Comparison

Grid for iPad vs SAILS

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

SAILS

This app helps children improve their speech clarity by listening to and identifying correctly articulated sounds. It offers interactive modules based on scientific research, showing accelerated progress in speech therapy when used alongside traditional programs. Available in multiple English dialects and French, with a free introductory module.

Highlights
  • Auditory discrimination of speech sounds
  • Interactive learning modules
  • Research-backed progress acceleration
  • Multiple language dialects
  • Free introductory module
Features
Read full description

The Speech Assessment and Interactive Learning System (SAILS) is an app-based tool for presenting children with recordings of other children's speech. The recordings represent children's efforts to perceive difficult sounds, some articulated correctly, some misarticulated. The child's task is to determine if each auditory stimulus is a correctly articulated variant of the target word. Four published studies have shown that a child's rate of progress in speech therapy will be double the usual rate if the program is included as part of a typical speech therapy program. SAILS is available in North-American English (8 speech sounds can be tested and trained across 21 modules) and Australian English (5 speech sounds can be tested and trained across 10 modules). You can try SAILS with the CAT module that is free in each language. One module (GRIS) is available for free in French. Project initiated and directed by Susan Rvachew Software development by Alexandre Herbay Australian speech sounds development by Stephanie Hearnshaw More information at www.dialspeech.com

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Grid for iPad at 3.6 against SAILS's 3.0. Grid for iPad also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months) and review sentiment (50% vs 33%). SAILS's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Grid for iPad sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month and SAILS sells 22 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Grid for iPad holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Grid for iPad has 18 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Grid for iPad's written reviews are positive against 33% of SAILS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, SAILS every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Grid for iPad versus SAILS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrid for iPadSAILS
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (18 ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings18 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.4 GB89 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmartbox Assistive TechnologySusan Rvachew

Customer experience

Grid for iPad

All ratings18 ratings
Positive61.1%
Neutral5.6%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

SAILS

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Grid for iPad

Subscriptions1
  • Grid for iPad Subscription1 Month trial$10.991 Month
One-time3
  • Metacom Symbol Library$49.99
  • PODD for Grid (English)$99.00
  • Grid for iPad full licence$299.99
22 purchases

SAILS

One-time22
  • NAE - Sound K - Word CATFree
  • Français(Qc)- Son R - Mot GRISFree
  • NAE - Sound L - Word LAKE$1.99
Show 19 more
  • NAE - Sound R - Word RAT$1.99
  • NAE - Sound R - Word ROPE$1.99
  • NAE - Sound R - Word DOOR$1.99
  • NAE - Sound S - Word SOAP$1.99
  • NAE - Sound S - Word SUE$1.99
  • NAE - Sound S - Word BUS$1.99
  • NAE - Sound K - Word COAT$1.99
  • NAE - Sound SH - Word SHOE$1.99
  • NAE - Sound CH - Word CHIN$1.99
  • NAE - Sound L - Word LAMB$1.99
  • NAE - Sound K - Word BOOK$1.99
  • NAE - Sound TH - Word THUMB$1.99
  • NAE - Sound L - Word NAIL$1.99
  • NAE - Sound CH - Word CHAIN$1.99
  • NAE - Sound SH - Word SHEET$1.99
  • NAE - Sound TH - Word THIN$1.99
  • NAE - Sound F - Word FAT$1.99
  • NAE - Sound F - Word FEET$1.99
  • NAE - Sound F - Word KNIFE$1.99

Questions

Is Grid for iPad free?
Grid for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SAILS free?
SAILS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Grid for iPad or SAILS?
Grid for iPad is rated higher. Grid for iPad averages 3.6 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while SAILS averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Grid for iPad or SAILS have ads?
Neither Grid for iPad nor SAILS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grid for iPad or SAILS?
Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, and SAILS every 5 months. Most recently, Grid for iPad was updated on October 1, 2026 and SAILS on September 30, 2026.

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