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Head-to-head · AAC Communication Software

Asterics AAC vs TouchChat HD

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Asterics AAC #1 in AAC Communication Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Asterics AAC
TouchChat HD #8 in AAC Communication Software 6.9/10 From $149.99 · 30-day trial ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit TouchChat HD

Asterics AAC leads on 2 checks, TouchChat HD on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAsterics AAC · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly Asterics AAC
  • Most featuresAsterics AAC · 2 of 2

Asterics AAC scores higher on our rubric for aac communication software: 9.0 against 6.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Asterics AAC offers free plan; TouchChat HD doesn't. Asterics AAC offers offline use; TouchChat HD doesn't publish it.

Asterics AAC is the better fit for broad, accessible AAC at no software cost. TouchChat HD is the better fit for highly customizable Apple AAC with many symbols.

  • Asterics AAC fits best

    Broad, accessible AAC at no software cost

  • TouchChat HD fits best

    Highly customizable Apple AAC with many symbols

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Asterics AAC 9.0/10 Visit ↗ TouchChat HD 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 6.9
Ranking #1 in AAC Communication Software #8 in AAC Communication Software
Best for Broad, accessible AAC at no software cost Highly customizable Apple AAC with many symbols
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Not published $149.99one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android iOS, macOS
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Asterics AAC 2/2 · TouchChat HD 1/2
Speech output ✓ ✓
Offline use ✓ (best) Not published
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, configurable switch scanning, integrated head tracking
Supported platforms Web browsers on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux iPhone, iPad, compatible Mac computers
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
  • Nearly 40,000 Symbolstix symbols and more than 45 button actions
  • Supports touch, configurable switch scanning, and integrated head tracking
  • Offers synthesized and recorded speech with multiple language options
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
  • The $149.99 purchase is limited to iPhone, iPad, and compatible Mac computers
  • WordPower is not included in the base HD version
  • The 30-day trial is provided through the separate TouchChat Discover app
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 →

TouchChat HD is an augmentative and alternative communication app for people who have difficulty speaking naturally, including individuals with autism, Down syndrome, ALS, apraxia, stroke, and other speech-related conditions. It is…

Read the review →
  1. Asterics AACAAC Communication Software 9.0Free plan
  2. TouchChat HDAAC Communication Software 6.9From $149.99 · 30-day trial

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

  • TouchChat HD — where it wins

    • Nearly 40,000 Symbolstix symbols and more than 45 button actions
    • Supports touch, configurable switch scanning, and integrated head tracking
    • Offers synthesized and recorded speech with multiple language options

    Where it doesn't

    • The $149.99 purchase is limited to iPhone, iPad, and compatible Mac computers
    • WordPower is not included in the base HD version
    • The 30-day trial is provided through the separate TouchChat Discover app

More comparisons

All AAC communication software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update