Asterics AAC vs Sayella
Asterics AAC
grid.asterics.euSayella
sayella.comSide by side
| Figure | Asterics AAC | Sayella |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | £4.92/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Spec score · AAC Communication Software | 9.1 (#2) | 7.6 (#17) |
| Notable limitation | If an online user loses their password, the password and the account data cannot be recovered; the documentation recommends downloading backups. | The download page says Android and web access are not yet available. |
| 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 privacy policy says synced board data is encrypted, analytics do not receive AAC content, and Sayella does not sell personal data. |
| Purpose | Asterics AAC is a web-based application for augmentative and alternative communication that lets users create customizable grids. | Sayella is an AAC communication app for nonverbal children and adults that speaks messages made from pictures and words. |
| Support | The user documentation says users can open help at the relevant section by clicking the help icon or pressing F1. | Support is available by email at [email protected], with replies aimed within two working days. |
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.
Sayella
Sayella is an AAC communication app for nonverbal and minimally verbal children and adults. It turns pictures and words into spoken messages, with speech available offline on iPhone and iPad. Its customizable boards use a research-based core vocabulary, fixed button positions, and selectable board sizes. The app supports touch, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. Boards can be imported and exported in Open Board Format, including.obf and.obz files. Users can generate symbols from words or photos; free accounts include two generations, while paid plans allow unlimited generations. Sayella says AI requests go through Vercel AI Gateway to Google's Imagen and Gemini image models. It states that synced board data is encrypted, analytics do not receive AAC content, and personal data is not sold. Free costs nothing, billed forever, for one child and one device. Monthly costs £7.99 a month, Yearly costs £59 a year, and Lifetime costs £189, paid once. The download page lists Android and browser access as coming soon.