Asterics AAC vs TouchChat HD
Asterics AAC
grid.asterics.euTouchChat HD
touchchatapp.comSide by side
| Figure | Asterics AAC | TouchChat HD |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $5/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | 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) | 7.7 (#14) |
| Headquarters | Vienna, Austria | Wooster, Ohio, United States |
| Notable limitation | If an online user loses their password, the password and the account data cannot be recovered; the documentation recommends downloading backups. | TouchChat HD Lite is a non-communicative configuration without speech synthesis or audio playback, available only as an in-app purchase in TouchChat Discover. |
| 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. | PRC-Saltillo's privacy notice says it explains collection, use, sharing, and protection of personal information, and directs readers to a separate HIPAA notice for protected health information. |
| Purpose | Asterics AAC is a web-based application for augmentative and alternative communication that lets users create customizable grids. | TouchChat is an AAC communication app for people who have difficulty using their natural voice, including people with autism, Down syndrome, ALS, apraxia, or stroke. |
| Speech output | Text-to-speech uses device or browser voices and supports multiple languages subject to platform availability. | Words and messages can be spoken using a built-in voice synthesizer or recorded messages. |
| Support | The user documentation says users can open help at the relevant section by clicking the help icon or pressing F1. | The maker provides app support, video tutorials, live online webinars, and training resources. |
Plans
TouchChat HD
- iShare Individual 2GB$59.99 a year
- TouchChat HD - AAC$149.99, paid once
- iShare Team 30GB$239.99 a year
- TouchChat HD - AAC with WordPower$299.99, paid once
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.
TouchChat HD
TouchChat HD is an AAC communication app for people who cannot rely on natural speech, including people with autism, Down syndrome, ALS, apraxia, or stroke. It creates words and messages that can be spoken through a built-in voice synthesizer or recorded audio. The WordPower edition adds AAC vocabularies developed by speech-language pathologist Nancy Inman. Pages, button layouts, messages, and symbols can be customized, with more than 45 button actions and nearly 40,000 SymbolStix symbols listed. Access options include touch, configurable switch scanning, adjustable button timing, gestures, and supported-device head tracking. Listed languages are English, Spanish, Canadian French, Arabic, Hebrew, and Mandarin, with language combinations supported. Text can be shared through social media, iMessage, or email. Vocabulary files support iTunes file sharing, Dropbox, and Google Drive, while backups can use iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. It runs on iPhone, iPad, and compatible Mac computers.