Comparison

SkillSteps vs Calmika

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

Head to head
About

SkillSteps

Features
Read full description

Every child deserves tools that speak their language. SkillSteps brings together everything your child needs β€” social stories, communication support, mood tracking, and calming sensory tools β€” in one beautifully simple app. No more juggling five different apps. No more losing progress between tools. Just one place where your child can learn, express, and feel safe. SOCIAL STORIES β€” BUILT IN MINUTES Create personalised social stories for any situation β€” visiting the dentist, starting a new school, handling a meltdown. Use your own photos or our icon library. Based on Carol Gray's evidence-based Social Storiesβ„’ framework, trusted by thousands of therapists and parents worldwide. COMMUNICATION BUILDER Build visual communication boards tailored to your child's vocabulary and needs. Tap pictures to speak, construct sentences, and express needs confidently. Designed for children at every communication level β€” from first words to full sentences. MOOD TRACKER β€” UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY FEEL Help your child name and track their emotions each day with simple visual check-ins. Parents get a private dashboard showing patterns over time β€” invaluable for therapy appointments and spotting triggers before they become crises. SENSORY & STIM TOOLS β€” CALM IN THEIR POCKET When the world gets too loud, SkillSteps is ready. Pop bubbles, draw freely, or focus on your breathing. These sensory tools give children a safe, acceptable way to self-regulate β€” anywhere, any time. BUILT FOR CHILDREN. DESIGNED FOR PARENTS. Children enjoy the simple, colourful experience. Parents and caregivers get full control behind the scenes β€” create content, review mood history, share stories with therapists, and track progress over time. ALSO INCLUDES β€’ Visual daily schedule builder β€’ Emotion recognition activitiesβ€’ Custom reward system β€’ Calming breathing exercises β€’ Offline mode β€” works without internet β€’ No ads. Ever. Your child's world makes more sense with SkillSteps. Free to try β€” because every family deserves access.

About

Calmika

Features
Read full description

Calmika helps families support autistic and neurodivergent children with calm, visual everyday tools. The app combines AAC communication boards, visual routines, first-then support, calm-down activities, social stories, coloring, music, learning games, and parent guidance in one child-friendly environment. Free core tools include AAC communication and Calm Corner support. Calmika Pro adds expanded family support features such as additional profiles, reports, backup/export, parent-guided content, and more routine and story tools. Calmika is built for predictable, low-pressure use: soft visuals, simple navigation, parent-gated settings, and a design focused on everyday family routines rather than ads or overstimulating rewards. Calmika does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or therapy replacement. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://calmika.com/privacy

Screenshots

SkillSteps4 screens
Calmika4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SkillSteps at daily against Calmika's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. SkillSteps sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Calmika sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SkillSteps ships an update daily, Calmika every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
SkillSteps versus Calmika: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSkillStepsCalmika
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyDaily β€” betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size34 MB93 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAaron BallDavid Kovacs

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SkillSteps

One-time1
  • SkillSteps Full Access$4.99
3 purchases

Calmika

Subscriptions2
  • Calmika Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Calmika Pro Annual$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Calmika Pro Lifetime$69.99

Questions

Is SkillSteps free?
SkillSteps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Calmika free?
Calmika is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SkillSteps or Calmika have ads?
Neither SkillSteps nor Calmika shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SkillSteps or Calmika?
SkillSteps ships an update daily, and Calmika every 3 weeks. Most recently, SkillSteps was updated on September 24, 2026 and Calmika on September 3, 2026.

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