Learning sign language is a useful and important skill to have as it helps you communicate with the Deaf and hearing communities.
You can utilize American Sign Language (ASL) to get your message across to those who cannot hear as well as to people who can hear but do not understand your spoken language.
Fortunately, the advent of the internet and mobile apps provide boundless information at your fingertips, making it incredibly easy to learn signing.
Sign language apps offer people an easy and affordable way to pick up this method of communication.
In this table, we’ll compare 13 ASL learning apps to help you find the perfect one for your needs!
Best Apps For Learning ASL
| Rank | Name | Device | Language | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ASL American Sign Language | iOS and Android | American Sign Language | Free, in-app purchases available | Teaching sign languages, ideal for beginners. Features over 4,000 signs and phrases used in regular conversations. |
| 2 | SignSchool | Desktop computer, iOS, and Android | American Sign Language | Free | Offers a wide range of sign topics and dialects in the ASL dictionary. Over 4,500 signs and 200 categories. |
| 3 | The ASL App | iOS and Android | American Sign Language | Free, in-app purchases available | Teaches conversational ASL. Includes over 2,500 commonly used ASL signs and phrases and more than 1,000 video clips. |
| 4 | Lingvano | Desktop computer, iOS, and Android | American Sign Language | Free, in-app purchases available | Offers 10-minute lessons every day. Designed to quickly teach conversational ASL. Comes with a range of unique features and tools. |
| 5 | ASL Dictionary | iOS and Android | American Sign Language | Paid | Has over 5,000 videos that you can download. An excellent choice for users with no access to a stable internet connection. |
Some apps also have a playful user interface and provide ASL vocabulary lessons in the form of fun interactive video quizzes or games, making the learning experience all the more enjoyable.
If you’re on the hunt for the best app to learn sign language on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device, we’ve got you covered.
13 Best Apps to Learn Sign Language
Below is a list of the 13 best apps for sign language that you can immediately download and start learning today.
1. ASL American Sign Language
ASL American Sign Language is a free app for teaching sign languages. It is ideal for beginners who wish to learn sign language, especially the ASL alphabet and numbers 1 to 100.
The app features over 4,000 signs and phrases that are commonly used in regular conversations. This makes it one of the best ASL apps for learning the basics and improving practical convo skills.
ASL American Sign Language also includes a predictive search engine, helping you find the sign that you need quickly.
Additionally, you can test your knowledge and advance in your lessons quickly by using the app’s picture-matching game for letters and numbers.
ASL American Sign Language also includes nursery rhymes, making it great for learning ASL with kids.
Its video clips come with audio, so if you have functional hearing and prefer the lesson videos to have audio, you may enjoy this feature.
However, note that the quality of the videos is not always great. Some videos have music playing in the background, while others have the instructor standing far away from the camera. The app’s basic subscription plan is free. But, you can access extra features with a one-time purchase of $2.99.
Pros:
- Large sign vocabulary
- Predictive search
- Beginner-friendly
Cons:
- Inconsistent video quality
- Occasional background noise
2. Lingvano
- Device: Desktop computer, iOS, and Android
- Language: American Sign Language
- Price: Free, in-app purchases available
Managed by international Deaf and hearing communities, Lingvano is one of the best apps for learning American Sign Language. All the teachers are also deaf and are passionate about teaching sign languages.
The free visual-only app offers 10-minute lessons every day and bite-sized lessons specially designed to teach conversational ASL quickly. The videos feature deaf adults only, which allows users to learn to sign from native speakers themselves.
Lingvano also offers a range of unique features and tools. Its vocabulary trainer, for example, helps you enhance your long-term memory, and its sign mirror feature helps you improve your signing skills by allowing you to see what you’re signing.
The app comes with icons to keep track of when you’re learning a new sign. You also get a searchable ASL dictionary, game-style quizzes, and exercises to work on your practical conversation skills.
The best part about the app is that you can use it across all your devices, including your Android smartphone, iOS device, tablet, desktop computer, or laptop. Plus, you can sync your learning progress with all the devices you use.
