Cboard
What it is
Cboard is an open-source communication app for children and adults with speech and language impairments. It supports communication using symbols and text-to-speech, with customizable boards that registered users can save to their accounts. Live Mode lets users enter words directly in the output bar and combine them with symbols. Users can select available voices and adjust pitch and speaking rate. Cboard states that it supports 46 languages and works in modern browsers as well as on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Offline use is available in Google Chrome on desktop and Android. Boards can be exported as OpenBoard Format, PDF, or Cboard's native format; users can also import OpenBoard files and previously exported files. Touchscreen, keyboard, and mouse are supported. A free plan is available, and Pro costs $8 a month or $79 a year. Pro features include online neural voices, board sharing, voice recording for tiles, and a private support channel.
For and against
For
- Supports symbols and text-to-speech
- Registered users can save personalized boards
- Available voices include pitch and rate controls
- Works offline in Chrome on desktop and Android
Against
- Non-registered users cannot safely save changes
- Offline use is limited to Chrome on desktop and Android
- Pro costs $8 a month or $79 a year
The verdict
Cboard offers symbol-based communication with speech output, adjustable voice settings, and portable boards. Its free plan is available, while saved personalization requires registration and offline use is specifically supported in Chrome on desktop and Android.
Who it suits
Cboard is designed for children and adults with speech and language impairments. Its symbol boards, speech controls, and multiple input methods may suit users who communicate through text-to-speech.
Plans and prices
Free
Basic communication features · symbol libraries · board creation and editing · limited feature set
Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Pro Monthly Plan
Online neural voices · copy and publish boards · copy tiles · analytics
Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
Pro Yearly Plan
All Pro Monthly features
Read 14 Oct 2026 · cboard.io
On the record
- Authentication
- Users can register or sign in with Google, Apple, Facebook, or an email address.cboard.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Board editing
- Users can add, remove, rearrange and customize symbols, tiles, folders and board layouts.cboard.io · read 14 Oct 2026
- Board portability
- Cboard supports export to OpenBoard Format, PDF, and its native format, plus importing OpenBoard and previously exported files.cboard.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Browser support
- The product runs in modern browsers and supports desktop, tablet and mobile devices; offline operation is specified for Chrome on desktop and Android.cboard.io · read 14 Oct 2026
- Communication method
- The app facilitates communication with symbols and text-to-speech.cboard.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Company backing
- LinkedIn says the project is supported by UNICEF's Office of Innovation and Microsoft.linkedin.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Company profile
- LinkedIn lists Cboard as a Córdoba, Argentina software-development organization with 2-10 employees.linkedin.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Developer API
- The project wiki points contributors to a separate Cboard API repository and a mobile application repository.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Developer stack
- Development uses React, Redux and Material-UI, with npm start, npm test and npm run build workflows.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Documentation and support
- User help covers configuration, speech, scanning, board editing, import/export and display settings, with password help handled through [email protected].cboard.io · read 14 Oct 2026
- Import and export
- Boards can be exported as Cboard files, PDF or OpenBoard Format and imported from Cboard or OpenBoard files.cboard.io · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent clinical review
- Healthify's April 2026 speech-language-therapist review rated Cboard four stars and described it as a relatively easy free resource with unusually broad language coverage.healthify.nz · read 14 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The repository documents Crowdin for translations, BrowserStack for testing and Discord for developer collaboration.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Cboard is designed for people with speech and language impairments, including children and adults.cboard.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The official FAQ says Cboard supports 46 languages.cboard.io · read 14 Oct 2026
- Licence
- Cboard code is released under the GNU General Public License version 3; bundled symbol sets have separate Creative Commons licences.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: Apple subscription and voices
- Apple reviewers complained that basic features require a subscription, some downloadable voices are unavailable on Apple devices, and word highlighting is missing.apps.apple.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: Google Play paywall
- Google Play reviewers objected that copying and other previously free functions became subscription features.play.google.com · read 14 Oct 2026
