Best AAC Apps for Adults

For adults who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, finding the right app can make a huge difference in daily communication. Whether you're an autistic adult, someone with aphasia, or have another condition like ALS or Parkinson's that affects speech, the right AAC app should be intuitive, efficient, and adaptable to your needs. This article highlights some of the best AAC apps for adults so you can find the one that best suits you.

What are the best AAC apps for adults?

Spoken - Tap to Talk AAC

Spoken AAC app, shown on a smartphone and tablet.

Availability: Android, iOS, and Mac
Price: Free (with optional premium upgrade for $12.99/month, $99.99/year, or $249.99 for life)

Spoken is a next-generation AAC app that moves beyond traditional communication boards. Instead of limiting you to preset words, Spoken uses advanced predictive text to help you build sentences quickly using virtually limitless vocabulary. The more you use the app, the better and more personalized the predictions become. All of this makes it a great AAC app for adults, who need to be able to discuss a large variety of topics.

Why Spoken Stands Out

  • Designed for you: Spoken is one of the only AAC apps specifically created for adults, reflected by its design and function.
  • Smart predictions: The app learns from the way you talk and makes word suggestions that fit your communication style.
  • Context-aware vocabulary: Spoken can adapt to your location (like at a restaurant or hospital) to provide more relevant word suggestions, allowing for faster and smoother communication.
  • Multiple input options: Type, tap, handwrite, or even draw to communicate. Spoken can understand all of these inputs and convert them directly into speech!
  • Natural-sounding voices: You can choose from a large selection of customizable, high-quality voices.
  • Attention button: Spoken has an easily accessible button that lets you quickly signal for help or get someone's attention.

We strongly suggest Spoken to adults in need of AAC. It is easy to use but powerful enough to work for any conversation, making it an ideal choice for adults trying to regain independence. If you require stronger support at the expense of flexibility in communication, the rest of the options on this list may better suit your needs. Otherwise, Spoken is the best app for anyone seeking freedom and effectiveness in their AAC communication.

Proloquo2Go

Availability: iOS only
Price: $249.99 with additional in-app purchases

Proloquo2Go is one of the most well-known AAC apps, designed to support a wide range of communication needs. It uses a traditional, symbol-based system — good if you need stronger support.

Why Proloquo2Go Stands Out

  • Extremely customizable: General appearance, grid size, and vocabulary can be edited to match age, skill level, and personal preference.
  • Large symbol set: The app boasts a library of over 27,000 unique symbols to help with recognition. You can also add your own photos to buttons in place of symbols.
  • Language options: Proloquo2Go is offered in English, Spanish, French, and Dutch. It even supports bilingual use.
  • Versatility: Works well for both beginners and experienced AAC users.

While Proloquo2Go is feature-rich, it requires some setup and learning. Otherwise it's a good choice for adults looking for symbol-based AAC.

TouchChat HD

Availability: iOS only
Price: $149.99 with additional in-app purchases

TouchChat HD is another widely used AAC app that allows for both symbol and text-based communication. Some of its vocabulary sets are clearly designed with children in mind, but others include words and phrases for adult needs, such as managing finances or handling daily responsibilities.

Why TouchChat Stands Out

  • Multiple vocabulary sets: Choose a default vocabulary set based on your specific needs or create your own.
  • Transfer between devices: Your vocabulary files can easily be exported or imported if you want to use them across multiple devices.
  • Word prediction: Though not as advanced as Spoken AAC's word prediction, TouchChat does offer a limited number of basic next-word suggestions.
  • Alternative access methods: Users with motor impairments can use TouchChat with switch controls or integrated head tracking.

TouchChat is similar to Proloquo2Go in that you'll need to take some time to learn how to use it. If the premade vocabulary sets don't have the words you need, you will also have to spend time customizing them. Once you've adjusted it to your liking, it can be a powerful tool.

Grid for iPad

Availability: iPad exclusive
Price: $10.99/month or $299.99 for life with additional in-app purchases

Grid for iPad is an AAC app that supports both text-based and symbol-based communication. It is designed to be user-friendly while offering advanced customization options.

Why Grid Stands Out

  • Message banking: Store recordings of your own voice for later use.
  • Amazon Echo control: Uniquely, you can use Grid to give commands to your Amazon Echo devices using a specialized board that lets you request music, ask for the weather, and more.
  • Get grids online: Visit the Resource Store to find free, downloaded grids created by clinicians and other Grid for iPad users.
  • Language options: Grid is available in over 20 languages, the most of any app on this list.

Grid is another decent choice for adult AAC users. Unfortunately, it is exclusive to iPad, meaning you can't use it on your iPhone or any Android devices. This also limits its portability since a tablet is a bit inconvenient to take with you to the store or a restaurant. However, you may find that Grid is easier to get set up with your needed vocabulary than certain other AAC apps thanks to the abundance of premade grids available on the Resource Store.

Choosing the Right AAC App

The best AAC app for you depends on your communication needs, preferences, and how much customization you want. If you're looking for greater flexibility in your communication, Spoken is the best choice. If you prefer a structured communication board, Proloquo2Go or Grid for iPad might work better.

If you plan to look into other AAC options outside of this list, there are several things you should consider.

What to Consider

  • Suitability for adults: Is the app made with adults in mind, or was it created for children?
  • Level of support: Can you use something with the flexibility of a tool like Spoken, or do you need something more structured like a board-based app such as Proloquo2Go?
  • Compatibility: Will it work on the device(s) you own, or is it specific to a certain platform?

Finding the right AAC app can greatly improve communication, independence, and quality of life. If you're unsure which app is right for you, try a few on this list and see which one fits your needs best!