Although Lingvano’s free version has extensive features, you need to subscribe to its premium plan to unlock all its components and content. The monthly subscription plan costs $17.99.
You can also sign up for its 3-month or 12-month plans if you prefer paying a lumpsum amount at once.
Lingvano also offers similar sign language apps for those who wish to learn Austrian Sign Language or British Sign Language.
Pros:
- 10-minute daily lessons
- Taught by deaf instructors
- Various learning tools
Cons:
- Premium subscription required for full content
Some users find the gamified approach less effective
3. SignSchool
SignSchool is another free app that is great for learning American Sign Language. It offers many fantastic features and lets you choose from a wide range of sign topics and dialects in the ASL dictionary.
Developed by three friends, one of whom is deaf, the visual-only app has over 4,500 signs and 200 categories. It also helps you build on your learning through multiple-choice games.
SignSchool empowers learners with its unique SignBuilder tool, which randomly quizzes you on signs to help you build your vocabulary in a fun and challenging way.
Plus, with its “Sign of the Day” feature, you can discover a new sign every day! And if you ever need to slow things down, the slow-motion playback option allows you to practice at your own pace.
Best of all, you can access SignSchool on your computer or take it with you on your iOS device.
However, note that certain signs have more than one meaning, and the app does not explain the differences clearly.
Pros:
- Extensive sign dictionary
- Varied topics and dialects
- Free
Cons:
- iOS and desktop only
- Some signs lack clarity on multiple meanings
4. The ASL App
Developed by a deaf-owned and deaf-run company called Ink & Salt, the ASL App was created by bilingual deaf people who speak English and ASL. This visual-only app is specifically designed to teach conversational ASL.
It includes over 2,500 commonly used ASL signs and phrases and more than 1,000 video clips. The ASL App also offers a diverse range of features like ahandy search index, a favorites folder, and a slow-motion option, making learning ASL easy and fun.
Its basic features and tools are free to use. The ASL App boasts value-added offerings known as Sign Bundles, which cost $0.99 each. All bundles have different themes, ranging from colors to pop culture.
You can make a one-time purchase of $9.99 to access all the existing and future bundles of The ASL App.
Pros:
- Focuses on conversational ASL
- Diverse features
- Created by the Deaf community
Cons:
- In-app purchases needed for full access
- Sign bundles may be overwhelming for new users to choose from
5. ASL Dictionary
ASL Dictionary is a terrific app for learning sign language on the go.
This visual-only app has over 5,000 videos that you can download on your iPhone, iPad, or Android smartphone. This makes it an excellent choice for users without access to a stable internet connection and allows them to practice ASL offline, too.
ASL Dictionary also offers other interesting features, including ASL fingerspelling exercises, fun quizzes, a favorites list, and a slow-motion feature.
It also provides a history of the words you played to help you track the signs you’ve already learned. You can also look up specific words easily in the app.
What’s more, the ASL Dictionary has a user-friendly and intuitive interface that
makes it highly easy to use. It’s a paid app with a one-time fee of $4.99.
Pros:
- 5,000+ downloadable videos
- Offline access
- Great for on-the-go
Cons:
- May be too basic for advanced learners
- Paid app
6. Baby Sign Language Dictionary
- Device: iOS
- Language: American Sign Language, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese
- Price: Paid
Baby Sign Language Dictionary is the perfect app for those who wish to learn baby sign language and communicate with their little ones. This paid app comes with 40 video clips that demonstrate real-life signing.
These handy videos can help you and your baby quickly learn ASL, Simplified Chinese, and traditional Chinese.
The app includes detailed video tutorials for each sign. The tutorials are also sorted into categories such as animals, action words, feelings, and daily routines for easy ASL learning.
You can also check out this app’s fun interactive video quiz. It will help you learn and develop basic vocabulary easily and progress in your lessons faster.
The variety of languages available and the easy-to-understand categories make Baby Sign Language Dictionary one of the best iPhone and iPad apps on the market.
