Widgit Online is a strong symbol-based story builder, but it runs on a different proprietary symbol set than Boardmaker's PCS, so the right choice depends on which symbols your student's AAC system already uses, not which tool has more features. Both still require you to write every sentence yourself. That manual step is part of why 94% of school SLPs, OTs, and parents spend 30 or more minutes on a single social story, per Emoquest's 2024 community survey (n=16).
What is Widgit Online actually built for?
Widgit Online is a browser-based symbol editor built around the Widgit Symbols library, used widely in UK and international special education. It ships with a dedicated "Stories to Help" template for personalized social narratives, plus visual timetables, communication boards, and topic word mats built on the same symbol set. For a school SLP building a social story, that means a ready-made page layout, drag-and-drop symbols, and a dual-language feature for EAL students, but no AI drafting of the sentences themselves.
How does that compare to what Boardmaker does?
Boardmaker is built around the PCS symbol set instead of Widgit Symbols, and it is the tool most commonly already in use across US AAC systems and IEP teams. The core limitation is the same in both tools: neither drafts story text for you, and both require placing symbols page by page. The real difference is which symbol library your student already recognizes from their AAC device or classroom visuals.
| Factor | Widgit Online | Boardmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol library | Widgit Symbols, common in UK/international settings | PCS symbols, common in US AAC systems and IEPs |
| Social story template | "Stories to Help" built-in template | General board templates, no story-specific template |
| AI text drafting | No | No |
| Pricing | ~£295/yr for up to 20 school users (~£90/yr individual) | ~$99-$199/yr per license, ~$399 one-time option |
| Best fit | UK/international programs, Widgit-symbol AAC users | US school SLPs, PCS-symbol AAC users |
From the same 2024 survey: getting the pictures and formatting right is 90% of the work of building a social story. Neither Widgit Online nor Boardmaker removes that 90%, since both hand you a symbol library and a blank canvas rather than a finished draft. You still do the layout and word choice yourself.
Which one should a US school SLP actually pick?
For most US school SLPs, Boardmaker is the safer default because PCS is the symbol set already tied to most students' AAC devices and district-purchased visual supports. Widgit Online becomes the better choice specifically when a student's AAC system, prior school, or family already uses Widgit Symbols, which is more common for students who moved from a UK or international program, or for EAL/multilingual students who benefit from Widgit's dual-language feature.
What about students who need AI-drafted text instead of just symbols?
Neither Widgit Online nor Boardmaker drafts the sentences for you, so many SLPs pair either tool with a separate text drafter (ChatGPT, Claude, or MagicSchool) to write the story, then place the finished sentences next to symbols inside the layout tool. That two-step workflow is common enough that it is worth planning for rather than expecting one tool to do both jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Widgit Online available for US schools?
Yes, but it is a UK company with UK pricing in pounds and a symbol set more common in UK and international special education than in US AAC systems. US school SLPs whose students use PCS symbols will usually get more mileage from Boardmaker.
Does Widgit Online have a dedicated social story tool?
Yes, Widgit Online includes a "Stories to Help" template built specifically for personalized social narratives, alongside its wider library of visual timetables and communication boards.
How much does Widgit Online cost compared to Boardmaker?
Widgit Online school accounts start around 295 British pounds a year for up to 20 users, roughly comparable to or higher than Boardmaker 7's 99 to 199 dollar range per year depending on license, before currency conversion.
Do Widgit symbols and PCS symbols work together?
No. Widgit Symbols and PCS, used by Boardmaker, are two separate proprietary symbol libraries. A student who already communicates with PCS on their AAC device will not recognize Widgit Symbols, and mixing the two in one story can confuse rather than help.
Which tool drafts the story text for you?
Neither Widgit Online nor Boardmaker drafts sentences for you. Both are symbol-and-layout editors, so you still write every sentence yourself before placing it next to a symbol.
Is Widgit Online worth trying before switching from Boardmaker?
Only if your student's AAC system already uses Widgit Symbols, or you work in a UK or international program. Otherwise the 21-day free trial is low-risk, but most US school SLPs will not gain anything switching away from PCS-aligned tools.
One approach for school SLPs short on time is to keep a 5-tool stack: a methodology checklist, a slide template you reuse, a folder of stock photos sorted by scenario, an AI text drafter (ChatGPT, Claude, MagicSchool, or Emoquest for one-sentence-in story output), and a symbol-and-layout tool that matches your student's existing AAC system, whether that is Boardmaker's PCS or Widgit Online's Widgit Symbols. Match the symbol library to the student first, then pick the tool.