TouchChat and Avaz’s AAC apps have some key differences. TouchChat offers extensive vocabulary options and customizable layouts, making it great for early communication and motor planning. On the other hand, Avaz focuses on affordability and simplicity, making it easy to get started and ideal for family sharing. In the table below, we'll compare features like pricing, vocabulary, and ease of use to help you decide which AAC app is best for your needs.
TouchChat |
Avaz |
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|---|---|---|
| Good for Early Communication |
Is great for kids who need an interactive board that guides them to make sentences based on the selected word.
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Avaz can be customized for most learners who have little language skills established.
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| Affordable Pricing |
The $9.99 lite version has no voice output, which can defeat much of the purpose of the app. The HD version is $149.99 and pro version is almost $300. There is no family sharing. Dedicated devices cost over $4,000.
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Offers a 14-day free trial with limited functionality, after which users must choose to subscribe for a lifetime ($200).
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| Easy to Get Started |
There is an intense programming set up process and a 108-page manual for parents.
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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 |
TouchChat is pretty simple in its function and does not offer more than communication.
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No features that develop behavioral skills are offered.
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| Multiple Device Options |
TouchChat is only available on iOS devices (or one of two dedicated device options that cost over four thousand dollars) and is chained to one person's apple ID. This makes it difficult to use with a variety of caregivers, teachers, and locations.
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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 |
The Word Finder feature is on the app itself within the keyboard functionality, meaning caregivers must take the device away from the user to show them how to find a word.
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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 |
TouchChat does not have any internal motivators to practice.
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Avaz offers no rewards to users for practicing language
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| Natural Voices and Language Availability |
Available in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic. However, many voices have to be purchased separately.
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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 |
LiveChat or calling support is only offered when subscribed to a premium support plans. If you are using the Lite app, you have to rely on support articles for help.
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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 |
The vocabulary avaiable is WordPower, a word-based page set made by Nancy L. Inman, M.A.T., CCC-SLP. This type of board helps users create sentences "on the fly."
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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 the Screen |
Buttons are often small and thin in size when using it to its fullest potential, requiring good finger dexterity.
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The image-to-text size ratio is confusing to users and makes it difficult to read.
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| Safety and 9-1-1 Calling features |
TouchChat only offers the functionality of a talker.
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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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| Affordable Dedicated Device Option |
The only available dedicated device is a NovaChat by Saltillo or TouchChat Express, which are over $4,000 in cost.
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Avaz does not offer a dedicated device. It is app only.
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| Communication With Spelling |
TouchChat offers a keyboard for creating words from letters. It also has head tracking.
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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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| Reminders to Practice |
No built-in incentives to grow in communication.
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Reminders to practice are not included with Avaz' software.
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| Image and Symbol Quality |
You have to purchase additional symbol libraries and voices to make it uniquely customized.
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Avaz uses 15,000 pictures from Symbolstix.
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| Fun Games to Build Skills |
Touch Chat has no external or supporting games that improve AAC users' 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 |
Has a robust vocabulary- base of 500 core words, has grammar features that you can turn on, and has a literacy feature called "logical linking"
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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 |
The app is limited to devices logged in on the apple ID used to purchase the software.
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Avaz has a unique setting that gives teletherapists access to remote modeling.
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See why Goally's AAC is helping kids learn language and communicate quickly. Compare Goally to all other apps available to discover why parents find it the easiest to navigate and most effective for their kids.
We understand kids can be tough on devices. If your Goally breaks within 90 days, we’ll replace it at no cost.