Pros:
- Real-life signing videos
- Multiple languages
- Categorized tutorials
Cons:
- Focused on baby signs
- Paid app
- Limited content
7. ACE ASL: Learn Fingerspelling
ACE ASL: Learn Fingerspelling is the first AI-based ASL app that offers quick feedback while you learn to sign. It is designed in collaboration with leading linguists, native ASL speakers, and tech experts.
The app’s smooth user interface focuses on offering an engaging learning process and is tailored to the needs of different users.
The instructor also helps you develop your expressive and receptive skills, preparing you for in-person conversations with a native signer.
You can also use your phone camera to practice the signs and improve your fingerspelling skills. Moreover, you can set practice reminders and take a quiz after each lesson to track your progress.
Additionally, users may experiment with varying difficulty levels and speeds and work their way up from easy to expert mode. The app allows you to use your dominant hand to sign as well.
ACE ASL: Learn Fingerspelling is fun and engaging and helps you learn American Sign Language quickly and easily. This free app provides a seamless and uninterrupted learning experience.
Pros:
- AI-based feedback
- Fun and engaging
- Customizable practice options
Cons:
- Focuses solely on fingerspelling
- Lacks instruction on ASL grammar and sentence structure
8. ASL Fingerspelling Practice
- Device: iOS
- Language: American Sign Language
- Price: Free
ASL Fingerspelling Practice is one of the best iPhone and iPad apps out there for beginners.
The app teaches ASL relating to fingerspelling specifically, essentially working as a practice tool to help users improve their ability to understand fingerspelling.
ASL Fingerspelling Practice also allows you to select word lengths from two or more. You can also choose a slow, medium, fast, or expert speed and even record your answers and get scores.
Pros:
- Free
- Solely focused on fingerspelling
- Customizable practice settings
Cons:
- Limited scope
May not be engaging for all
9. Marlee Signs
- Device: iOS
- Language: American Sign Language
- Price: Free, in-app purchases available
Academy Award-winning deaf actress Marlee Matlin launched the sign language app Marlee Signs for the deaf community.
Through this app, she teaches ASL basics, starting from the ASL alphabet and basic vocabulary and advancing to commonly used phrases and expressions.
language app Marlee Signs for the deaf community.
The app has broken down the lessons into easy-to-understand videos. This enables users to learn ASL at their own pace. The video lessons are also accompanied by fingerspelling exercises for easier and faster learning.
The Marlee Signs app also keeps a record of the completed lessons. It even includes a slow-motion option that enables users to watch the videos in greater detail.
The app is free for iOS users but offers additional lesson packs through in-app purchases, each priced at $1.99.
Pros:
- Taught by Marlee Matlin
- Easy-to-understand videos
Cons:
- Limited content
- In-app purchases
10. Hands-On ASL
- Device: iOS
- Language: American Sign Language
- Price: Free, in-app purchases available
If you want to learn ASL fingerspelling, the Hands-On ASL app might be just what you’re looking for. Its playful user interface focuses on teaching sign languages using 3D model hands rather than images or videos.
This allows you to view signs from every angle.
The visual-only app also enables you to zoom into and rotate the 3D models for easy viewing. Moreover, it teaches the ASL alphabet with fingerspelling exercises and comes with customized skin colors, too.
Hands-On ASL also replaces standard ASL lessons with game-style quizzes, which makes it a unique and fun learning tool for those who wish to learn ASL basics.
The free app version includes ads, which some users may find disruptive. To remove ads and unlock additional features, such as more advanced lessons or customization options, users can make in-app purchases.
Pros:
- Unique 3D model interface
- Customizable skin tones
Cons:
- Free version has ads
Limited sign vocabulary
11. ASL Sign Language Pocket Sign
ASL Sign Language Pocket Sign helps users learn ASL basics through short and fun video lessons, flashcards, and quiz-like exercises.
It also teaches the ASL alphabet and baby sign language. It has a collection of more than 100 videos and around 10,000 ASL dictionary entries.
When you learn a new sign, the ASL Sign Language Pocket Sign app offers a brief description to explain the hand movements of the sign. This helps you learn the correct movements properly and remember them easily.
The app also features commonly used phrases and greetings to help you improve your conversational skills.
