LAMP Words for Life vs TouchChat HD
LAMP Words for Life
prc-saltillo.comTouchChat HD
touchchatapp.comSide by side
| Figure | LAMP Words for Life | TouchChat HD |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.83/mo | $5/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 4 |
| Spec score · AAC Communication Software | 8.1 (#9) | 7.7 (#14) |
| Founded | 1966 | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Wooster, Ohio, United States | Wooster, Ohio, United States |
| Languages | The maker lists English, Spanish, Canadian French, and German vocabulary options. | The app lists English, Spanish, Canadian French, Arabic, Hebrew, and Mandarin options, and supports combining languages. |
| Maker history | PRC-Saltillo's history page says Prentke Romich Company was formed in 1966 and that PRC released LAMP Words for Life in 2012. | The maker's history states that TouchChat was introduced in 2010 as Saltillo's first app. |
| Privacy | PRC-Saltillo's privacy notice says it covers its mobile applications and explains collection, use, sharing, and protection of personal information; it excludes HIPAA-protected personal health information. | PRC-Saltillo's privacy notice says it explains collection, use, sharing, and protection of personal information, and directs readers to a separate HIPAA notice for protected health information. |
| Purpose | LAMP Words for Life is an augmentative and alternative communication app designed to support communication for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. | TouchChat is an AAC communication app for people who have difficulty using their natural voice, including people with autism, Down syndrome, ALS, apraxia, or stroke. |
| Support | PRC-Saltillo lists support articles, video tutorials, live and recorded webinars, free email support, and personalized app support. | The maker provides app support, video tutorials, live online webinars, and training resources. |
| Vocabulary | The maker describes a preprogrammed vocabulary with thousands of words, word forms, and endings, designed to grow without requiring users to relearn vocabulary as they advance. | The WordPower version includes the WordPower suite of AAC vocabularies developed by speech-language pathologist Nancy Inman. |
Plans
LAMP Words for Life
- iShareWFL TrialFree
- Realize Language$9.95 a year
- iShareWFL Personal$59 a year
- iShareWFL Professional$99 a year
- LAMP Words for Life$149.99, paid once
TouchChat HD
- iShare Individual 2GB$59.99 a year
- TouchChat HD - AAC$149.99, paid once
- iShare Team 30GB$239.99 a year
- TouchChat HD - AAC with WordPower$299.99, paid once
In their own words
LAMP Words for Life
LAMP Words for Life is an augmentative and alternative communication app for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. It combines speech output, a hybrid symbol system, and customizable layouts. Each word is assigned a consistent motor pattern, intended to support automaticity as vocabulary expands. The preprogrammed vocabulary contains thousands of words, forms, and endings, with options in English, Spanish, Canadian French, and German. Vocabulary Builder can display only selected words for focused practice, while Word Finder locates words and supports motor-sequence practice. Access methods include touch, single- or two-switch scanning, and head tracking on compatible devices. Voices include Acapela, Almagu, and VoiceKeeper. Data logging can sync with Realize Language, and iShareWFL backs up and shares customized vocabulary files. The app runs on iPhone, iPad, and Apple-silicon Mac. The listed individual iOS price is $149.99 as a one-time purchase, with a 30-day trial.
TouchChat HD
TouchChat HD is an AAC communication app for people who cannot rely on natural speech, including people with autism, Down syndrome, ALS, apraxia, or stroke. It creates words and messages that can be spoken through a built-in voice synthesizer or recorded audio. The WordPower edition adds AAC vocabularies developed by speech-language pathologist Nancy Inman. Pages, button layouts, messages, and symbols can be customized, with more than 45 button actions and nearly 40,000 SymbolStix symbols listed. Access options include touch, configurable switch scanning, adjustable button timing, gestures, and supported-device head tracking. Listed languages are English, Spanish, Canadian French, Arabic, Hebrew, and Mandarin, with language combinations supported. Text can be shared through social media, iMessage, or email. Vocabulary files support iTunes file sharing, Dropbox, and Google Drive, while backups can use iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. It runs on iPhone, iPad, and compatible Mac computers.