Avaz vs Cboard

Avaz is a picture- and text-based AAC app for people with complex communication needs to express themselves and learn. Its category-based vocabulary is available across three grades of core vocabulary, with a consistent layout and motor patterns. Keyboard prediction can correct spelling mistakes and can be set to show suggestions after a delay. Users can add words, personalize pictures, and change settings through the Settings Wizard. The Activity Dashboard and Communication Adventures offer caregivers activity ideas, strategies, and modeling training. Avaz Analytics presents communication development in graphs and charts for therapists. Dropbox can be linked to back up and sync vocabulary across devices; users can also import or export pages to share with other Avaz users. The app provides speech output and supports touch, switch, and eye-gaze access on iOS and Android, in multiple languages. Avaz also offers FreeSpeech for English grammar practice using picture tiles, and Reader, which supports reading with hints and help for learners including children with dyslexia and first-generation English speakers. Avaz AAC – English costs $149.99, paid once and includes a free 2-week trial.

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.