ELSB Lite vs Grid for iPad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ELSB Lite
This app provides systematic instruction for print and phonemic awareness, featuring seven levels and ongoing assessments for personalized student progress. Research supports its effectiveness as a literacy program.
- Systematic print and phonemic awareness instruction
- Seven distinct learning levels
- Ongoing student assessments
- Personalized progress tracking
- Research-backed effectiveness
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The Early Literacy Skills Builder app incorporates systematic instruction to teach both print and phonemic awareness. ELSB is a multi-year program with seven distinct levels and ongoing assessments so students progress at their own pace. Note: This free version comes with level 1 - Lesson 1 and Level 5 - lesson 1. Full levels can be purchased from the in-app store. Five years of solid research have been completed through the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, proving ELSB to be a highly effective literacy program and more effective than a sight-word only program. ELSB is based upon the principles of systematic and direct instruction. It incorporates scripted lessons, least-prompt strategies, teachable objectives, built-in lesson repetition, and ongoing assessments. The seven ELSB levels contain five structured lessons each. All students begin at Level 1. Instruction is one-on-one or in small groups. Teach scripted lessons daily in two 30-minute sessions. On the completion of each level, formal assessments are given. ELSB includes everything you need to implement a multi-year literacy curriculum.
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.
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: ELSB Lite at 4.8 against Grid for iPad's 3.6. ELSB Lite also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Grid for iPad's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (18 vs 4). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. ELSB Lite 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.
ELSB Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 18 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 50% and 50% positive.
ELSB Lite ships an update every 2 months, Grid for iPad fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on June 6, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ELSB Lite | Grid for iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (4 ratings) — better | 3.6 (18 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 18 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 236 MB | 1.4 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Attainment Company, Inc. | Smartbox Assistive Technology |
Customer experience
ELSB Lite
Grid for iPad
In-app purchases
ELSB Lite
- Level 1$21.99
- Level 2$21.99
- Level 3$21.99
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- Level 4$21.99
- Level 5$21.99
- Level 6$21.99
- Level 7$21.99
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 ELSB Lite free?
Is Grid for iPad free?
Which has better reviews, ELSB Lite or Grid for iPad?
Do ELSB Lite or Grid for iPad have ads?
Which is updated more often, ELSB Lite or Grid for iPad?
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