Best Sign BSL Alternatives in 2026
The top Sign BSL alternatives are BSL SignBank, HandSpeak and SpreadTheSign: 15 sign language apps our editors would look at instead of Sign BSL, in our ranking order.
Sign BSL: A free BSL dictionary with video lookup, variations, vocabulary levels and saved offline signs. Where it falls short: no published structured learning path or progress tracking.
Switching from Sign BSL? For most sign language apps buyers the best Sign BSL 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 BSL Alternative
- No published structured learning path or progress tracking
- Offline access focuses on saved favourites rather than the full dictionary
- Designed for British Sign Language rather than multiple signed languages
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 BSL 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 BSL:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.6
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 BSL:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.6
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 BSL:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.6
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 BSL:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.6
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 BSL:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.6
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 BSL:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.6
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 ASL dictionary users needing offline favorites
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
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 BSL Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Sign BSL?
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 BSL?
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 BSL alternatives?
No published structured learning path or progress tracking; Offline access focuses on saved favourites rather than the full dictionary; Designed for British Sign Language rather than multiple signed languages.
How do I switch from Sign BSL?
Export your data from Sign BSL (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 BSL.
How to Switch from Sign BSL
- Export your data from Sign BSL (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 BSL.
Sign BSL vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Signed languages | Lesson format | Dictionary lookup | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Sign BSL | Yes | Free | British Sign Language (BSL) | Video | Yes | 7.6 |
| 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 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
- Sign BSL vs BSL SignBank
- Sign BSL vs HandSpeak
- Sign BSL vs SpreadTheSign
- Sign BSL vs SignSchool
- Sign BSL vs Play With ASL
- Sign BSL vs British Sign
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update