Free AAC app for adults: what Speech Assistant gives you without paying

The Speech Assistant Team

October 2026 · 2 min read

Speech Assistant - AAC Pad is a free AAC app for adults who can't speak or find speaking hard, after a stroke, with ALS/MND, or for any other reason. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.

What's free?

• Phrase boards that speak when tapped: Needs, Feelings, Greetings, Questions and more.
• Text-to-speech keyboard with word prediction that learns your words.
• Show: your message full screen for the person opposite.
• Head tracking: choose tiles with small head movements, no touch.
• Draw: a whiteboard for what isn't on the board.
• Read Aloud: one text, read with every word highlighted.
• Listening Mode: five conversations a day with suggested replies.

No account and no trial: just download it.

What does Premium add?

• Your own phrases, photos and recordings.
• Custom layouts and grid sizes.
• Natural voices and unlimited Read Aloud.
• Speech therapy tools and board import/export.

Does it work offline?

• Yes for speaking: tiles and the keyboard use the iPhone's built-in voices.
• Personal Voice (iOS 17+) also works offline.
• Listening Mode and natural voices need a connection.

Who is it for?

• Adults who type well: the keyboard is the fastest route.
• Adults with aphasia: tap ready-made phrases instead of building sentences.
• Limited hand movement: head tracking.

Speech Assistant is a communication tool, not a medical device. A speech-language therapist can help choose the right setup.

Speech Assistant - AAC Pad

Free AAC for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.