Asterics AAC vs Weave Chat AAC
Asterics AAC
grid.asterics.euWeave Chat AAC
weavechat.comSide by side
| Figure | Asterics AAC | Weave Chat AAC |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 10 |
| Spec score · AAC Communication Software | 9.1 (#2) | 7.6 (#18) |
| Offline use | After the initial browser visit downloads the app to its cache, Asterics AAC can be reopened and used offline. | The communication board and synthetic voice are available offline, while in-app texting requires data or an internet connection. |
| 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 the app may collect contact-list and camera or photo-library information with prior permission, and that users can change those permissions in device settings. |
| Purpose | Asterics AAC is a web-based application for augmentative and alternative communication that lets users create customizable grids. | Weave Chat AAC is a free AAC app for people who have difficulty using natural speech to communicate. |
| Support | The user documentation says users can open help at the relevant section by clicking the help icon or pressing F1. | The maker offers in-app support provided by an SLP and says users can contact support by messaging in the app. |
Plans
Weave Chat AAC
- Weave Chat AACFree
- Board & Folder Sharing Suite — AAC user/caregiver$4 a month
- Board Hosting — AAC user/caregiver$4 a month
- Remote Editor — AAC user/caregiver$6 a month
- Board & Folder Sharing Suite — Professional$8 a month
- Remote Editor — Professional$14 a month
- Board & Folder Sharing Suite — AAC user/caregiver$40 a year
- Remote Editor — AAC user/caregiver$60 a year
- Board & Folder Sharing Suite — Professional$80 a year
- Remote Editor — Professional$140 a year
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.
Weave Chat AAC
Weave Chat AAC is a free augmentative and alternative communication app for people who have difficulty using natural speech. Users can send picture-symbol messages, words, or both to individuals or groups in the app. Its communication board and synthetic voice work offline, but in-app texting needs data or an internet connection. Users can change board layouts, button and border sizes, appearance, vocabulary, and button behavior; they can also add words and record up to 30 seconds of audio for a button. Word Finder helps locate words. A personal login can keep selections and information available across devices. Weave Chat Connect adds paid tools for sharing boards and folders, hosting boards by URL or QR code, and remotely managing student and client accounts. For sharing only to a contact, only the person sharing needs a subscription. The app is available on iOS and Android, and the maker lists English and 24 other languages. It says it does not display ads or share personal data with third parties. Its privacy policy notes that certain information may be collected with permission and that absolute security cannot be guaranteed.