Best Sign ASL Alternatives in 2026
The top Sign ASL alternatives are BSL SignBank, HandSpeak and SpreadTheSign: 15 sign language apps our editors would look at instead of Sign ASL, in our ranking order.
Sign ASL: A free ASL reference tool with video lookup, variations, categories, and iOS favorites offline. Where it falls short: focused on dictionary lookup rather than structured lessons.
Switching from Sign ASL? For most sign language apps buyers the best Sign ASL alternative is BSL SignBank, built for free BSL dictionary and reference users. On a budget, HandSpeak starts at $5.95/mo.
Why People Look for a Sign ASL Alternative
- Focused on dictionary lookup rather than structured lessons
- Exercises and progress tracking are not part of the product
- Offline access applies to iOS favorites, not the full dictionary
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallBSL SignBank9.2
Free BSL dictionary and reference users
Visit BSL SignBank - Lowest priceHandSpeak8.8
Paid plans from $5.95/mo
Visit HandSpeak - Best free optionBSL SignBank9.2
Has a free plan
Visit BSL SignBank
All 15 Sign ASL 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 Sign ASL:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.5
A rich, free BSL reference with video search, regional detail and quizzes.
- Dictionary lookup
9.2/10★★★★★Visit BSL SignBank -
Best forASL reference users wanting mature coverage
- Better than Sign ASL:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.5
A broad ASL reference library with free access and optional Patron features.
- Dictionary lookup
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit HandSpeak -
Best forPeople comparing multiple sign languages
- Better than Sign ASL:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.5
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 Sign ASL:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.5
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
- Better than Sign ASL:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.5
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
- Better than Sign ASL:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.5
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 Sign ASL:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 7.5
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 forNZSL learners needing multilingual lookup
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
Sign ASL Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Sign ASL?
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 Sign ASL?
Yes. BSL SignBank, HandSpeak, SpreadTheSign, SignSchool and Play With ASL have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Sign ASL alternatives?
Focused on dictionary lookup rather than structured lessons; Exercises and progress tracking are not part of the product; Offline access applies to iOS favorites, not the full dictionary.
How do I switch from Sign ASL?
Export your data from Sign ASL (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 Sign ASL.
How to Switch from Sign ASL
- Export your data from Sign ASL (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 Sign ASL.
Sign ASL vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Signed languages | Lesson format | Dictionary lookup | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Sign ASL | Yes | Free | American Sign Language (ASL) | Video | Yes | 7.5 |
| 1 | BSL SignBank | Yes | Free | British Sign Language (BSL) | Video | Yes | 9.2 |
| 2 | HandSpeak | Yes | $5.95/mo | ASL | Mixed | Yes | 8.8 |
| 3 | SpreadTheSign | Yes | ASL, BSL, and 21 more sign languages | Video | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 4 | SignSchool | Yes | Free | American Sign Language (ASL) | Mixed | Yes | 7.9 |
| 5 | Play With ASL | Yes | $50/yr | American Sign Language (ASL) | Mixed | 7.8 | |
| 6 | British Sign | Yes | £5 one-time | British Sign Language (BSL) | Mixed | Yes | 7.7 |
| 7 | Sign BSL | Yes | Free | British Sign Language (BSL) | Video | Yes | 7.6 |
| 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
- Sign ASL vs BSL SignBank
- Sign ASL vs HandSpeak
- Sign ASL vs SpreadTheSign
- Sign ASL vs SignSchool
- Sign ASL vs Play With ASL
- Sign ASL vs British Sign
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update