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Cboard

cboard.io

From $6.58/mo Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroidSelf-hosted
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Spec score 9.4 #1 of 25 in AAC Communication Software

What it is

Cboard is an open-source communication app for children and adults with speech and language impairments. It supports communication through symbols and text-to-speech, with customizable boards that registered users can save to their accounts. Live Mode lets users type in the output bar alongside symbols. Available speech controls include voice selection, pitch, and speaking rate; Cboard states that it supports 46 languages. It works on modern browsers and is listed for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Offline use is supported in Google Chrome on desktop and Android. Boards can be exported to OpenBoard Format, PDF, or Cboard's native format, and users can import OpenBoard and previously exported files. Touchscreen, keyboard, and mouse are supported access methods. The free plan is listed at free. Pro Monthly Plan costs $8 a month, and Pro Yearly Plan costs $79 a year. Pro features include online neural voices, board sharing, voice recording for tiles, and a private support channel. Non-registered users cannot safely save board changes.

Spec sheet

What it does
Cboard is an AAC communication application that combines symbols, typed text and text-to-speech for people with speech or language impairments.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Purpose
Cboard is an open-source app for children and adults with speech and language impairments.Read 1 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Intended users
Cboard is designed for people with speech and language impairments, including children and adults.Read 1 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Integrations
The repository documents Crowdin for translations, BrowserStack for testing and Discord for developer collaboration.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
Password resets are handled by emailing [email protected], and Pro includes a private support channel.Read 1 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Authentication
Users can register or sign in with Google, Apple, Facebook, or an email address.Read 1 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Board editing
Users can add, remove, rearrange and customize symbols, tiles, folders and board layouts.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Board portability
Cboard supports export to OpenBoard Format, PDF, and its native format, plus importing OpenBoard and previously exported files.Read 1 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Browser support
The product runs in modern browsers and supports desktop, tablet and mobile devices; offline operation is specified for Chrome on desktop and Android.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Communication method
The app facilitates communication with symbols and text-to-speech.Read 1 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Company backing
LinkedIn says the project is supported by UNICEF's Office of Innovation and Microsoft.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company profile
LinkedIn lists Cboard as a Córdoba, Argentina software-development organization with 2-10 employees.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Developer API
The project wiki points contributors to a separate Cboard API repository and a mobile application repository.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Developer stack
Development uses React, Redux and Material-UI, with npm start, npm test and npm run build workflows.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Documentation and support
User help covers configuration, speech, scanning, board editing, import/export and display settings, with password help handled through [email protected].Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Import and export
Boards can be exported as Cboard files, PDF or OpenBoard Format and imported from Cboard or OpenBoard files.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Independent clinical review
Healthify's April 2026 speech-language-therapist review rated Cboard four stars and described it as a relatively easy free resource with unusually broad language coverage.Read 14 Oct 2026 · healthify.nz
Languages
The official FAQ says Cboard supports 46 languages.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Licence
Cboard code is released under the GNU General Public License version 3; bundled symbol sets have separate Creative Commons licences.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: Apple subscription and voices
Apple reviewers complained that basic features require a subscription, some downloadable voices are unavailable on Apple devices, and word highlighting is missing.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: Google Play paywall
Google Play reviewers objected that copying and other previously free functions became subscription features.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Limit: Google Play saving
A Google Play reviewer warned that edits may be lost across devices unless the user is logged in or synchronization works correctly.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Limit: vocabulary coverage
Healthify says the two free preset boards are not robust vocabulary sets and that creating personalized boards can take substantial time.Read 14 Oct 2026 · healthify.nz
Live Mode
Live Mode lets users type directly into the output bar and play the resulting speech quickly.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Personalization
Registered users can personalize boards and save changes to their accounts, while non-registered users cannot safely save changes.Read 1 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Phrase improvement
An Improve Phrase setting uses artificial intelligence to grammatically improve an output phrase.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Praise: Apple reviewer usability
An Apple reviewer who had used Cboard for about two years called it easy to use and affordable.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Praise: Google Play customization
Google Play reviewers praised the free app's extensive editing, custom tiles and ability to upload personal pictures.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Privacy and security
Cboard says it uses secured networks, SSL encryption for sensitive information, regular malware scanning, and gateway processing so transactions are not stored on its servers.Read 1 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Privacy practices
The privacy policy says the service collects registration details and public IP information, uses SSL for sensitive data and accepts deletion requests by email.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Rating on Apple App Store
3.1 out of 5 from 14 ratingsRead 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Google Play
3.9 out of 5 from 344 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Repository activity
The public GitHub repository lists 762 stars, 286 forks and more than 5,500 commits.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Scanning access
The application offers automatic or manual scanning with configurable delay for switch or key-based selection.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Self-hosting
The repository provides Docker commands that build a production image and run Cboard on port 5000.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Speech controls
Users can choose available voices and adjust pitch and speaking rate.Read 1 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Symbol libraries
The project credits Mulberry, ARASAAC and Global Symbols as symbol sources.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
System requirements
The developer documentation requires Node package installation and runs the development server at localhost:3000; Docker deployment is also documented.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Text-to-speech
Cboard uses the device's synthetic speech engine to read labels and complete messages aloud.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Translation limitation
The project says most translations were machine-generated and have not been reviewed by human speakers.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Voice recordings
Users can attach personal recordings to symbols so those recordings play instead of synthesized speech.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io

Plans and prices

Free Free Forever Basic communication features · symbol libraries · board creation and editing · limited feature set Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Pro Monthly Plan $8 a month Monthly Online neural voices · copy and publish boards · copy tiles · analytics · board and phrase sharing · ad-free · OBF export · private support · tile voice recording Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Pro Yearly Plan $79 a year Yearly All Pro Monthly features Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io

Every Cboard plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports symbols and text-to-speech
  • States support for 46 languages
  • Boards export to PDF and OpenBoard Format
  • Touchscreen, keyboard, and mouse access

Limits

  • Non-registered users cannot safely save changes
  • Offline use is specified for Chrome on desktop and Android
  • Pro Monthly Plan costs $8 a month

Who it suits

Cboard is designed for people with speech and language impairments, including children and adults. It may suit users who communicate through symbols and speech output and need board customization or offline use in Chrome on desktop or Android.

