Pictogram Tools Compared: 6 Boardmaker Alternatives in 2026

Why look for alternatives?

Boardmaker by Tobii Dynavox is the standard in pictograms and visual communication. It's used in schools, special education settings, and speech therapy clinics worldwide. But it's not the only option — and for many people, it's not the best fit.

The most common reasons people look for alternatives:

• Cost. Boardmaker runs approximately $99-300+ per year depending on the license type. For parents who just need pictograms for a morning routine, that's hard to justify.
• Subscription model. Boardmaker shifted from a one-time purchase to subscriptions, frustrating many long-time users.
• Generic symbols. The PCS symbols are widely recognized, but they look the same for everyone. There's no way to customize them for an individual child.
• Complexity. Boardmaker is built for institutions and professionals. For parents who want to make a simple daily schedule, it can feel overwhelming.

Good alternatives exist — both free and paid. Here's an overview of the most important ones.

ARASAAC — the free standard

Price: Free (Creative Commons license) Symbols: 12,000+ Languages: 30+ including partial Danish

ARASAAC is funded by the Government of Aragon in Spain and is the most widely used free pictogram library in the world. The symbols are clean, consistent, and available in over 30 languages.

Strengths:

• Completely free — no hidden costs
• Large and growing library
• Used in many other apps and tools
• Color and black-and-white versions of all symbols

Limitations:

• Only one visual style
• No customization of symbols — you get what's available
• Online tools for creating boards and schedules are basic
• Can't create new symbols — only use existing ones
• Language coverage varies by language

Best for: Parents and professionals on a budget who need a solid, free pictogram library and are willing to work with what's available.

Widgit — popular in the UK

Price: Approximately $99-175+ per year (subscription) or $175-300 one-time for desktop Symbols: 20,000+ Languages: Primarily English

Widgit is a UK company particularly known for "symbol-supported text" — symbols displayed above or below written words. It's widely used in British schools and SEN (Special Educational Needs) settings.

Strengths:

• Symbol-supported text is a unique feature that helps with literacy
• Modern, clean symbols
• Good desktop tool (InPrint) for creating materials

Limitations:

• Primarily aimed at the UK market
• Limited language support outside English
• Subscription pricing
• Smaller library than Boardmaker

Best for: UK schools and SEN professionals working with literacy support.

Picto-Selector — free desktop tool

Price: Free (donation-supported) Symbols: 30,000+ (aggregated from multiple libraries) Languages: Multiple via ARASAAC integration

Picto-Selector is a free Windows application developed in the Netherlands. It collects pictograms from multiple sources — ARASAAC, Sclera, Mulberry, and others — into one tool for creating visual schedules and communication boards.

Strengths:

• Free
• Access to multiple symbol libraries in one program
• Good tools for creating schedules and boards
• Can import your own images
• Works offline

Limitations:

• Windows only — no Mac, web, or mobile
• Dated interface that takes getting used to
• Dependent on third-party symbol libraries
• No ability to generate new symbols
• No cloud sync

Best for: Windows users who want a free, feature-rich tool and don't need something web-based.

Sclera — black-and-white pictograms

Price: Free Symbols: 4,500+ Languages: Primarily Dutch

Sclera is a Belgian non-profit offering black-and-white high-contrast pictograms. They're integrated into Picto-Selector.

Strengths:

• Free
• Clear black-and-white style good for visual impairments
• Simple, recognizable symbols

Limitations:

• Small library
• Only black and white
• Primarily Dutch — limited language support
• No online tools

Best for: Niche use in Dutch-speaking settings with high contrast needs.

SymbolStix — US-focused alternative

Price: Approximately $50-99 per year Symbols: 30,000+ Languages: Primarily English and Spanish

SymbolStix (by n2y/Texthelp) is used primarily in US special education. The symbols have a distinctive "stick figure with color" style.

Strengths:

• Large library
• Modern, consistent visual style
• Web-based
• Limited customization of skin tone and hair color

Limitations:

• US-focused
• Tied to the n2y platform
• Subscription required
• Not widely known outside the US

Best for: US schools already using the n2y/Unique Learning System platform.

Pictofy — custom pictogram generation

Price: Pay-per-use (no subscription). First pictogram free without signup. 5 free credits on account creation. Symbols: Unlimited (generated on demand) + growing library Languages: Danish (default) and English

Pictofy takes a different approach. Instead of a fixed library of symbols, you describe what you need and get it generated in 6 visual styles simultaneously. Available in Danish and English, with more languages coming.

Strengths:

• Generates exactly the pictogram you need — no library gaps
• 6 styles at once: cartoon, minimalist, high contrast, realistic, emoji, outline
• Personal characters: upload a photo and get a figure that looks like your child
• No subscription — pay only for what you use
• Print-on-demand: order as cards and stickers
• Free pictogram library with search

Limitations:

• Newer tool — less brand recognition than established players
• Library is still growing
• Currently Danish and English (more languages coming)
• No integration with AAC devices

Best for: Parents, educators, and professionals anywhere who need custom pictograms that match their specific situation — especially those frustrated with generic symbols that don't fit.

Comparison table

Which should you choose?

It depends on your situation:

• Need the cheapest option? Start with ARASAAC. It's free, widely supported, and covers the most common concepts.

• Need pictograms that don't exist in standard libraries? This is where Pictofy stands out. Specific routines, particular objects, individual situations — you describe it, and it gets made.

• Are you an institution with budget? Boardmaker is still the standard. Many professionals know it, and it integrates with Tobii Dynavox AAC devices. But consider whether you're actually using enough features to justify the cost.

• Does the child need to recognize themselves? Pictofy lets you create pictograms with a personal character based on a photo — the only tool that offers this.

• Windows user who wants everything free? Picto-Selector gives you access to multiple libraries in one program.

The most important thing isn't which tool you choose — but that you use pictograms consistently and in a style the child understands. A free pictogram used every day is worth more than an expensive system that sits unused.