Cboard and Avaz are similar AAC programs that offer various possibilities. While Cboard is ideal for children, Avaz offers a wide range of natural voices and a higher level of simplicity. They vary in terms of vocab and motor planning capacities. Some tablet devices are able to operate both apps, while others aren't. On Cboard, cost is significant, and care coordination is frequently better. There's a lot to see here! Trying to find the right AAC app, autism talker gadget, and manner of communication in general might be complicated, which is why we've simplified the process for you. See how Cboard stacks up against Avaz in the chart below.
Cboard |
Avaz |
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|---|---|---|
| Good for Early Communication |
Requires a log-in to access, which means younger kids must rely on caregivers to access their voice.
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Avaz can be customized for most learners who have little language skills established.
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| Affordable Pricing |
Free. But CBoard depends on charitable donations, which means the future of CBoard may not be certain.
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Offers a 14-day free trial with limited functionality, after which users must choose to subscribe to a monthly ($10 per month), annual ($100 per year) or lifetime plan ($200).
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| Easy to Get Started |
Set-up is simple (under 15 minutes). However, there is little support for customizing and learning more about its functionality. CBoard has an extensive FAQ page on their website but offers little more than that.
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Estimated time: 15 minutes It's easy to get started with the free trial, but it's because there is little customization allowed until fully purchased.
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| Behavior Supports |
CBoard offers no behavior supports. It is language-focused only.
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There is no focus on behavioral skills.
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| Multiple Device options |
CBoard is a web-based app. This means that while it can be used on any device that has access to the internet, it is essentially restricted to the settings of individual browsers.
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Available on both iOS and Android devices, but not Windows or any other type of device.
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| Easy Parent Modeling |
There is no apparent way to search for a word while web-based app is active.
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There's a function called Avaz live that allows therapists to remotely connect to the app during teletherapy sessions and model externally on the user's app.
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| Incentives to practice |
There is no attached reward system that encourages new users to learn a new way to communicate.
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Avaz offers no rewards to users for praciticing language.
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| Natural voices and language availability |
CBoard offers natural voices in 33 languages.
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Available in English US, English AU, French, Sinhala, as well as 6 Indian languages: Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu.
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| Customer Support |
Offline support is only available on android or desktop via google chrome.
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Avaz does have a customer support number and email, but it is an Indian number, so accessibility is not always ideal for international users.
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| Motor Planning |
Users can drag pictograms/symbols or folders to wherever they want by "unlocking" them. This can make it difficult for AAC users to learn where words are if they keep getting moved around.
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While Avaz is more about picture communication, there is an option for users to enable the Page-Up and Page-Down keys instead of scrolling for users who learn best through motor planning.
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| Simplicity of screen |
Words and images are big and easy to find. CBoard also has scrolling. However, the movement of words when adding vocabulary can get confusing!
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The screen is color coded and simpler than many AAC apps, the "home" button is very small and the distinction between foldres and words is not clear.
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| Affordable dedicated device option |
Cboard does not offer a device. It is web-based only, meaning protection of hardware is the sole responsiblity of parents or caregivers.
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Avaz does not offer a dedicated device. It is app only.
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| Communication with spelling |
No- CBoard functions with symbol-based words and does not have a separate keyboard to type out words letter-by-letter.
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Users can toggle between a keyboard and symbols depending on if they want to create sentences or not.
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| Built-In Safety and 9-1-1 Calling features |
There is no built-in safety feature outside of the AAC functionality itself. Because CBoard is limited to web-based browsers, there is little guarantee that users would have reliable access to a communication device in emergencies.
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There is no calling ability offered by Avaz. However, it does have a ‘mistake’ & ‘alert’ button that can alert a caregiver.
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| Reminders to Practice |
There is no reminder feature or visual schedule included in CBoard.
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Reminders to practice are not included with Avaz' software.
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| Image and Symbol Quality |
CBoard is open source, meaning there were many different contributors to its content. User can upload any images they would like, as well as record their own audio for symbols.
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Avaz uses 15,000 pictures from Symbolstix.
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| Fun Games to Build Skills |
CBoard does not provide strategies to improve finger dexterity.
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While the Avaz app does not have any built-in games, it does have information on its website about games that can be helpful in motivating and building skills of AAC users.
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| Levels of vocabulary |
While there is a lot of customization that can be done, there are no specific levels for users to work through as they grow in language capability
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Beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels are included for Avaz's text-based and picture vocabulary.
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| Care team access |
CBoard has community board sharing and is always accessible from the web.
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Avaz has a unique setting that gives teletherapists access to remote modeling.
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