Asterics AAC vs SymboTalk
Asterics AAC
grid.asterics.euSymboTalk
symbotalk.comSide by side
| Figure | Asterics AAC | SymboTalk |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · AAC Communication Software | 9.1 (#2) | 7.3 (#22) |
| Headquarters | Vienna, Austria | Israel |
| Offline use | After the initial browser visit downloads the app to its cache, Asterics AAC can be reopened and used offline. | The Android app listing states that it supports full offline use. |
| Purpose | Asterics AAC is a web-based application for augmentative and alternative communication that lets users create customizable grids. | SymboTalk is an augmentative and alternative communication system that lets people communicate by selecting symbols on boards. |
| Support | The user documentation says users can open help at the relevant section by clicking the help icon or pressing F1. | The Google Play listing gives [email protected] as the support email. |
| Symbols | The editor can search free AAC symbols from ARASAAC and Open Symbols. | Users can create symbols or choose images from an online library of more than 60,000 images, including ARASAAC, Mulberry, and Sclera symbols. |
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.
SymboTalk
SymboTalk is an augmentative and alternative communication system in which people select symbols on boards to communicate. Selecting symbols can produce spoken output and add words to a sentence that can also be spoken. Users can create symbols or choose from an online library of more than 60,000 images, including ARASAAC, Mulberry, and Sclera symbols. Boards support sub-boards and multiple grid options. Profiles let editors configure boards for users, who can use a limited-access “me” mode. The service is available on Android and the web, and the Android app supports full offline use. Core app features are free; cloud sharing, synchronization, and backup are paid features. The app listing describes a ChatGPT integration and an AI Assistant that can generate full boards. Google Play reports the developer declares no data shared with third parties, but says the app may collect personal information, app information and performance, and device or other IDs. It also reports that data is not encrypted and cannot be deleted.