Comparison

Grid for iPad vs Lighthouse AAC

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

Lighthouse AAC

This communication app provides a stable and intuitive way for non-speaking children to express themselves using picture buttons and synthesized speech. It prioritizes muscle memory by keeping buttons in place and offers gentle word suggestions. Parents and therapists can customize the experience with personal photos and voices.

Highlights
  • Stable button layout for muscle memory
  • Gentle word suggestions
  • On-device processing for privacy
  • Customizable buttons and voice recording
  • Multi-language support
  • Built with BCBA input
Features
Read full description

Lighthouse AAC is a free, open-source communication app for non-speaking children. It gives a child a simple, reliable way to talk using picture buttons and clear speech on a tablet. It is built on one promise: Augment, Don't Rearrange. The buttons never move and nothing is ever hidden, so a child's muscle memory is always safe. Lighthouse gently highlights words a child is likely to want next with a soft "Golden Glow," based on time of day and recent taps. It suggests; it never insists, and it never rearranges the grid. Why families and educators choose Lighthouse: - Completely free. No ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases. - Works on-device. No account, no sign-in, and nothing your child says or taps ever leaves the device. - A sentence bar lets a child build and replay phrases with natural-sounding speech. - Parents and therapists can add custom buttons and photos, and record a familiar voice, all behind a simple math gate that keeps young children out of the settings. - Available in multiple languages. - Designed with input from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Lighthouse is the flagship product of the Kinder Horizon Foundation, a non-profit society. Our goal is simple: every non-speaking child deserves a voice, free of charge. Lighthouse is a communication tool, not a medical device, and does not provide medical advice or treatment.

Screenshots

Lighthouse AAC3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Lighthouse AAC at 5.0 against Grid for iPad's 3.6. Lighthouse AAC also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and device support (3 vs 1). Grid for iPad's advantage is ratings volume (18 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and iOS requirement 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. Lighthouse AAC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lighthouse AAC 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, Lighthouse AAC every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Grid for iPad versus Lighthouse AAC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrid for iPadLighthouse AAC
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, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.4 GB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmartbox Assistive TechnologyKinder Horizon Foundation

Customer experience

Grid for iPad

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

Lighthouse AAC

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

Lighthouse AAC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Grid for iPad free?
Grid for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lighthouse AAC free?
Lighthouse AAC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Grid for iPad or Lighthouse AAC?
Lighthouse AAC is rated higher. Grid for iPad averages 3.6 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Lighthouse AAC averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Grid for iPad or Lighthouse AAC have ads?
Neither Grid for iPad nor Lighthouse AAC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grid for iPad or Lighthouse AAC?
Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, and Lighthouse AAC every 2 weeks. Most recently, Grid for iPad was updated on October 24, 2026 and Lighthouse AAC on October 7, 2026.

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