors the digital one — consistent symbols across school, home, and clinic. We'd love to hear from you: wearebubbystudio@gmail.com A NOTE FROM US IconSpeak is made by Bubby Studio, a tiny independent studio named after the nickname of our founder's son, Ezekiel. We built the app we wanted to exist for him. If something is missing, tell us — we read every email. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS IconSpeak Pro is a monthly ($4.99) or annual ($49.99) auto-renewing subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. It renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged within 24 hours prior to the end of that period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Privacy Policy: https://www.bubbystudio.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Telmi4 screens
IconSpeak AAC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Telmi at 13.0 against IconSpeak AAC's 16.4. On price, 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

Both are free to download. Telmi sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and IconSpeak AAC sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Telmi ships an update fortnightly, IconSpeak AAC every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Telmi versus IconSpeak AAC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTelmiIconSpeak AAC
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOlga NovikovaScott Davis

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Telmi

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly (Best value)3 Days trial$79.991 Year
2 purchases

IconSpeak AAC

Subscriptions2
  • IconSpeak Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • IconSpeak Pro Annual$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Telmi free?
Telmi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is IconSpeak AAC free?
IconSpeak AAC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Telmi or IconSpeak AAC have ads?
Neither Telmi nor IconSpeak AAC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Telmi or IconSpeak AAC?
Telmi ships an update fortnightly, and IconSpeak AAC every 3 weeks. Most recently, Telmi was updated on November 9, 2026 and IconSpeak AAC on November 6, 2026.

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