SpeakUp AAC vs SpeakSteps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SpeakUp AAC
This free communication app assists non-verbal individuals in expressing themselves. Users can type phrases to be spoken aloud instantly or select from categorized common phrases. It offers practice modes and allows saving favorite phrases for quick access.
- Type and speak phrases instantly
- Browse pre-made common phrases
- Organized phrases by category
- Save favorite phrases
- Built-in practice modes
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SpeakUp is a free AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app designed to help non-verbal individuals express themselves with ease. Type any phrase and speak it instantly, or browse pre-made common phrases organized by category. Save your most used phrases to favorites for quick access, and build confidence in communication with two built-in practice modes. SpeakUp is completely free with no ads and no subscriptions because everyone deserves a voice.
SpeakSteps
This app offers a customizable Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solution for children with language delays. It empowers them to express needs, feelings, and thoughts through an engaging, visual interface, supporting participation in daily activities at home, school, or during therapy.
- Easy-to-use AAC sentence building
- Customizable vocabulary
- Quick access to frequent words/phrases
- Personalized social stories
- Visual timer for transitions
- Engaging visual design
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SpeakSteps — Upgrade Your AAC Upgrade your AAC without starting over. SpeakSteps is an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app designed to help children communicate their wants, needs, thoughts, and feelings. Built for families, caregivers, and therapy professionals, SpeakSteps combines customizable digital communication boards with tools that support communication, independence, and everyday participation. Upgrade Existing AAC Layouts with AI Already have communication boards or layouts? SpeakSteps uses an AI-powered scanner to help transfer existing layouts into personalized digital AAC boards, reducing the time and effort needed to build vocabulary from scratch. Features AI-Powered AAC Scanner Scan existing AAC communication boards and layouts to help create personalized digital boards in SpeakSteps. Sentence-Building Ribbon Combine selected words to build messages and express thoughts more easily. Voice Capture Capture words that may be difficult to understand, helping caregivers and communication partners better understand a child's intended message. Interactive Practice Game Give children an engaging way to practice using their AAC device and become more familiar with communicating through it. Progress Tracker Track the number of words and sentences a child uses with SpeakSteps over time, helping families and therapy professionals monitor communication activity and celebrate progress. Customizable Vocabulary Add, edit, and organize words and communication options around each child's needs, interests, and daily routines. Quick Words Keep frequently used words and phrases easy to access. Social Stories Create personalized stories to help children prepare for everyday experiences, understand routines, and navigate new situations. Visual Timer Provide a visual representation of time to support waiting, transitions, activities, and daily routines. Designed for Everyday Communication Whether at home, school, or in therapy, SpeakSteps offers flexible tools to support communication throughout a child's day. Personalize vocabulary and boards to fit individual needs and build a communication experience that grows with the child. SpeakSteps is designed to support AAC communication and does not replace individualized guidance from a qualified speech-language pathologist or other appropriate professional.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: SpeakSteps at 15.1 against SpeakUp AAC's 26. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for SpeakUp AAC against 5.0 for SpeakSteps. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
SpeakUp AAC ships an update every 4 days, SpeakSteps every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SpeakUp AAC | SpeakSteps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 26 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 143 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | JENNIFER LARA GOLD | Michael Coldiron |
Customer experience
SpeakUp AAC
SpeakSteps
In-app purchases
SpeakUp AAC
No in-app purchases
SpeakSteps
No in-app purchases









