Comparison

Grid for iPad vs Splingo for Schools

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 a wide range of symbol sets, customizable layouts, and AI-powered tools to facilitate clear and personalized communication.

Highlights
  • Evidence-based AAC resources
  • Online Grids for community content
  • In-app and Remote Editing
  • AI-powered tools
  • Multiple symbol sets (SymbolStix, PCS, Widgit)
  • Multilingual support
  • Pre-built communication tools (Super Core, Alpha Core, Text Talker)
Read full description

This version can be purchased under the Apple VPP service as well as on the App Store. Free 30 day trial available with the Grid for iPad - AAC version. Search 'Grid for iPad' in the App Store. 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. Contact our tech support experts any time at support@thinksmartbox.com For more details on our evidence-based vocabularies, visit the Smartbox Hub.

About

Splingo for Schools

Features
Read full description

Speech and Language apps for children Designed by Speech and Language Therapists / Pathologists, Splingo is a suite of fun and engaging educational games to help your students develop their speech and language skills, specially designed to target different areas of language development. - Fun and interactive gameplay with an emphasis on learning - Bright, colorful images and animations - In-built reward games to engage and motivate - Recommended by Speech and Language Therapists / Pathologists Splingo games target all these areas of language development: - Following Directions / Receptive Language - Actions / verbs - Pronouns - Early Words development - Past Tense - Categories - Adjectives / Describing Words - Language Assessment Splingo also includes a professional Language Assessment tool designed to assess your students' receptive language skills. As Speech and Language Therapists / Pathologists with over 40 years experience we know what it takes to support children’s speech and language development. We’ve designed Splingo to be fun and educational by using bright, colorful images and animations. Splingo games can be customized to target specific language skill areas so you can be certain that your students are playing the right games at the right level. We’ve added high-quality, in-built reward games to motivate children to keep on learning. Splingo games also have an option to choose between US voice and UK voice. Children love playing Splingo and parents, professionals and teachers tell us it's an app that children ask for over and over again – they’re having fun whilst they’re learning! Used for over a decade by Speech and Language Therapists all over the world, Splingo is the go-to app for developing children’s language skills. **Frequently listed as a Top 10 Speech and Language App (Speech Sisters; District Speech; Therapy Tree; The Sped Guru; TechBooky)**

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Splingo for Schools at $39.99 against Grid for iPad's $299.99. Splingo for Schools also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Grid for iPad's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On 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

Grid for iPad costs $299.99 and Splingo for Schools $39.99 up front. Grid for iPad sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Splingo for Schools asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, Splingo for Schools every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Grid for iPad versus Splingo for Schools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrid for iPadSplingo for Schools
Price$299.99$39.99 — better
Rating2.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.4 GB806 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmartbox Assistive TechnologySplingo Ltd

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Grid for iPad

One-time2
  • Metacom Symbol Library$49.99
  • PODD for Grid (English)$99.00
None

Splingo for Schools

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Grid for iPad free?
Grid for iPad costs $299.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Splingo for Schools free?
Splingo for Schools costs $39.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Grid for iPad or Splingo for Schools have ads?
Neither Grid for iPad nor Splingo for Schools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grid for iPad or Splingo for Schools?
Grid for iPad ships an update fortnightly, and Splingo for Schools every 3 months. Most recently, Grid for iPad was updated on October 24, 2026 and Splingo for Schools on October 9, 2026.

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