Grid 3 vs Speech Assistant AAC
Grid 3
smartboxaac.comSpeech Assistant AAC
asoft.nlSide by side
| Figure | Grid 3 | Speech Assistant AAC |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 3 |
| Spec score · AAC Communication Software | 7.8 (#11) | 7.9 (#10) |
| Headquarters | Malvern, Worcestershire, United Kingdom | The Hague, Netherlands |
| Purpose | Grid is AAC software designed to support people with communication and access needs, with tools for communication, independence and learning. | Speech Assistant AAC is a text-to-speech communication app for people with speech impairments, including people with aphasia, MND/ALS or autism. |
| Support | Smartbox says its support team can be contacted by phone, email or online chat, and it offers training for schools and organisations. | The maker invites users to submit questions or requests for information through its contact form. |
Plans
Speech Assistant AAC
- Android basicFree
- Android full version upgrade$9.99, paid once
- iOS standardPrice not published
In their own words
Grid 3
Grid 3 is AAC software from Smartbox for children and adults whose disabilities affect natural speech. It combines symbol vocabularies for different ages with text communication, including word prediction and AI-based assistance. The Fix tool can correct spelling and grammar, expand abbreviations, and fill missing letters or spaces. Speech output is available, and layouts are fully customizable. Access methods include eye gaze, touch with keyguards, switches, pointers, and voice activation. Grid can also provide access to email, SMS, social media, entertainment and streaming services, and web browsing. Computer Control operates a Windows computer, while Environment Control can operate technology around the home. The software supports more than 40 languages. Grid 3 requires Windows 10 or 11; Grid for iPad requires iOS 15 or later. Smartbox offers a 60-day Windows trial and a 30-day iPad trial. Pricing is by quote, with no free plan.
Speech Assistant AAC
Speech Assistant AAC is a text-to-speech communication app for people with speech impairments, including people with aphasia, MND/ALS or autism. It can speak typed text or saved phrases, display a message in large full-screen type, and flip text for someone opposite the user. Phrases can be organized into categories and subcategories, with buttons that include photos or symbols from a set of 3,400 Mulberry symbols. The Android basic version is free; its full-version upgrade costs $9.99 as a one-time purchase, with no subscription. Listed upgrade features include unlimited categories, up to 250 phrases per category, backups and restore, colors, symbols, history, multiple conversations, voice recordings and user profiles. On iOS, voice options include iOS voices, Apple Personal Voice, recorded speech and ElevenLabs voices. The iOS app supports backups through iCloud, Mail or AirDrop. The app is available on Android, iOS and macOS; the iOS version also supports iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Macs with Apple silicon. The Android version cannot be used during phone calls.