Cboard in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

Cboard is an open-source AAC app built around symbol-and-speech communication for people with speech and language impairments. It is a strong fit for users who want adaptable boards and several ways to move them between formats, but reliable saving depends on registering an account.

Its mix of symbols, typed text and speech output gives users more than one way to compose a message. The trade-off is that offline use is confined to Google Chrome on desktop and Android.

Key features

Cboard pairs symbols with text-to-speech and accepts touchscreen, keyboard or mouse input. Live Mode lets users type into the output bar and combine that text with symbols, which is useful when a prepared board does not contain the words someone needs. Users can select from available voices and adjust pitch and speaking rate. Cboard states that it supports 46 languages.

Boards are customizable, but dependable saving is tied to an account: registered users can personalize boards and save changes, while changes made without registration cannot be safely saved. Sign-in is available through Google, Apple, Facebook or email. That account requirement is worth weighing for anyone who needs persistent personal boards.

Users can export boards as OpenBoard Format (OBF), PDF or Cboard's own format, and import OpenBoard files or previously exported files. Those options make it easier to keep copies or share boards in different forms. Cboard works in modern browsers, with offline use supported in Google Chrome on desktop and Android; it does not claim offline support across all listed platforms.

The Free and Pro plans include online neural voices, copying public boards and tiles, publishing and sharing boards, usage analytics, phrase sharing, OBF export, ad-free use, voice recording for tiles and a private support channel. The feature list therefore does not distinguish Pro from Free; the paid plans cost more for the same stated inclusions.

Pricing

Free: 0.00 USD, billed forever. It includes the same listed features as Pro, making it the sensible starting point for users who want to try Cboard's board and sharing tools without a subscription.

Pro Monthly Plan: $8 a month, billed monthly. It lists the same features as Free, including a private support channel, so the stated plan comparison gives no additional feature reason to pay monthly.

Pro Yearly Plan: $79 a year, billed yearly. It has the same listed inclusions as the other plans and costs less than twelve monthly payments at 8.00 USD each. Choose it only if you have decided to pay for Pro on an annual term; no distinct Pro capability is stated.

Platforms

Cboard supports Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and modern web browsers. Touchscreen, keyboard and mouse access broadens how it can be used, while offline operation is specifically supported in Google Chrome on desktop and Android. Users who need offline access on iOS, macOS or Windows should not assume it is available there.

Who it's for

Cboard is designed for children and adults with speech and language impairments. It suits people who benefit from symbol-based communication but also want to type freely, adjust speech output or use different input methods. Its board exports are useful for users who need portable copies; those who cannot or do not want to register should consider the saving limitation before building personalized boards.

Pros and cons

Pros

Flexible message composition: Symbols, text-to-speech and Live Mode let users combine prepared vocabulary with typed text.

Board portability: OBF, PDF and native-format exports, plus import support, give users several ways to move board content.

Wide platform coverage: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and web access accommodate different devices.

Free plan with broad inclusions: The Free plan lists the same features as Pro, including OBF export and private support.

Cons

Account needed for reliable saving: Unregistered users cannot safely save board changes.

Limited stated offline scope: Offline use is specified for Chrome on desktop and Android, not the other supported platforms.

No stated Pro feature advantage: Both paid plans list the same inclusions as Free, making the reason to upgrade unclear.

Alternatives

AsTeRICS AAC is worth considering if you want a free option with Linux and self-hosted support in addition to mobile, desktop and web platforms.

Flexspeak AAC may suit professional evaluators who need a free license for one professional and up to 10 visuals per month, with real-time translation in 30+ languages.

Spoken is an alternative for users on Android, iOS or macOS who want core app features to remain free and are open to paying for premium features.

CoughDrop is an option for users who want a paid per-communicator plan at $9 a month and a free trial.

Jellow is another freemium AAC communicator for Android, iOS, web and Windows, with a freely downloadable basic option.

TD Snap may fit users seeking an iOS or Windows app who are willing to subscribe for speaking after a one-month free trial.

Niki Talk is another AAC option available on Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows.

Sayella may suit iOS users who want a free plan limited to one child, one device and starter vocabulary, or a paid plan with cloud sync.

Browse more options in AAC Communication Software.

Verdict

Cboard is a good choice for children and adults who need symbol-based communication with speech, typed text and adaptable, portable boards across multiple platforms. Its free plan already includes the features listed for Pro, so most users can start without paying. Look elsewhere if you need reliable board saving without an account or offline use beyond Chrome on desktop and Android.

Verdict

Cboard offers symbol-based communication, speech controls, and portable board formats across several platforms. Check its account requirement for saving changes and its stated limits on offline use.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to CboardAll alternatives →