Comparison

ExpressMe Communicator vs PEC Board

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

Head to head
About

ExpressMe Communicator

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ExpressMe Communicator is a dedicated Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app designed to bridge the communication gap for individuals with speech impairments and intellectual disabilities. Built with empathy and accessibility at its core, our mission is to give everyone a voice β€” regardless of age or ability. Whether for a young child learning to express basic needs, an adult navigating daily interactions, or a senior recovering from stroke or aphasia, ExpressMe provides an intuitive, touch-based interface that translates thoughts into clear, spoken communication. FREE TO COMMUNICATE ExpressMe believes communication is a right, not a premium. The complete AAC experience β€” 200+ symbols across 10 categories, text-to-speech, swipe navigation, and animated transitions β€” is completely free. No trial, no feature walls. Advanced caregiver tools are available as a one-time $9.99 Pro upgrade. No subscription. DESIGNED FOR PEACE OF MIND We know caregivers need confidence that the app β€” and the device β€” will stay exactly as configured: β€’ Password-Protected Admin Mode: All vocabulary editing and settings are locked behind a secure admin password. Users interact only with the communication interface. β€’ Kiosk-Ready Design: Pair with iOS Guided Access to lock the device entirely into ExpressMe. Step-by-step setup instructions included. β€’ Keep Screen Awake: Prevents the device from dimming or sleeping during communication sessions. β€’ Factory Reset Protection: Only an authenticated administrator can reset the app, protecting vocabulary from accidental deletion. BUILT FOR COMMUNICATION β€’ 200+ Ready-to-Use Symbols: Start communicating immediately with rich built-in vocabulary organized into 10 intuitive categories. β€’ Adjustable Card Sizes: Four options β€” Small, Normal, Large, and Extra Large β€” for users with different visual acuity and motor skills. β€’ Swipe Between Categories: Glide through categories with smooth transitions. Choose instant switching, a 2D slide, or a 3D cube effect. β€’ Instant Text-to-Speech: Tap symbols to build sentences, then press Speak. Speech fires instantly β€” zero delay β€” with a visual pulse synchronized to the audio. β€’ Customizable Cards (Pro): Create and organize custom symbols using photos from the camera or library. β€’ Adaptive Grid Layouts: Grid sizing adjusts automatically to your selected card size, filling the screen without gaps. β€’ Hide & Manage Symbols (Pro): Hide irrelevant symbols to reduce clutter β€” invisible in communication mode, easily restored in admin mode. PRIVATE & OFFLINE Works entirely offline β€” no internet required. All data stays on the device. No accounts, no cloud, no tracking. ACCESSIBLE BY DESIGN Full VoiceOver support. Extra Large card sizes for users with low vision or limited motor control. UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY Optimized for iPad and iPhone, ExpressMe ensures communication is always within reach β€” at home, in the classroom, at therapy, or on the go. Communication is a fundamental human right. Let ExpressMe Communicator help you and your loved ones connect, understand, and be understood.

About

PEC Board

Features
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PEC Board – Picture Exchange Communication Made Easy Designed by the neurodivergent community, for the neurodivergent community. PEC Board is a modern, intuitive Picture Exchange Communication (PEC) application designed to support individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Whether for children learning to communicate, adults with speech difficulties, or anyone seeking an alternative communication method, PEC Board makes expressive communication accessible, engaging, and effective. Core Features: Build sentences by tapping colorful picture cards organized into categories like people, actions, feelings, food, places, and more. Each card displays a clear image paired with a word, making communication visual and easy to understand. Hear your message come to life with built-in text-to-speechβ€”tap the speak button to hear your sentence read aloud, supporting learning and natural conversation flow. Add personalized words and upload custom images to create a truly unique communication board that reflects the user's interests, needs, and personality. Organize words across intuitive categories (people, actions, feelings, food, drinks, places, objects, colors, numbers, body parts, time, questions, and more) for quick access during conversations. Mark favorite words for instant one-tap access to frequently used phrases, speeding up communication in daily conversations. Customization & Personalization: Choose from multiple color schemes (Colorful, Pastel Blue, Green, Yellow, Purple, Soft Gray) to match preferences and reduce visual fatigue. Customize the app background with gradient themes, making the interface feel personal and inviting. Set a custom name and secure your settings with an optional PIN protection. Cross-Device Synchronization: Your communication board syncs seamlessly across devices, ensuring consistency whether you're at home, school, or on the go. Favorite words and preferences are saved locally for quick access, with full board data stored securely in the cloud. Designed for Everyone: Intuitive touch interface optimized for users of all ages and abilities. High-contrast, accessible design that works beautifully on tablets and phones. Parental and caregiver controls for managing and monitoring communication progress. PEC Board empowers users to express themselves clearly, confidently, and independently. Start building better conversations today.

Screenshots

PEC Board4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PEC Board at none against ExpressMe Communicator's 1. PEC Board also leads on device support. On price and iOS requirement 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. ExpressMe Communicator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PEC Board asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
ExpressMe Communicator versus PEC Board: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExpressMe CommunicatorPEC Board
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyβ€”Every 6 weeks
Adsβ€”No
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
Devicesβ€”iPhone, iPad, iPod β€” better
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details β€” not scored
Size42 MB196 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKazuhito TakahashiAlexandros Preston

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ExpressMe Communicator

One-time1
  • ExpressMe Pro"$9.99
None

PEC Board

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ExpressMe Communicator free?
ExpressMe Communicator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PEC Board free?
PEC Board is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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