Asterics AAC vs Grid 3

Asterics AAC9.4Visit Grid 38.7Visit

Higher score Asterics AAC #1 in AAC Communication Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Asterics AAC

vs

Grid 3 #6 in AAC Communication Software 8.7/10 60-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Smartbox

• Asterics AAC fits best

  Broad, accessible AAC at no software cost

• Grid 3 fits best

  Mature Windows AAC with environmental control

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Side by side

Feature	Asterics AAC 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Grid 3 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.7
Ranking	#1 in AAC Communication Software	#6 in AAC Communication Software
Best for	Broad, accessible AAC at no software cost	Mature Windows AAC with environmental control
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	60-day trial
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	60 days
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, iOS
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Phone, Email, Live chat, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Asterics AAC 2/2 · Grid 3 1/2
Speech output	✓	✓
Offline use	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Symbol system	Hybrid	Hybrid
Access methods	Touch, mouse, keyboard, external switch, scanning, hovering, microphone input, and AsTeRICS Framework events such as eye or head movement	touch, keyguards, eye gaze, switches, pointer devices, voice activation
Supported platforms	Web browsers on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux	Windows and iPad
Layout customization	Fully_customizable	Fully_customizable
Our review
Pros	Free and open source across web, desktop and mobile platforms Fully customizable grids with symbols, text, images and speech actions Supports scanning, switches, hovering, eye or head movement and offline use	Combines symbol and text communication with word prediction Supports eye gaze, switches, touch, keyguards and pointer devices Adds computer, environmental control and accessible apps
Cons	Grid configuration may require more setup than a fixed AAC interface Advanced environmental control depends on compatible AsTeRICS Framework events Some features, including prediction and control, may require individual configuration	Paid software with quote-based licence pricing The broad feature set may require configuration and customization iPad access focuses on touch, symbol and text communication
Our verdict	Asterics AAC is a web-based augmentative and alternative communication tool for people who need supported communication. It is designed for users, families, educators and care teams who need adaptable communication grids rather than a… Read the review →	Grid 3 is augmentative and alternative communication software from Smartbox for children and adults whose natural speech is affected by disability. It brings symbol-based vocabularies, text communication, speech output and word prediction… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Asterics AAC — where it wins

  • Free and open source across web, desktop and mobile platforms
  • Fully customizable grids with symbols, text, images and speech actions
  • Supports scanning, switches, hovering, eye or head movement and offline use

  Where it doesn't

  • Grid configuration may require more setup than a fixed AAC interface
  • Advanced environmental control depends on compatible AsTeRICS Framework events
  • Some features, including prediction and control, may require individual configuration

• Grid 3 — where it wins

  • Combines symbol and text communication with word prediction
  • Supports eye gaze, switches, touch, keyguards and pointer devices
  • Adds computer, environmental control and accessible apps

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid software with quote-based licence pricing
  • The broad feature set may require configuration and customization
  • iPad access focuses on touch, symbol and text communication

• Asterics AAC9.4/10 · Free plan

  A flexible free AAC option for users needing personalized grids and varied input methods.

  Visit Asterics AACFull verdict →
• Grid 38.7/10 · 60-day trial

  A mature AAC system combining symbol, text, speech, access and environmental control.

  Visit SmartboxFull verdict →