Comparison

Grid for iPad vs Boardmaker 7 Student Center

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

Boardmaker 7 Student Center

Create symbol-supported educational and communication materials for individuals with special needs. Design printable boards, custom books, interactive games, and quizzes to aid communication, behavior, and learning success. Empower educators, therapists, and parents with personalized, life-changing resources.

Highlights
  • Symbol-supported material creation
  • Printable communication boards
  • Custom books
  • Interactive games and quizzes
  • Personalized learning resources
  • Visual supports for communication and behavior
Read full description

Boardmaker 7 is the most powerful tool for creating unlimited symbol-supported educational and communication materials for individuals with special needs. From printable communication boards and custom books to interactive games and quizzes, there are endless options for creating engaging, relevant, and personalized materials in minutes. Symbol-based visual supports have been proven to help people with communication, behavior, and learning challenges succeed in school and life. Boardmaker 7 makes it easy for educators, therapists, and parents to create these materials and use them for life-changing results.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Grid for iPad at 50% against Boardmaker 7 Student Center's 0%. Grid for iPad also leads on rating (3.6 vs 3.0) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months). Boardmaker 7 Student Center's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Grid for iPad sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month. Boardmaker 7 Student Center asks for nothing beyond the download.

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 2, 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 0% of Boardmaker 7 Student Center's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, Boardmaker 7 Student Center every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Grid for iPad versus Boardmaker 7 Student Center: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrid for iPadBoardmaker 7 Student Center
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (18 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings18 — better2
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.4 GB817 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmartbox Assistive TechnologyTobii Dynavox LLC

Customer experience

Grid for iPad

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

Boardmaker 7 Student Center

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Grid for iPad

Subscriptions1
  • Grid for iPad Subscription1 Month trial$10.991 Month
One-time2
  • PODD for Grid (English)$99.00
  • Grid for iPad one-off purchase$299.99
None

Boardmaker 7 Student Center

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Grid for iPad free?
Grid for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Boardmaker 7 Student Center free?
Boardmaker 7 Student Center is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Grid for iPad or Boardmaker 7 Student Center?
Grid for iPad is rated higher. Grid for iPad averages 3.6 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Boardmaker 7 Student Center averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Grid for iPad or Boardmaker 7 Student Center have ads?
Neither Grid for iPad nor Boardmaker 7 Student Center shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grid for iPad or Boardmaker 7 Student Center?
Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, and Boardmaker 7 Student Center every 9 months. Most recently, Grid for iPad was updated on November 2, 2026 and Boardmaker 7 Student Center on November 3, 2026.

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