SpectrumView vs Grid for iPad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SpectrumView
This app provides real-time audio analysis with a dynamic spectrogram and spectrum analyzer. Visualize audible and inaudible frequencies, measure tones, get feedback on speech, identify sounds, and calibrate instruments. Access recordings and snapshots easily.
- Real-time spectrogram and spectrum analyzer
- Configurable sample rate and frequency resolution
- Record, pause, and playback audio files
- Generate snapshots of spectrum data
- Web file transfer
- Tap data cursor for precise frequency and level
- Musical notes or frequency display on tap
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SPECTRUMVIEW Visualise, in real time, the frequencies that you can hear around you and even those you cannot with SpectrumView, your dynamic audio companion for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. SpectrumView provides a high-quality, real-time spectrogram and spectrum analyser display, with a configurable sample rate and frequency resolution. You can use this application to measure the highest tones you can sing, obtain visual feedback of the frequencies in your speech, identify an annoying sound, calibrate musical instruments and all sorts of acoustic analysis. Here's what it can do for you: · Refresh Spectrogram. Allows users to refresh the spectrogram so that it clears the spectrogram that had already been displayed. · Change min and max scale. Allows users to set their own minimum and maximum scale value on the spectrogram and spectrum analyser view, in both linear and log scale. · Set Recording filename. Recording filenames are editable and the suffix can be set to have an incremental value or date/time. · Generate snapshot of the spectrum data from playback and live recordings. [IAP] · Access recordings and snapshots using the "Files" app. All the data can be easily accessible using the "Files" app that is available from iOS 11. · Web File Transfer. Allows you to access your files from another device using a web browser. [IAP] · Logarithmic scale. Allows you to set either linear or logarithmic frequency scales in the Spectrogram and Spectrum Analyser views. [IAP] · Peak hold. Allows you to freeze and hold the peaks of the frequency envelope (three holds in three distinct colours) in Spectrum Analyser mode. [IAP] · Save location. Never forget where a clip was recorded – uses the devices location services. · Auto lock disabled. During playback and recordings auto lock is disabled to prevent the device from automatically locking (if enabled), for uninterrupted recording/playback · Multiple selectable sample rates from 8,000 Hz to 48,000 Hz · High-frequency resolution with configurable signal analysis window lengths or Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) orders. · Sound intensity represented using a colour spectrum scale from -96 dBFS to 0 dBFS. · Frequency Pinch-to-Zoom. Allows you to zoom into the frequency space to look at a specific tone or frequency. [IAP] · Recording and Playback of Audio Files. Provides a fully functional audio recorder that allows you to record, pause and play back files in high-quality, uncompressed, wave format. · Tap Data Cursor. Allows taps on any part of the Spectrogram or Spectrum Analyser display to obtain the exact frequency in Hertz (Hz) and level in decibels (dB) at that point. · Musical Notes or Frequency Display on Tap. Selectable frequency or musical pitch notation to obtain the cent-accurate musical note e.g. A4 (22), when the display is tapped. · Live Spectrogram and Spectrum Analyser Views of Recorded Files. Files recorded can be played back and the Spectrogram and Spectrum Analyser modes can be used to review the audio. · Sharing Recorded Files by Email or iTunes File-sharing. · High Quality Screenshots. · *Improved* Soundcloud support. Audio files can be uploaded to or downloaded from Soundcloud as well as being able to post audio to Facebook. [IAP] · Playback from iTunes library. Files can now be analysed directly form the iTunes library. · *NEW* Import audio from videos in your device library. · Fullscreen mode. Hide the menu at the bottom of the screen to get even more of the screen dedicated to frequency analysis. · Selectable spectrogram colour scales. You can now select one of 7 colour scales for your spectrogram. · Selectable window functions. You can now see the window function options provided. · Apply gain. A maximum of 24dB gain can be applied to make ‘hard to see’ details easier to view. · Open In. Audio files can be directly opened in SpectrumView. View files sent by email directly in SpectrumView.
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.
- 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
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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.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Grid for iPad at 3.6 against SpectrumView's 3.1. Grid for iPad also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 10 months). SpectrumView's advantage is review sentiment (63% vs 50%) and ratings volume (74 vs 18). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. SpectrumView sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and Grid for iPad sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Grid for iPad holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 74 and 18 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 63% of SpectrumView's written reviews are positive against 50% of Grid for iPad's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
SpectrumView ships an update every 10 months, Grid for iPad fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SpectrumView | Grid for iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (74 ratings) | 3.6 (18 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 62.8% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 74 — better | 18 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 1.4 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Oxford Wave Research Ltd. | Smartbox Assistive Technology |
Customer experience
SpectrumView
Grid for iPad
Bugs and requests
SpectrumView
Reported bugs
11 issues- App crashes on startup after updates
- Crashes when attempting to zoom on spectrograms
- Crashes when playing files from iTunes library
- Microphone hijacking error messages
- Pinch-to-zoom and pan features not functioning properly
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- App freezes when backgrounded
- Spectrogram resets when rotating device orientation
- Audio plays through speaker instead of headphones
- Blank screen with no display output
- Incompatibility with older iOS versions
- Requires in-app purchase prompts for all features after iCloud restore
Requested features
13 requests- Logarithmic frequency scale for audio analysis
- Adjustable time scale/window for spectrograms
- Ability to analyze audio from music library/iTunes
- Longer-term averaging for spectrum analyzer
- A-weighting frequency selection
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- Batch delete option for recordings
- Real-time audio input from playing songs
- Metadata storage (timestamp, location) in WAV files
- SPL meter functionality
- 3D display option
- Adjustable color range for spectrogram
- Auto-readout of highest amplitude frequency
- Higher frequency range support (above 20kHz)
Grid for iPad
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SpectrumView
- Enable peak hold$0.99
- Access iTunes and SoundCould$0.99
- Generate data snapshot$0.99
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- Enable Log Scale$1.99
- Disable recording length limit$1.99
- Enable pinch to zoom$1.99
- Enable Web File Transfer$1.99
Grid for iPad
- Grid for iPad Subscription1 Month trial$10.991 Month
- Metacom Symbol Library$49.99
- PODD for Grid (English)$99.00
- Grid for iPad full licence$299.99
Questions
Is SpectrumView free?
Is Grid for iPad free?
Which has better reviews, SpectrumView or Grid for iPad?
Do SpectrumView or Grid for iPad have ads?
Which is updated more often, SpectrumView or Grid for iPad?
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