AAC App Comparison
Ryan's Voice vs Proloquo2Go: an honest comparison
Proloquo2Go is an established AAC app. Ryan's Voice takes a different approach. This page compares pricing models, vocabulary design, access, privacy and suitability so the person can make an informed choice.
Short version: Proloquo2Go is a mature, symbol-based system with a large symbol library and deep customisation. Ryan's Voice is a free-core AAC app with phrase, symbol and text routes plus optional context-aware choices. They take different approaches and may suit different people.
Side-by-side
| Ryan's Voice | Proloquo2Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free core; optional Smart Voice monthly or lifetime purchase. Check the App Store for local pricing. | Paid one-time purchase. Check the current vendor or App Store listing. |
| Core model | Phrase-level (whole utterances) | Symbol-based, word-by-word composition |
| Context-aware choices | Nearby speech can be transcribed on the device to surface phrase choices | Check the current product documentation |
| Works offline | Core tools work offline; see privacy policy for feature details | Check the current product documentation |
| Interaction approach | Large touch choices and whole prepared phrases can reduce selections for familiar messages | Configurable symbol vocabulary and word-by-word composition |
| Vocabulary route | Complete phrases, symbols, text and personal phrases | Symbol vocabulary that can be customised across ages |
| Symbol library | Phrase-first (text + voice) | Very large (SymbolStix), a key strength |
| Platform | iPhone & iPad (iOS/iPadOS 18.0+) | Check the current product documentation |
| Maturity | New (2026) | Established; consult the vendor's current evidence and documentation |
Ryan's Voice facts were reconciled to public version 3.1.0 on 12 September 2026. Proloquo2Go is a product of AssistiveWare; verify its current features, platforms and pricing with AssistiveWare before deciding. If anything here is out of date, tell us.
Where Proloquo2Go is strong
Proloquo2Go has a large symbol library, extensive customisation and an established support ecosystem. A person who communicates well with its symbol vocabulary and word-by-word grammar building may value that depth and continuity. Verify current evidence and capabilities with AssistiveWare and the person's AAC team.
Where Ryan's Voice is different
1. The core app is free
Ryan's Voice keeps core communication free — more than 1,000 ready-to-use phrases, text-to-speech, favourites, personal phrases, symbols and Quick SOS. Smart Voice is optional and available through monthly or lifetime in-app purchase options.
2. A phrase-level route
Apraxia of speech can make repeated precise selections demanding. Ryan's Voice offers whole, prepared phrases on large touch tiles, which can reduce the number of selections needed for a familiar message. More on AAC for apraxia →
3. It listens, on-device
With Smart Voice, nearby speech is transcribed on the device and used to present context-aware phrase choices. The person chooses what, if anything, is spoken. See the privacy policy for local storage, Apple services and optional sharing.
4. It provides more than one route
Ryan's Voice includes complete phrases with social and emotional nuance, alongside symbols, text input and personal phrases. The person can use the route that fits the moment rather than being confined to one vocabulary format.
Evidence boundary: Ryan's Voice includes more than 1,000 ready-to-use phrases. An internal, dialect-adjusted vocabulary audit is available to clinicians and funders; it is product documentation, not peer-reviewed clinical evidence.
Which should you choose?
Consider Proloquo2Go when a person benefits from a mature symbol vocabulary, deep customisation and continuity with an established system.
Consider trialling Ryan's Voice when a person wants phrase, symbol and text routes, large touch choices and optional context-aware suggestions. Suitability depends on the person's language, access method, preferences, environment and support needs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I try a free AAC core app?
Ryan's Voice has a free core communication app. Smart Voice is optional and available through monthly or lifetime in-app purchase options. Verify all products' current prices and inclusions before deciding.
Can I trial Ryan's Voice alongside Proloquo2Go?
Yes. Ryan's Voice can be installed and explored alongside an existing app without removing the person's established communication. Let the person lead the comparison, with support from their speech pathologist or AAC team where useful.
Does Ryan's Voice use symbols?
Yes. Ryan's Voice includes a symbol-based route as well as prepared phrases, text input and personal phrases. A person who relies on a large, deeply customised symbol grid may prefer another system; the apps make different design trade-offs.
Does Ryan's Voice work without internet?
Core features including phrases, text-to-speech and favourites work without internet. Smart Voice is designed to process nearby speech and context-aware choices on supported devices.
Try Ryan's Voice free
The current core app is free. See whether its phrase, symbol and text routes fit the person.
Download on the App Store →