Asterics AAC vs Cboard
Asterics AAC
grid.asterics.eu
Cboard
cboard.ioSide by side
| Figure | Asterics AAC | Cboard |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $6.58/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 3 |
| Spec score · AAC Communication Software | 9.1 (#2) | 9.4 (#1) |
| Licence | The application source code is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and repository documentation is under CC BY-SA 4.0. | Cboard code is released under the GNU General Public License version 3; bundled symbol sets have separate Creative Commons licences. |
| Purpose | Asterics AAC is a web-based application for augmentative and alternative communication that lets users create customizable grids. | Cboard is an open-source app for children and adults with speech and language impairments. |
| Self-hosting | The public repository documents cloning the code, installing Node.js and Yarn, running locally on port 9095, and starting a local CouchDB-backed authentication service. | The repository provides Docker commands that build a production image and run Cboard on port 5000. |
| Support | The user documentation says users can open help at the relevant section by clicking the help icon or pressing F1. | Password resets are handled by emailing [email protected], and Pro includes a private support channel. |
| System requirements | Supported devices include computers, tablets and phones running Windows, macOS, Linux, Android or iOS with a modern browser. | The developer documentation requires Node package installation and runs the development server at localhost:3000; Docker deployment is also documented. |
| What it does | Asterics AAC is a browser-based augmentative and alternative communication tool for building grid communicators with symbols, text and speech. | Cboard is an AAC communication application that combines symbols, typed text and text-to-speech for people with speech or language impairments. |
Plans
In their own words
Asterics AAC
Asterics AAC is a free, web-based augmentative and alternative communication app for building customizable grids. Grid elements can display labels or images, speak labels or custom text, collect selected words into sentences, and offer word predictions. Users can select elements with touch, mouse, keyboard, an external switch, scanning, hovering, microphone input, or AsTeRICS Framework events such as eye or head movement. Computer voices are supported, with availability dependent on the browser and platform. Grid actions can control AsTeRICS Framework models, openHAB devices, and programs or devices with an HTTP REST API. It also supports web radio, YouTube control, and podcasts. After the first browser visit caches the app, it can be used offline. Registered users can synchronize grids across devices; online personal data is encrypted with the user’s password, while offline data remains in the browser. Online data is deleted after 365 days without login, and lost passwords cannot be recovered.
Cboard
Cboard is an open-source communication app for children and adults with speech and language impairments. It supports communication through symbols and text-to-speech, with customizable boards that registered users can save to their accounts. Live Mode lets users type in the output bar alongside symbols. Available speech controls include voice selection, pitch, and speaking rate; Cboard states that it supports 46 languages. It works on modern browsers and is listed for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Offline use is supported in Google Chrome on desktop and Android. Boards can be exported to OpenBoard Format, PDF, or Cboard's native format, and users can import OpenBoard and previously exported files. Touchscreen, keyboard, and mouse are supported access methods. The free plan is listed at free. Pro Monthly Plan costs $8 a month, and Pro Yearly Plan costs $79 a year. Pro features include online neural voices, board sharing, voice recording for tiles, and a private support channel. Non-registered users cannot safely save board changes.