Pip and Tim Stage 2 vs simPODD
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pip and Tim Stage 2
This app uses a phonics-based approach to help young children learn to read. It features illustrated stories with interactive audio, allowing children to hear words read aloud and tap on individual words for pronunciation. Designed by reading experts, it offers a fun and engaging way to build reading confidence.
- Sequenced phonics reading program
- Illustrated storybooks
- Professionally recorded audio
- Tap-to-hear word pronunciation
- Word highlighting as read
- Vocabulary and comprehension questions
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Little Learners Love Literacy® is a sequenced phonics reading program to give children confidence and success. Letters and sounds are introduced in stages. Each stage has 5 beautifully illustrated books with real stories about Tim and Pip and their adventures. The Little Learners Apps are enhanced with professionally recorded and produced audio. Each story can be read aloud, and most importantly, the words are highlighted as they are read. In addition, children can tap a word which is then highlighted and spoken. The audio can be turned off from the book home screen. They are Australia’s favourite learn-to-read books. Created by reading experts and based on best practice teaching, the lively stories and sequenced progression will ensure children learn to read. Little Learners Love Literacy® is perfect for home or in the classroom. Evidence-based research has shown that the explicit teaching of phonics is the most effective way of teaching children to read. Learning to read is too important not to use these Little Leaners Love Literacy books. Once children know 8 sounds, they can blend these together to start reading our first 5 books in Stage One. Each book has a fun story about Tim and Pip and their adventures. Children become engaged with the characters, their family, friends and pets. This app is true to the books and focuses on learning-to-read in a modern and enjoyable way with audio support: • child reads the sounds and Heart Words (high frequency words that cannot be sounded out at this stage) • or tap each sound to hear it pronounced • child reads the story using ‘sounding out’ as their first strategy • tap on a word to hear it being read Hints and Tips: Each book provides vocabulary and comprehension questions. Encourage children to run their fingers under each word as they read All words, except for Heart Words, in these books can be ‘sounded out’. To do this, children point to each letter or digraph, saying the sounds and then blending the sounds together to read the word. Little Learners Love Literacy Stage 2 • Pip • Tim and the van • At the dam • My hat • Sam in the pit The Stage 2 books include sounds introduced in Stage 1 - s m, s, f, a, p, t, c, i plus new sounds b, h, n, o, d, g, l v. There are NO tricks in Stage 2 books. Revises Heart words from Stage 1. These books are enhanced with audio – tap on a word to have it read aloud.
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
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: simPODD at Free against Pip and Tim Stage 2's $3.99. simPODD also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 19 months). Pip and Tim Stage 2's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (100% vs 78%). On ads 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
simPODD is free to download; Pip and Tim Stage 2 costs $3.99 up front. simPODD sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month. Pip and Tim Stage 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.
Pip and Tim Stage 2 ships an update every 19 months, simPODD every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pip and Tim Stage 2 | simPODD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | — | 4.5 (21 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 77.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 21 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 19 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 539 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Learning Logic | AssistiveWare |
Customer experience
Pip and Tim Stage 2
simPODD
In-app purchases
Pip and Tim Stage 2
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
Questions
Is Pip and Tim Stage 2 free?
Is simPODD free?
Do Pip and Tim Stage 2 or simPODD have ads?
Which is updated more often, Pip and Tim Stage 2 or simPODD?
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