Proloquo2Go Review: Is It Worth It for Your Child?

Reviewed by a licensed speech-language pathologist

Quick answer: Proloquo2Go is a well-established symbol-based AAC app for iPad and iPhone that gives a child a voice through tapping pictures and words. It is worth it for many children who need a reliable way to communicate, especially with guidance from a speech-language pathologist. It is a real investment, so a trial and professional input matter first.

When a child cannot rely on spoken language to be understood, families often start looking at augmentative and alternative communication, usually shortened to AAC. Proloquo2Go is one of the most widely used AAC apps, and its name comes up early in almost any search. This review walks through what it does, who it fits, what it costs, and how to judge whether it earns a place on your child’s device.

What is Proloquo2Go and how does it work?

Proloquo2Go is a symbol-based AAC app that runs on Apple devices. A child taps buttons that show a picture and a word, and the app speaks the message aloud in a natural sounding voice, including child voices. Buttons combine into short phrases and sentences, so a child can move from single words toward longer messages over time.

The app is built around a core vocabulary of high-frequency words that work across many situations, with folders for topic-specific words layered on top. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, AAC covers any method that adds to or replaces speech, from simple picture boards to speech-generating devices, and a tablet app like this one sits firmly in that family of tools. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders describes these assistive devices as ways to support people with voice, speech, or language disorders.

Who is Proloquo2Go a good fit for?

The app tends to fit children who understand more than they can say, and who can learn to locate and select symbols. That includes many autistic children, children with apraxia of speech, and children with other conditions that affect spoken output. It scales, so a child can begin with a small set of buttons and grow into a larger vocabulary without switching apps.

It is less of an automatic fit for a child who needs eye-gaze access, has significant vision differences, or does better with a physical device that cannot be closed or swapped for games. Those are not dealbreakers on their own, but they are reasons to have an evaluation guide the choice rather than picking an app because it is popular.

How much does it cost, and will insurance help?

Proloquo2Go is a one-time purchase, generally around 250 dollars, with no subscription for the core app. On top of that you need a compatible iPad or iPhone. That is expensive for an app, yet modest next to a dedicated speech-generating device, which can run into the thousands.

Funding is where families hit friction. Speech-generating devices can be covered as durable medical equipment, and Medicaid and many private plans have pathways for that, as outlined on Medicaid.gov. The catch is that a consumer app on a general tablet is harder to get funded than a locked, dedicated device, because payers often want a device that only does communication. A speech-language pathologist can write the evaluation and documentation that make a medical-need case stronger.

What are the strengths and drawbacks?

On the strength side, the app has a long track record, a large and organized vocabulary, natural voices, and a big community of therapists who know it well. That last point matters more than it sounds, because support and shared setups save real time. It also runs on hardware many families already own.

The drawbacks are honest ones. The price is a hurdle. The learning curve is real for parents, since a well-organized vocabulary can look busy at first. And using a general iPad means the temptation of videos and games sits one tap away, which some children find hard to ignore during communication time. None of these are unique to this app, but they are worth weighing.

How should families decide, and what helps in the meantime?

The strongest move is to involve a speech-language pathologist before buying. Many clinics can arrange a trial so a child can try the app with real support before money changes hands. Understood.org offers plain-language background on AAC basics that can help families come to that meeting with good questions. It also helps to watch how your child already communicates, since the CDC’s developmental milestones give a sense of where a child is and what to aim toward next.

While an evaluation or funding decision is pending, spoken language practice at home can continue in parallel. Voice-first, play-based tools such as the Little Words app give a child short, low-pressure daily speaking practice a parent can start at home, which can sit alongside AAC rather than compete with it. AAC and speech practice are not either-or, and both are supplements to a therapist’s plan, not replacements for it. Keep any home practice light and positive rather than a chore.

Key takeaways

• Proloquo2Go is a proven symbol-based AAC app that gives a child a spoken voice through pictures and words.
• It fits many children who understand more than they can say and can learn to select symbols, best chosen with professional input.
• The cost is a one-time app purchase plus an Apple device, and funding through insurance or Medicaid is possible but not simple.
• Strengths include a large vocabulary, natural voices, and wide therapist familiarity; drawbacks include price, a learning curve, and distraction on a general tablet.
• Trial the app with a speech-language pathologist first, and keep spoken language practice going alongside AAC.

Frequently asked questions

What is Proloquo2Go used for?

It is a symbol-based AAC app for iPad and iPhone. A child taps pictures and words that the app speaks aloud, giving children who cannot rely on spoken language a way to communicate.

How much does Proloquo2Go cost?

It is a one-time purchase, typically around 250 dollars, plus an Apple device. There is no subscription for the core app, and the total is far below a dedicated speech-generating device.

Does insurance or Medicaid cover Proloquo2Go?

Sometimes. Speech-generating devices can be covered as durable medical equipment, though an app on a general tablet is harder to fund than a locked device. A speech-language pathologist can help document medical need.

Is Proloquo2Go good for beginners?

It can be, with support. The vocabulary scales from a few buttons upward, so a beginner can start small, and coaching from a clinician helps early success.

Will using an AAC app stop my child from talking?

No. AAC does not hold back speech. For many children, a reliable way to communicate supports language growth rather than replacing it.

Sources

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) (asha.org)
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Assistive Devices (nidcd.nih.gov)
• Medicaid.gov: Coverage and Durable Medical Equipment (medicaid.gov)
• Understood.org: AAC Basics for Families (understood.org)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Developmental Milestones (cdc.gov)