LAMP Words for Life is built on a specific and well-regarded idea: consistent motor planning. Every word lives in a fixed position, so children learn to say words the way we learn to type — through muscle memory. Many SLPs swear by it, especially for autistic children. It costs $299.99 as a one-time purchase.
Tala approaches communication from a different angle — whole phrases, natural voices, and zero upfront cost. Both philosophies help real children; here's how to think about the choice.
| Tala | LAMP Words for Life | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free to start · $9.99/mo for unlimited custom boards | $299.99 one-time |
| Free for SLPs & teachers | Yes — free forever | No |
| Languages | 14 (EN, ES, SV, IT, PT, DE, FR, NO, DA, TR, NL, ZH, HI, AR) | English |
| Whole-phrase cards (GLP) | Yes, by design | No — word-based |
| Platform | iOS | iOS |
| Best for | Beginning communicators, gestalt language processors, families starting out | Children who thrive on motor-planning consistency, LAMP-trained therapy teams |
LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) keeps every word in exactly the same place forever, so a child's hands learn the path to each word. It's a serious, research-informed methodology — and it works best with an SLP trained in the LAMP approach guiding the process.
Tala is built for gestalt language processors: children who pick up language in whole chunks. Cards say complete, useful things — "I want water", "I need a break" — with one natural voice per language. There's no methodology to learn; a parent can be up and running before breakfast.
LAMP Words for Life is $299.99 upfront (schools buying 20+ licenses get roughly half off). There's a 30-day trial through the Discover app.
Tala is free to use with the default boards, $9.99/month only if you outgrow the free allowance — and always free for SLPs and teachers. A full year of Tala costs less than half of LAMP's sticker price.
LAMP Words for Life is English-only. Tala ships 14 languages with a natural voice in each. If your home language is Spanish, Swedish, German, Hindi, Arabic — or you're raising a bilingual child — Tala covers you where LAMP simply can't.
Choose LAMP Words for Life if your SLP is trained in the LAMP approach and recommends it for your child, motor-planning consistency is the priority, and English is your family's language.
Choose Tala if you want to start today for free, your child echoes whole phrases rather than building word by word, or you need any language other than English.
The best AAC app is the one your child will actually use every day.