Asterics AAC vs Niki Talk
Asterics AAC
grid.asterics.euNiki Talk
nikitalk.comSide by side
| Figure | Asterics AAC | Niki Talk |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · AAC Communication Software | 9.1 (#2) | 8.2 (#7) |
| Headquarters | Vienna, Austria | Italy |
| Maker | The AsTeRICS Foundation says it was founded in February 2017 to bring project results to people with disabilities, organize workshops, and coordinate projects. | The site says Niki Talk originated from Alessandro La Rocca in collaboration with a therapist specializing in AAC and assistive technologies. |
| Privacy | For online users, personalized data is end-to-end encrypted with the user’s password, and the foundation says it cannot access that data unencrypted. | The maker says its apps do not collect or transmit personal information or location data, use analytics, or include advertising. |
| Purpose | Asterics AAC is a web-based application for augmentative and alternative communication that lets users create customizable grids. | Niki Talk is an augmentative and alternative communication app intended to help children with autism or disabilities that impair communication. |
| Support | The user documentation says users can open help at the relevant section by clicking the help icon or pressing F1. | The maker lists [email protected] for questions and alternative payment arrangements. |
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.
Niki Talk
Niki Talk is an augmentative and alternative communication app intended to help children with autism or disabilities that impair communication. With Niki Talk Designer, users can create custom boards and add pictograms and photos to a personalized album. Designer generates speech through text-to-speech in 31 languages, and the purchase page lists 70 voices. The Trial version lasts 30 days and limits an album to 30 pictures. The Full version costs €4,900, paid once and provides unlimited album pictures and access that never expires. Both plans list one user and unlimited downloads on iPad, iPhone, and Android. The app is also listed for Kindle; Designer can be used on PC, Mac, and iPad. To use an album on a device, users configure it with the same ID and password as Designer and enable album downloads. The maker says its apps do not collect or transmit personal or location data, use analytics, or include advertising. A separate app, Niki Agenda, supports daily or weekly scheduling, activity symbols, customizable pictograms, and token-based rewards.