Widgit Go Basic vs simPODD
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Widgit Go Basic
This free communication app offers pre-made activities to support language development and learning. It's ideal for exploring communication grids and activities without editing features. Additional content and full editing capabilities are available via in-app purchases.
- Free example activities
- Supports communication
- Supports learning
- Supports language development
- Offline use
- Text-to-speech voices (purchasable)
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Widgit Go Basic is the FREE version of Widgit Go, without the editing features. Perfect for trying out grids and activities to support communication, learning and language development. Widgit Go Basic comes with 8 free example activities. More activities, voices for text to speech, and the full Widgit Go editor, can be purchased from within the app. No internet connection is required for using activities.
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 review sentiment: simPODD at 78% against Widgit Go Basic's 33%. simPODD also leads on ratings volume (21 vs 3). Widgit Go Basic's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Widgit Go Basic sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and simPODD sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Widgit Go Basic holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: simPODD has 21 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Widgit Go Basic's written reviews are positive against 78% of simPODD's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Widgit Go Basic ships an update every 4 months, simPODD every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Widgit Go Basic | simPODD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | 4.5 (21 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | 77.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 21 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.3 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 67 MB | 539 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Widgit Software Ltd | AssistiveWare |
Customer experience
Widgit Go Basic
simPODD
In-app purchases
Widgit Go Basic
- Simon SaysFree
- Getting Up SequenceFree
- FractionsFree
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- HeatherFree
- StuartFree
- All About Me$0.99
- Making Sentences 1$1.99
- Alphabet$1.99
- What is it?$3.99
- Widgit Symbol Set$79.99
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









