Grid for iPad vs BITS Lab
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Grid for iPad
This app provides a comprehensive Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solution for individuals with diverse communication needs. It offers flexible tools, evidence-based resources, and customizable features that adapt as users' needs evolve.
- Evidence-based AAC resources
- Online community grid sets
- In-app and remote editing
- AI-powered design tools
- Multiple symbol libraries
- Multilingual support
- Pre-built communication resources
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Grid for iPad is a complete Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solution designed for people of all ages and communication needs. It offers a range of resources, flexible communication tools, and options that can be adapted over time. Try it FREE for 30 days - voices included! Key features: ► A range of included content for people who need symbol or text based AAC, including Super Core, Voco Chat, and Text Talker ► Suitable for use with touch access or switches. ► Evidence-based symbol AAC vocabularies, created by experienced speech and language therapists and education professionals, with a focus on vocabulary for communicating within everyday routines and activities. ► Includes SymbolStix, PCS and Widgit symbols – choose the symbol library that is most suitable, to match the symbols already being used in the environment, or to support transition from other AAC systems. ► Voices and grid sets for over 20 languages to support communication in a range of languages. Ideal for multilingual families or classrooms. Why families and professionals choose Grid for iPad for children and adults with communication difficulties: ► In-app editing – Fast, intuitive editing makes it easy to add new words, personalise vocabulary, and adapt layouts to the needs of the individual. ► Remote Editing – SLTs, teachers and families can edit any time, without needing the device in their hands. ► Powerful voice technology – Choose from a range of voices, including the latest AI powered multilingual voices from ElevenLabs, or for those who are able to, record your own voice messages. ► AI Powered Tools - Make use of optional tools to correct typing errors, or support the user to change the tone or wording of their message. ► Talk to your Smart Speaker – Use Grid for iPad to speak instructions to smart home devices, request music, hear the latest news and weather, play games and ask questions. ► Online Grids – Do even more with Grid for iPad by searching and downloading FREE ready-made grid sets created by clinicians, educators, and the Grid community. What’s included: ► Super Core - Evidence-based core vocabulary focused on communication within everyday routines and activities. Designed for supporting AAC learners from single words to building full sentences. Available in 30‑cell and 50‑cell sizes, with simpler 12 and 20 cell learning grids for those just starting out. ►Voco Chat – Designed to enable users to communicate for a wide range of reasons, with supported message pathways and carefully chosen vocabulary, for fast and efficient symbol communication. ► Alpha Core - Offers a range of text-based layouts to support the communication of people with changing physical abilities, with quick access to predictive text and common phrases, alongside a keyboard of your choice. ► Text Talker - Enabling people to say what they want to say in the moment, or prepare and save messages in advance for faster conversations. ►Aphasia Duo - Designed specifically for people with aphasia and their communication partners to support participation in everyday life, including a range of word-finding and conversational supports, and whiteboard for writing and drawing. ► PODD (in-app purchase) - Created by Australian Speech Pathologist Gayle Porter, PODD organises language according to the reason for communication, designed to support spontaneous communication in any situation. ► And MUCH more - Grid for iPad also includes a range of interactive learning activities (just try Dilbert the Dog!), animated communication from Symoji, and educational resources. Simple, flexible pricing: Grid for iPad is available through a monthly subscription with a 30-day FREE trial or as a one-off purchase. You can cancel your subscription at any time. Contact our tech support experts any time at support@thinksmartbox.com For more details on our evidence-based vocabularies, visit the Smartbox Hub.
BITS Lab
This app uses visual biofeedback to help users, particularly children and adolescents, correct speech errors related to the American English 'r' sound. It offers guided practice, adaptive challenges, and progress tracking for effective speech therapy.
- Visual biofeedback for speech correction
- Tutorial for biofeedback interpretation
- Free play mode for 'r' practice
- Adaptive quest mode for increasing difficulty
- Quiz mode for progress tracking
- Visual rewards for improvement
- Clinician dashboard for progress monitoring
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Many children, adolescents, and adults struggle to eliminate speech errors affecting the American English 'r' sound. Research suggests that these errors can in some cases be eliminated through biofeedback, where learners view a dynamic visual image of their speech and attempt to match a target representing correct production. staRt ("Speech Therapist's App for /r/ Treatment") aims to make biofeedback treatment for /r/ widely accessible to practicing speech-language pathologists. Features: - Tutorial explaining how to interpret and use the biofeedback display - "Free play" mode where users match their real-time visual-acoustic display to a target representing correct production of ‘r’ - "Quest" mode presenting syllables/words for 'r' practice; complexity increases or decreases in an adaptive fashion based on recent performance - "Quiz" mode for use in measuring baseline performance and tracking progress - Visual rewards reinforcing improvements in performance - Clinician dashboard tracking progress over the course of treatment
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BITS Lab at none against Grid for iPad's 4. BITS Lab also leads on rating (3.9 vs 3.6) and review sentiment (67% vs 50%). Grid for iPad's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Grid for iPad sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month. BITS Lab asks for nothing beyond the download.
BITS Lab holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Grid for iPad's written reviews are positive against 67% of BITS Lab's.
Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, BITS Lab every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Grid for iPad | BITS Lab |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.6 (18 ratings) | 3.9 (16 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 18 — better | 16 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1.4 GB | 66 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Smartbox Assistive Technology | Tara McAllister |
Customer experience
Grid for iPad
BITS Lab
In-app purchases
Grid for iPad
- Grid for iPad Subscription1 Month trial$10.991 Month
- Metacom Symbol Library$49.99
- PODD for Grid (English)$99.00
- Grid for iPad full licence$299.99
BITS Lab
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Grid for iPad free?
Is BITS Lab free?
Which has better reviews, Grid for iPad or BITS Lab?
Do Grid for iPad or BITS Lab have ads?
Which is updated more often, Grid for iPad or BITS Lab?
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