Aloud AAC vs SpeakSteps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Aloud AAC
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Aloud AAC is a free communication app for adults who have difficulty speaking. Tap word tiles, type a message, or use saved phrases to speak out loud on your iPhone or iPad. Designed for everyday conversations after speech loss, including communication needs associated with aphasia after stroke, ALS or motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and head or neck surgery. Choose the approach that works for you, with support from a speech-language professional when needed. YOUR WORDS. YOUR CHOICE. Tap words and choose Make a sentence to see sentence options. Read the options and tap the one you mean before it is spoken. Prefer your exact words? Say my words speaks the words you selected without rewriting them. A Stop button is available while the app speaks. MORE THAN ONE WAY TO TALK - Tap picture and word tiles, or type what you want to say. - Save useful phrases and pin the ones you want close at hand. - Personalize your board, add people, and find sentences about them. - Use Show my words for a large message someone else can read. - Use My card to explain how you prefer to communicate. - Add words and sentences from a plain-text list. - Export a backup or print a paper communication board. WORKS OFFLINE Everyday communication works without an internet connection. On a supported device with Apple Intelligence available, sentence suggestions are generated on the device. When that model is unavailable, built-in sentence templates remain available. Apple Intelligence is not required to use the app. OPTIONAL ONLINE SENTENCES The online option offers Claude Haiku 5.5 suggestions on every supported device during the current free offering, including devices without Apple Intelligence. It is off by default and needs an internet connection. In Menu > Talk rules, review the disclosure and choose Use online sentences to enable it. You always review and select the sentence before speech. PRIVATE AND FREE No account, ads, subscription, or in-app purchases. No advertising or analytics SDKs. Saved words and phrases stay on your device. If you enable online sentences, only your selected words and sentence style, candidate count and consent version go through our server to Anthropic. Saved profiles, photos and history are not uploaded by that feature. Selected words may include personal or health information; review the in-app disclosure and privacy policy. You can turn online sentences off and keep using the offline tools. Exports and sharing use Apple's system tools only when you choose. MADE FOR ADULT COMMUNICATION Adjust picture size, word colors, text size, voice, and speaking speed. Use installed English system voices, or an Apple Personal Voice where available and permitted. The app includes support for iOS accessibility features; suitability depends on your device, settings, and access needs. Requires iOS or iPadOS 26.0 or later. Communication content is in English. Aloud AAC is a communication aid, not a speech therapy program. It does not diagnose or treat a condition. Support: https://aloud-aac.vercel.app/support.html Privacy: https://aloud-aac.vercel.app/privacy.html
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 update cadence: SpeakSteps at every 3 days against Aloud AAC's every 3 weeks. SpeakSteps also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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.
Aloud AAC ships an update every 3 weeks, SpeakSteps every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Aloud AAC | SpeakSteps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 78 MB | 143 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Anhad Singh | Michael Coldiron |
In-app purchases
Aloud AAC
No in-app purchases
SpeakSteps
No in-app purchases








