ExpressMe Communicator vs Tom Taps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
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 โ 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 โ 200+ symbols across 10 categories, text-to-speech, swipe navigation, and animated transitions โ 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 โ and the device โ will stay exactly as configured: โข Password-Protected Admin Mode: All vocabulary editing and settings are locked behind a secure admin password. Users interact only with the communication interface. โข Kiosk-Ready Design: Pair with iOS Guided Access to lock the device entirely into ExpressMe. Step-by-step setup instructions included. โข Keep Screen Awake: Prevents the device from dimming or sleeping during communication sessions. โข Factory Reset Protection: Only an authenticated administrator can reset the app, protecting vocabulary from accidental deletion. BUILT FOR COMMUNICATION โข 200+ Ready-to-Use Symbols: Start communicating immediately with rich built-in vocabulary organized into 10 intuitive categories. โข Adjustable Card Sizes: Four options โ Small, Normal, Large, and Extra Large โ for users with different visual acuity and motor skills. โข Swipe Between Categories: Glide through categories with smooth transitions. Choose instant switching, a 2D slide, or a 3D cube effect. โข Instant Text-to-Speech: Tap symbols to build sentences, then press Speak. Speech fires instantly โ zero delay โ with a visual pulse synchronized to the audio. โข Customizable Cards (Pro): Create and organize custom symbols using photos from the camera or library. โข Adaptive Grid Layouts: Grid sizing adjusts automatically to your selected card size, filling the screen without gaps. โข Hide & Manage Symbols (Pro): Hide irrelevant symbols to reduce clutter โ invisible in communication mode, easily restored in admin mode. PRIVATE & OFFLINE Works entirely offline โ 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 โ 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.
Tom Taps
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Tom Taps is a picture-based AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app that helps children and non-speaking individuals express themselves โ built with speech-language pathologists and by a father for his autistic son. Unlike AAC apps that cost $150โ250 or lock you into a subscription, Tom Taps is free to start and Tom Taps Pro is a one-time $29.99. No subscriptions, ever. WHY FAMILIES AND SLPs CHOOSE TOM TAPS: โข Fixed grid positions โ words stay in the same place, so motor patterns build naturally (never rearranged by word prediction). โข Private on-device AI Coach โ weekly insights from your child's communication, with zero data leaving the device (Pro). โข Free to start โ full core vocabulary, text-to-speech, custom cards, and unlimited boards at no cost. โข Open, portable vocabulary โ built on the Fitzgerald Key colour system and the open OBF/OBZ format, so your boards are never locked to one vendor. โข Zero setup โ works on day one, no SLP configuration required. FEATURES: Core Word Grid โ the most common words, always visible, colour-coded by the Fitzgerald Key. Fringe Vocabulary โ hundreds of picture cards across People, Actions, Feelings, Food, Places, and more. Multiple Boards โ separate boards for home, school, and therapy. Custom Cards โ add your own pictures and words. Modelling Mode โ model language with Aided Language Stimulation (ALgS) without composing a sentence. Sentence Composer โ tap cards to build sentences and play them back with clear text-to-speech. Vocabulary Packs โ optional themed packs (Medical, School, Feelings, Food, Play, Community). Lovingly built for Tom โ a non-speaking child โ and shared with every family walking the same path.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is device support: Tom Taps at 2 against ExpressMe Communicator's โ. ExpressMe Communicator's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. ExpressMe Communicator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Tom Taps sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | ExpressMe Communicator | Tom Taps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | โ | Daily |
| Ads | โ | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | โ | iPhone, iPad โ better |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 โ better | 17.0 |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kazuhito Takahashi | Archmob Pte Ltd |
In-app purchases
ExpressMe Communicator
- ExpressMe Pro"$9.99
Tom Taps
- Play & Recreation$1.99
- Community & Social$2.99
- Food & Dining$2.99
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- Feelings & Emotions$2.99
- Medical & Health$3.99
- School & Learning$3.99
- Tom Taps Pro$29.99
Questions
Is ExpressMe Communicator free?
Is Tom Taps free?
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