Comparison

Grid for iPad vs Scanmarker Reader

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

Scanmarker Reader

This app digitizes printed text scanned by a pen-shaped device, aiding individuals with reading difficulties. It offers customizable reading experiences, including live reading, speed adjustment, and word highlighting, to enhance fluency and comprehension.

Highlights
  • Scan printed text to digital format
  • Live reading while scanning
  • Adjustable reading speed
  • Highlighting words as they are read
  • Read aloud with voice adjustment
  • Integrated dictionary for vocabulary building
Features
Read full description

Use your Scanmarker Reader to scan any printed text, and it will appear automatically in the Scanmarker Reader app on your screen. Scanmarker Reader is a pen-shaped assistive tool for those with reading difficulties or learning disabilities. Scanmarker Reader facilitates the learning process, with emphasis placed on learning features that can be adapted according to individual preference, such as reading live while scanning or only reading selected words and parts of the text, adjusting the speed of reading and highlighting the words as it reads aloud. Get ready to become a fluent reader for life! What skills can I improve with Scanmarker Reader? - Enhance oral language skills with the read live feature. - Build up your word recognition by viewing the highlighted words as it is reading. - Improve decoding and phonological processing by reading selected words. - Develop automaticity and fluency skills with the speed read feature. - Improve reading comprehension with the read aloud and voice adjusting option. - Boost your vocabulary knowledge with the integrated Dictionary.

Screenshots

Scanmarker Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Grid for iPad at 50% against Scanmarker Reader's 0%. Grid for iPad also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months) and rating (3.6 vs 3.3). Scanmarker Reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads 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. Scanmarker Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Grid for iPad holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Grid for iPad has 18 ratings behind it against 3, 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 Scanmarker Reader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, Scanmarker Reader every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Grid for iPad versus Scanmarker Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrid for iPadScanmarker Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (18 ratings) — better3.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings18 — better3
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.4 GB70 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmartbox Assistive TechnologyTopscan ltd.

Customer experience

Grid for iPad

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

Scanmarker Reader

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

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
None

Scanmarker Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Grid for iPad free?
Grid for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Scanmarker Reader free?
Scanmarker Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Grid for iPad or Scanmarker Reader?
Grid for iPad is rated higher. Grid for iPad averages 3.6 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Scanmarker Reader averages 3.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Grid for iPad or Scanmarker Reader have ads?
Neither Grid for iPad nor Scanmarker Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grid for iPad or Scanmarker Reader?
Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, and Scanmarker Reader every 5 months. Most recently, Grid for iPad was updated on September 14, 2026 and Scanmarker Reader on September 8, 2026.

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