Auslan Storytime vs simPODD
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Auslan Storytime
This app offers Auslan stories told by children for young learners of Auslan. It includes tips from native signers to help parents and educators teach Auslan storytelling effectively. Ideal for children acquiring sign language and adults looking to improve their Auslan skills.
- Auslan stories told by children
- Auslan tips videos
- Native Deaf signer explanations
- Focus on Auslan grammar
- Suitable for young learners
- Educational content for parents and teachers
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Auslan Storytime is aimed at children who sign or are learning to sign who enjoy having stories told to them in Auslan. The stories are mainly aimed at younger children who are still acquiring Auslan. We have carefully chosen RIDBC students to tell the stories in their own words in a way that younger children would enjoy. The app is also beneficial to parents or teachers wanting to learn more about how to tell stories in Auslan in a way that is interesting for young children to watch. When you click on a story, you have two options. One is to watch the story being told. The other is to watch an Auslan tips video. In this video, a native Deaf signer explains some of the ways the RIDBC students have made their stories interesting to children and how the grammar of Auslan is used in the stories, such as changing the directions of verbs or using constructed action. This helps parents or teachers learn more Auslan to be better able to read stories to their own children or students.
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 Auslan Storytime's 0%. simPODD also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 17 months). Auslan Storytime's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, 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. Auslan Storytime sells 4 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.
Auslan Storytime ships an update every 17 months, simPODD every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Auslan Storytime | simPODD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.6 (23 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 77.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 23 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 407 MB | 539 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children | AssistiveWare |
Customer experience
Auslan Storytime
simPODD
In-app purchases
Auslan Storytime
- The Little Red Hen$0.99
- Musicians of Bremen$0.99
- Chinese Zodiac$0.99
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- Three Little Koalas$0.99
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
Questions
Is Auslan Storytime free?
Is simPODD free?
Do Auslan Storytime or simPODD have ads?
Which is updated more often, Auslan Storytime or simPODD?
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