Grid3 and Avaz are two AAC applications that offer different services. While Grid3 is suitable for children, Avaz offers a more diverse range of natural voices and a different level of simplicity. They differ in terms of language and motor planning abilities. Some tablet devices are capable of running both applications, while others aren't. On Avaz, pricing is different, and care team coordination is frequently better. There's a lot to see here! Choosing the correct AAC app, autism talker device, and manner of communication in general might be difficult, which is why we've simplified the process for you. See how Avaz stacks up against Grid3 in the chart below.
Avaz |
Grid3 |
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|---|---|---|
| Good for Early Communication |
Avaz can be customized for most learners who have little language skills established.
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Can help early learners but includes an overwhelming set-up process
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| Affordable Pricing |
Offers a 14-day free trial with limited functionality, after which users must choose to subscribe to a monthly ($10 per month), annual ($100 per year) or lifetime plan ($200).
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The app-only is £9.99 per month or £349.99 one-time-payment. But dedicated devices are hundreds of dollars and funding is complicated.
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| Easy to Get Started |
Estimated time: 15 minutes It's easy to get started with the free trial, but it's because there is little customization allowed until fully purchased
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There are different "Grid sets" to choose from, so setup and process is different for each.
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| Behavior Supports |
There is no focus on behavioral skills.
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25 animated activities that help kids learn how to make choices.
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| Multiple Device options |
Available on both iOS and Android devices, but not Windows or any other type of device.
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The app-only download is only available on iPad. However, some of the expensive dedicated devices offered do include options for eye-gaze, switch, touch, and pointing devices.
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| Easy Parent Modeling |
There's a function called Avaz live that allows therapists to remotely connect to the app during teletherapy sessions and model externally on the user's app.
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"Find word" functionality has to be added to the grid set to help guide a path to a word
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| Incentives to practice |
Avaz offers no rewards to users for praciticing language.
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The limited games offered may help children be excited to interact with the talker
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| Natural voices and language availability |
Available in English US, English AU, French, Sinhala, as well as 6 Indian languages: Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu.
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Available in 15 languages.
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| Customer Support |
Avaz does have a customer support number and email, but it is an Indian number, so accessibility is not always ideal for international users.
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Available by phone, website chat, and email, but limited onboarding support
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| Motor Planning |
While Avaz is more about picture communication, there is an option for users to enable the Page-Up and Page-Down keys instead of scrolling for users who learn best through motor planning.
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Each grid is based on the same layout, which helps with motor planning
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| Simplicity of screen |
The screen is color coded and simpler than many AAC apps, the "home" button is very small and the distinction between foldres and words is not clear.
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Depends on the grid chosen. Some are more complicated than others! Deciding which is best can be a bit overwhelming.
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| Affordable dedicated device option |
Avaz does not offer a dedicated device. It is app only.
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Funding a dedicated device includes a 4 step process with lots of paperwork and forms. The device costs are not clear up front.
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| Communication with spelling |
Users can toggle between a keyboard and symbols depending on if they want to create sentences or not.
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Grid3 does have a keyboard functionality that can be added to a grid
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| Built-In Safety and 9-1-1 Calling features |
There is no calling ability offered by Avaz. However, it does have a ‘mistake’ & ‘alert’ button that can alert a caregiver.
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There is no built-in feature for safety.
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| Reminders to Practice |
Reminders to practice are not included with Avaz' software.
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No reminders to practice Grid3 are included in-app.
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| Image and Symbol Quality |
Avaz uses 15,000 pictures from Symbolstix.
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Grid3 uses a variety of symbols: Widgit, PCS, Symbol Stix and Snap Photos
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| Fun Games to Build Skills |
While the Avaz app does not have any built-in games, it does have information on its website about games that can be helpful in motivating and building skills of AAC users.
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Grid3 does offer interactive learning through 25 animated activities.
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| Levels of vocabulary |
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels are included for Avaz's text-based and picture vocabulary.
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While there does not seem to be a simple step-waise vocabulary, Grid3 does offer core word vocabulary that sits next to activity-specific language.
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| Care team access |
Avaz has a unique setting that gives teletherapists access to remote modeling.
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Remote editing can only be done from a Windows computer.
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