Best HandSpeak Alternatives in 2026
The top HandSpeak alternatives are BSL SignBank, SpreadTheSign and SignSchool: 15 sign language apps our editors would look at instead of HandSpeak, in our ranking order.
HandSpeak: A broad ASL reference library with free access and optional Patron features. Where it falls short: covers american sign language rather than multiple signed languages.
Switching from HandSpeak? For most sign language apps buyers the best HandSpeak alternative is BSL SignBank, built for free BSL dictionary and reference users.
Why People Look for a HandSpeak Alternative
- Covers American Sign Language rather than multiple signed languages
- Requires an internet connection and does not offer offline access
- Does not provide verified progress tracking
- No offline access — 4 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallBSL SignBank9.2
Free BSL dictionary and reference users
Visit BSL SignBank - Best free optionBSL SignBank9.2
Has a free plan
Visit BSL SignBank - Best for offline accessSignSchool7.9
Offline access (HandSpeak: no)
Visit SignSchool
All 15 HandSpeak Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forFree BSL dictionary and reference users
- Better than HandSpeak:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.8
A rich, free BSL reference with video search, regional detail and quizzes.
- Dictionary lookup
9.2/10★★★★★Visit BSL SignBank -
Best forPeople comparing multiple sign languages
A free-to-start video dictionary for comparing 23 sign languages.
- Dictionary lookup
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit SpreadTheSign -
Best forFree, broad ASL learning across devices
- Better than HandSpeak:
- Offline access
A free, broad ASL learning platform with video lessons, practice, games, and dictionary tools.
- Offline access
- Progress tracking
- Dictionary lookup
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit SignSchool -
Best forClassrooms wanting affordable game-based ASL
A game-based ASL app with free basics and strong classroom tools.
- Progress tracking
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Play With ASL -
Best forLow-cost, self-paced BSL learners
A low-cost, self-paced BSL course with useful practice and progress tools.
- Progress tracking
- Dictionary lookup
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit British Sign -
Best forFree BSL dictionary users needing offline access
- Better than HandSpeak:
- Offline access
A free BSL dictionary with video lookup, variations, vocabulary levels and saved offline signs.
- Offline access
- Dictionary lookup
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Sign BSL -
Best forFree ASL dictionary users needing offline favorites
- Better than HandSpeak:
- Offline access
A free ASL reference tool with video lookup, variations, categories, and iOS favorites offline.
- Offline access
- Dictionary lookup
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Sign ASL -
Best forNZSL learners needing multilingual lookup
- Better than HandSpeak:
- Offline access
A free NZSL reference with multilingual search, visual filters and offline mobile diagrams.
- Offline access
- Dictionary lookup
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forAuslan learners wanting adaptive study
A focused Auslan learning app with adaptive study tools and a free dictionary.
- Progress tracking
- Dictionary lookup
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Auslan Wiz -
Best forSchools needing deep ASL curriculum tools
A deep ASL curriculum platform for schools, with structured lessons and progress tools.
- Progress tracking
- Dictionary lookup
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit ASLdeafined -
Best forComprehensive self-paced ASL courses
A structured, self-paced ASL curriculum with video practice, assessments, and certificates.
- Progress tracking
- Dictionary lookup
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Sign It! ASL -
Best forAffordable structured ASL practice
A structured ASL learning app with lessons, practice tools, and progress tracking.
- Progress tracking
- Dictionary lookup
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit PocketSign -
Best forFree BSL learners wanting structured modules
A free-first BSL learning app with structured modules and practice tools.
- Dictionary lookup
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Bright BSL -
Best forGamified ASL learners wanting retention support
A structured, gamified ASL app with dictionary tools and retention checks.
- Progress tracking
- Dictionary lookup
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit ASL Bloom -
Best forLong-form ASL challenge learners
A free, structured ASL challenge for learners who want daily video lessons and practice.
- Dictionary lookup
6.6/10★★★☆☆Try ASL Interactive
HandSpeak Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to HandSpeak?
BSL SignBank: #1 in our Sign Language Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A rich, free BSL reference with video search, regional detail and quizzes.
Is there a free alternative to HandSpeak?
Yes. BSL SignBank, SpreadTheSign, SignSchool, Play With ASL and British Sign have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for HandSpeak alternatives?
Covers American Sign Language rather than multiple signed languages; Requires an internet connection and does not offer offline access; Does not provide verified progress tracking.
How do I switch from HandSpeak?
Export your data from HandSpeak (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel HandSpeak.
How to Switch from HandSpeak
- Export your data from HandSpeak (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel HandSpeak.
HandSpeak vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Signed languages | Lesson format | Dictionary lookup | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | HandSpeak | Yes | $5.95/mo | ASL | Mixed | Yes | 8.8 |
| 1 | BSL SignBank | Yes | Free | British Sign Language (BSL) | Video | Yes | 9.2 |
| 2 | SpreadTheSign | Yes | ASL, BSL, and 21 more sign languages | Video | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 3 | SignSchool | Yes | Free | American Sign Language (ASL) | Mixed | Yes | 7.9 |
| 4 | Play With ASL | Yes | $50/yr | American Sign Language (ASL) | Mixed | 7.8 | |
| 5 | British Sign | Yes | £5 one-time | British Sign Language (BSL) | Mixed | Yes | 7.7 |
| 6 | Sign BSL | Yes | Free | British Sign Language (BSL) | Video | Yes | 7.6 |
| 7 | Sign ASL | Yes | Free | American Sign Language (ASL) | Video | Yes | 7.5 |
| 8 | New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary | Yes | Free | New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) | Video | Yes | 7.4 |
| 9 | Auslan Wiz | Yes | Auslan (Australian Sign Language) | Mixed | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 10 | ASLdeafined | No | $12/user/yr | American Sign Language (ASL) | Video | Yes | 7.2 |
| 11 | Sign It! ASL | No | American Sign Language (ASL) | Mixed | Yes | 7.1 | |
| 12 | PocketSign | Yes | American Sign Language (ASL) | Video | Yes | 7.0 | |
| 13 | Bright BSL | Yes | British Sign Language (BSL) | Mixed | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 14 | ASL Bloom | Yes | $98.99/yr | American Sign Language (ASL) | Mixed | Yes | 6.7 |
| 15 | ASL Interactive | Yes | Free | American Sign Language (ASL) | Mixed | Yes | 6.6 |
Head-to-Head
- HandSpeak vs BSL SignBank
- HandSpeak vs SpreadTheSign
- HandSpeak vs SignSchool
- HandSpeak vs Play With ASL
- HandSpeak vs British Sign
- HandSpeak vs Sign BSL
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update