Best Talking Hands Alternatives in 2026
The top Talking Hands alternatives are BSL SignBank, HandSpeak and SpreadTheSign: 15 sign language apps our editors would look at instead of Talking Hands, in our ranking order.
Talking Hands: A web-based ISL dictionary and video learning portal for introductory lookup and practice. Where it falls short: available on the web only.
Switching from Talking Hands? For most sign language apps buyers the best Talking Hands 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 Talking Hands Alternative
- Available on the web only
- Focuses on Indian Sign Language
- Online classes are separate from the free portal
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 Talking Hands 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 Talking Hands:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 5.2
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 Talking Hands:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 5.2
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 Talking Hands:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 5.2
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 Talking Hands:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 5.2
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 Talking Hands:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 5.2
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 Talking Hands:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 5.2
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 Talking Hands:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 5.2
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 Talking Hands:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 5.2
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 Talking Hands:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 5.2
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
- Better than Talking Hands:
- Editor score 7.3 vs 5.2
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
- Better than Talking Hands:
- Editor score 7.2 vs 5.2
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
- Better than Talking Hands:
- Editor score 7.1 vs 5.2
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
- Better than Talking Hands:
- Editor score 7.0 vs 5.2
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
- Better than Talking Hands:
- Editor score 6.8 vs 5.2
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
- Better than Talking Hands:
- Editor score 6.7 vs 5.2
A structured, gamified ASL app with dictionary tools and retention checks.
- Progress tracking
- Dictionary lookup
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit ASL Bloom
Talking Hands Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Talking Hands?
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 Talking Hands?
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 Talking Hands alternatives?
Available on the web only; Focuses on Indian Sign Language; Online classes are separate from the free portal.
How do I switch from Talking Hands?
Export your data from Talking Hands (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 Talking Hands.
How to Switch from Talking Hands
- Export your data from Talking Hands (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 Talking Hands.
Talking Hands vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Signed languages | Lesson format | Dictionary lookup | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Talking Hands | Yes | Free | Indian Sign Language (ISL) | Video | Yes | 5.2 |
| 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 | Sign ASL | Yes | Free | American Sign Language (ASL) | Video | Yes | 7.5 |
| 9 | New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary | Yes | Free | New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) | Video | Yes | 7.4 |
| 10 | Auslan Wiz | Yes | Auslan (Australian Sign Language) | Mixed | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 11 | ASLdeafined | No | $12/user/yr | American Sign Language (ASL) | Video | Yes | 7.2 |
| 12 | Sign It! ASL | No | American Sign Language (ASL) | Mixed | Yes | 7.1 | |
| 13 | PocketSign | Yes | American Sign Language (ASL) | Video | Yes | 7.0 | |
| 14 | Bright BSL | Yes | British Sign Language (BSL) | Mixed | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 15 | ASL Bloom | Yes | $98.99/yr | American Sign Language (ASL) | Mixed | Yes | 6.7 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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