Sensory Room vs simPODD
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sensory Room
Explore a vibrant, multi-sensory environment by touching the screen to trigger animations and sounds. This app encourages language development and discussion, with accessibility features like switch access for users with motor difficulties and clear graphics for those with visual impairments.
- Multi-sensory interactive environment
- Encourages language development
- Switch access for motor difficulties
- Clear graphics for visual impairment
- Simple touch interaction
- Animated rewards
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A fun cause and effect activity - look at the pictures and talk about the story in your own words: What can you see in the multi-sensory room? Do you like the bubble tube or disco lights best? Touch the screen to see what happens next. Switch access for one or two switches is included for users with motor difficulties who need switch input (Switches can be connected via a Bluetooth switch interface). Clutter free, bright, clear graphics make it easier for students with visual impairment to see the screen. Key features •Bright clear graphics with bold outlines •Lots of opportunity for discussion and language development •Simple touch access •Switch access options included (using available Bluetooth switch interfaces) •Fun bright animated reward
simPODD
This app simplifies augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for individuals who cannot speak. It integrates digital PODD page sets with a printing interface, offering streamlined editing and access to various vocabulary options. Designed in collaboration with the PODD system's creator, it aims to make communication more accessible and efficient.
- Digital PODD page sets
- Integrated printing interface
- Streamlined editing
- SymbolStix integration
- Multiple text-to-speech voices
- Regionally specific vocabulary
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simPODD is an app for the popular PODD system that makes communication more simple for those who can’t speak. Built in collaboration with Gayle Porter, it’s the only PODD app for iPad to bring digital page sets and a printing interface into one app. From the makers of Proloquo2Go, this augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app is sure to become a favorite among PODD users, because it's the only PODD app built specifically for their needs. “simPODD’s integration of PODD communication books and electronic page sets in a single product supports people to "say what I want to say, to whoever, whenever and however I choose to say it.” - Gayle Porter, creator of the PODD system Highlights • Access to all PODD digital page sets: 15 Preschool, 15+ Preschool, 15 School, 15+ School, 60 Complex Syntax, 60 Expanded Key Word • Fully integrated printing interface in the app to print direct access individual and group PODD books (with yearly subscription) • Streamlined and simplified editing process • Uses SymbolStix • Regionally specific vocabulary and American, British and Australian voices • 38 natural-sounding text-to-speech voices including genuine children’s voices • Free 1-month trial How it works simPODD makes using PODD much simpler. First, it brings the digital page sets and printing experience into one app. No need to manage different payments and subscriptions, or learn how to use multiple programs. It’s all rolled into one. It’s easy to use, no matter who you are: parent, teacher, speech therapist or PODD user. Customizing and editing digital page sets is also very straightforward with simPODD. Quickly edit the vocabulary, create new buttons and link folders without following a lot of complicated steps. Since we worked closely with PODD users while building the app, we took all of the hassle and frustration out of these processes. The easiest PODD book printing experience The printing function for PODD books is right inside the app. Just select a book and customize. Print the book all at once, instead of page by page. It only takes a few minutes! You can create as many books as you need, and print them for all of the people in a PODD communicator’s life. What is PODD? PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display) is a popular AAC system created and owned by Gayle Porter. PODD organizes vocabulary around communication function and predicted likely usage to make it more efficient to get something across. PODD's range of books and page sets support language development from first words to complex syntax. The books and page sets for early communicators also include strategies like pragmatic branch starters. This supports more intelligible and varied communication. Comprehensive support We’re there for you every step of the way. Help articles on the website are there to guide you through set up. New to AAC? Our website has background resources in the Learn AAC section. You can also connect directly with our community on our Facebook groups. Questions? Our support team is available 7 days a week. Choose the subscription that’s right for you: Yearly Digital + Print or Monthly Digital. Yearly Digital + Print • Print direct access PODD books right from the app • Full access to all of the digital page sets • Regular updates • Save money - 2 months free compared to the monthly subscription Monthly Digital • Full access to all of the digital page sets • Regular updates • Cancel month to month, so you only pay for what you use • An inexpensive way to try PODD Try the app out with our 1-month free trial! How payment works • Payments will be charged to your Apple ID (after your free trial ends) • Subscriptions renew automatically. Payment is charged 24 hours before the current subscription period ends • Don’t want to renew? Cancel more than 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period • Want to cancel or change your subscription? Manage it in your account settings on the App Store
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: simPODD at 78% against Sensory Room's 0%. simPODD also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.4) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 40 months). Sensory Room's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads 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. simPODD sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month. Sensory Room asks for nothing beyond the download.
simPODD holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 21 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Sensory Room's written reviews are positive against 78% of simPODD's.
Sensory Room ships an update every 40 months, simPODD every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sensory Room | simPODD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.4 (8 ratings) | 4.5 (21 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 77.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 21 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 40 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 539 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Inclusive Technology Ltd | AssistiveWare |
Customer experience
Sensory Room
simPODD
In-app purchases
Sensory Room
No in-app purchases
simPODD
- Monthly Digital1 Month trial$13.991 Month
- Yearly Digital + Print$139.991 Year
- Yearly Digital + Print*1 Month trial$139.991 Year
- One Year Digital$139.99









