Comparison

Grid for iPad vs Echo

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

Echo

This communication aid uses auditory scanning for individuals with visual and physical impairments. It offers sound cues and distinct voices for navigation and expression, accessible via switches, gestures, or arrow keys.

Highlights
  • Auditory scanning communication method
  • Sound cues for navigation
  • Separate voices for cues and speech
  • External switch access
  • Swipe gesture control
  • Arrow key navigation
Features
Read full description

Echo is an AAC app designed for those with a visual difficulty and physical difficulty to access communication. Echo is based around the concept of auditory scanning. Auditory scanning is a communication method using sound cues or auditory feedback rather than visual cues. This method is especially valuable for those with a visual impairment who cant access visual based AAC. Echo provides you with two different voices, one for your auditory cues and the another to represent your voice. You can access Echo using the following methods. - Any external switch (or combination of switches) - Swipe Gestures - Arrow Keys We have plans to extend this in the future to allow for more access methods.

Screenshots

Echo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Echo at 5.0 against Grid for iPad's 3.6. Echo also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4). Grid for iPad's advantage is ratings volume (18 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, 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 4 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month. Echo asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Echo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, Echo every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Grid for iPad versus Echo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrid for iPadEcho
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (18 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings18 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.4 GB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmartbox Assistive TechnologyAce Centre

Customer experience

Grid for iPad

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

Echo

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Echo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Grid for iPad free?
Grid for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Echo free?
Echo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Grid for iPad or Echo?
Echo is rated higher. Grid for iPad averages 3.6 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Echo averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Grid for iPad or Echo have ads?
Neither Grid for iPad nor Echo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grid for iPad or Echo?
Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, and Echo every 2 weeks. Most recently, Grid for iPad was updated on September 14, 2026 and Echo on June 1, 2026.

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