Co vs DocsPlus Universal
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Co
This app provides advanced word prediction and spelling support for students. It offers grammar-smart suggestions and access to millions of topic-specific dictionaries to aid in writing. Built-in text-to-speech functionality helps users review their work.
- Grammar-smart word prediction
- Millions of topic-specific dictionaries
- Flexspell™ technology for spelling errors
- Built-in text-to-speech
- Personalized vocabulary and settings
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Co:Writer® Universal app and third-party keyboard gives students easy access to word prediction on iPad, iPad Pro, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Students simply sign in to their Co:Writer Universal accounts to write with their personal settings and vocabulary. ABOUT CO:WRITER UNIVERSAL This version is for schools with a Co:Writer Universal license only. Users without a Co:Writer Universal license must purchase the Co:Writer app. HOW DOES CO:WRITER WORK? As letters are typed, Co:Writer predicts the intended word with a selection of word suggestions using powerful grammar-smart word prediction. These suggestions can be read aloud with a swipe. Selecting the intended word places it into the writing document. For feedback while writing (and after writing) built-in text to speech can be used to read letters, words, sentences, and the entire document. 4+ MILLION TOPIC-SPECIFIC DICTIONARIES Co:Writer has access to a main prediction dictionary (that includes core words) and Topic Dictionaries (that includes topic specific words). Co:Writer can access over 4 million topic-specific dictionaries which are activated based on the writing task. A small sampling of the variety of topic dictionaries: - America's Cup - Apple II - Compare and Contrast - Dinosaurs - Grumpy Cat - History of the Peloponnesian War - Mahatma Gandhi - My Dog - Pig Latin - Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost - SpongeBob SquarePants - Tommy (album) - Wonders of the World SPELLING SUPPORT Co:Writer handles the widest range of spelling mistakes through its Flexspell™technology including phonetic spelling and inventive spelling errors (letter omissions, word ending omissions, letter reversals, etc). Examples of how Co:Writer aides with phonetic and/or inventive spelling: Before Co:Writer The blk jargon flu over the bra lfnt. R u hpy to ce me? I no hw to nor the fone. After Co:Writer The black dragon flew over the gray elephant. Are you happy to see me? I know how to answer the phone. GRAMMAR SUPPORT Co:Writer bases its prediction off of proper grammar, and uses its understanding of grammar to accurately predict words within the framework of valid sentence structures. Examples of how Co:Writer aides with grammar: Dogs are furry. (noun, verb, adj.) - When you typed d-o, you get plural noun choices Three very mangy dogs ran down the street. (adj., adv., adj., noun, verb… etc.) - After typing three, very, mangy, you get plural noun choices, then you get plural verb tenses. OTHER FEATURES - Built-in Text to Speech - Export
DocsPlus Universal
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FOR STUDENTS AGED 11-ADULT DocsPlus is a specially designed word processor with an adult look and feel, yet provides extensive writing support through high quality speech, powerful word prediction and our acclaimed Wordbars. REVIEW WRITING WITH CLEAR SPEECH As students write, their work is read back to them as each sentence is completed. Research shows this active engagement with text encourages students to find and correct errors for themselves. DEVELOP VOCABULARY AND SPELLING WITH WORD PREDICTION The intelligent predictor suggests words that fit the context of students’ writing. It’s easily customized to the right reading level, helping students to use good vocabulary and create flowing text with accurate spelling. BUILD WRITING CONFIDENCE WITH WORDBARS The unique Wordbars provide tabbed vocabulary support for any subject or topic – just click a word to add it to the document. Make your own Wordbars in a flash to support any topic, or get free, ready-made ones from our LearningGrids site within the app which covers a range of curriculum topics. CHECK WORDS BEFORE THEY ARE USED Learners can listen to words before they write them, helping them to find the word they want and achieve writing success. Any word in the predictor, spell checker or Wordbar can be heard before it is used so students can be sure of their selection. ADD VOICE NOTES Voice Notes are a simple yet highly effective way for students to add their own prompts so they don’t forget their train of thought – add them to the document at any time. ORGANIZE IDEAS WITH WORKSPACE Organizing ideas is a vital first step in the writing process, and one that many learners struggle with. WorkSpace is a user-friendly mind mapping area that makes it easy to capture and organize thoughts using words, Voice Notes, and pictures. It takes seconds to create a WorkSpace, and you’ll find hundreds of free, ready-made ones on all kinds of curriculum topics on LearningGrids, available directly from the app. ACCESS CURICULUM CONTENT The integrated Document Reader reads aloud any PDF or Word document, providing equal access to worksheets, exam papers and more. Worksheets sit alongside the document being written for easy access. SIT EXAMS INDEPENDENTLY Students who qualify for additional access arrangements in exams can use DocsPlus instead of a human scribe or reader – it’s better for self-esteem and saves time and money. Students can even enter answers directly onto the exam paper if it’s provided as an editable PDF. USE IT YOUR WAY Choose between male and female American English voices (British and Australian voices also provided), and customize font and colors to suit the individual. Work with documents from your iPad, iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive. MS Word and PDF formats are supported, and DocsPlus works anywhere, whether or not you have an Internet connection. PART OF CRICK SOFTWARE’S FAMILY Based in the UK and US, Crick Software has a worldwide reputation for quality educational software for students of all abilities. To find more apps, search for Crick Software in the App Store.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Co at none against DocsPlus Universal's 1. Co also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 17). On price, update cadence and 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
Both are free to download. DocsPlus Universal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Co asks for nothing beyond the download.
Co ships an update every 4 months, DocsPlus Universal every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Co | DocsPlus Universal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.6 (17 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 8.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 17 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 17 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 45 MB | 177 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Don Johnston Incorporated | Crick Software |
In-app purchases
Co
No in-app purchases
DocsPlus Universal
- DocsPlus Universal full$350.00