Its free version offers lessons every day. You can also access more features of the app by subscribing to its membership plan at $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
Pros:
- Large sign vocabulary
- Short and fun lessons
Cons:
- In-app purchases for full access
- Some videos may be low-quality or outdated
12. ASL Kids – Sign Language
ASL Kids – Sign Language is a great app for teaching signing and the ASL alphabet to deaf children. The app was developed by a couple whose son had hearing loss.
Their goal was to help their son and other kids learn sign language easily. The app is thus designed so that it can easily be used by kids without an adult’s help.
The app uses interactive visual material to speed up the learning process. It also features kids from the ages of 1 to 12 who teach 50 free easy-to-learn signs from the ASL dictionary along with baby sign language.
This encourages young users to imitate their peers and learn even faster.
You may also buy the optional pack to access more than 150 extra signs and increase your child’s ASL knowledge.
Kids can go back to a lesson video and replay it by simply tapping the screen. The large, tappable, and clear images accompanying each hand sign make learning much easier.
The app is easy to navigate through its intuitive interface and a user-friendly menu and buttons.
It also has an audio button that stimulates speech and hearing and helps kids hear how a word is pronounced. It is also free of complex text and includes fun quizzes.
Moreover, ASL Kids – Sign Language does not have any ads or direct links to social networking websites. Parents can also control and monitor in-app purchases. The app also does not require an internet connection, making it perfect for use by kids.
Pros:
- Designed for kids
- Interactive visual material
- No ads
Cons:
- In-app purchases for more
- Limited free signs
13. WeSign Basic
- Device: iOS
- Language: American Sign Language
- Price: Free
WeSign Basic is a fantastic app for families of school-going deaf children. This helpful app teaches ASL specifically for school.
It teaches parents and other family members of deaf children to ask them common questions about homework and other school-related topics.
It also teaches them different answers to those questions, helping them have healthy conversations with their kids.
Its videos feature deaf adults using signing to communicate with deaf children. This gives users a real-life experience of talking to kids who have hearing loss.
Users can switch between two play speed options — normal and slow. The app also provides additional resources for learning just ASL for those who are interested.
Pros:
- Free
- Focuses on school-related signs
- Real-life interaction videos
Cons:
- Limited scope
- iOS only
Are Apps Effective for Learning Sign Language?
Most apps that teach sign languages provide basic signs for standard words and phrases. Such apps can help users learn sign language quickly, even within a few days.
However, more advanced signers may need more advanced signs, which may be lacking in some apps.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has stated that American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language and that the receiver interprets the signer’s facial expressions and body movements to understand the message fully.
Images are often enough to show basic signs such as letters and numbers. However, some signs may require certain gestures to convey their meaning fully.
That is why apps with detailed video tutorials may be better and more effective than a visual-only app that has only images and pictures.
A 2023 study found that teaching mathematical concepts to young students using sign language apps helped them learn faster than old-school learning methods such as boards and flashcards.
This research suggests that apps can be more engaging and motivating than books or websites. This was also true for young deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, as well as parents and caregivers of deaf children.
Another study stated that many younger learners interested in learning sign language prefer studying it via digital formats such as online courses and digital dictionaries. Traditional face-to-face classes were the least favored option by the participants in the study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Duolingo have any plans for an ASL course?
Duolingo doesn’t currently plan to offer an ASL course, as ASL is a signed language that requires visual learning methods beyond its text-based platform.
How long does it take for second language learners to learn ASL?
The time it takes to learn ASL for second language learners varies greatly. Some may achieve basic conversational skills in a few months, while fluency can take several years. Factors such as prior language learning experience, dedication to practice, learning environment, and chosen learning methods (e.g., apps, classes, immersion) all play a significant role in determining the pace of acquisition.
Is ASL harder to learn than Spanish?
The difficulty of learning ASL compared to Spanish depends on the individual learner. ASL is a visual-spatial language with its own grammar and structure, while Spanish is a spoken language with written words and pronunciation.
Some learners may find ASL’s visual nature easier, while others may prefer the auditory aspects of Spanish. Ultimately, both languages present unique challenges, and the “easier” one depends on personal learning style and preferences.
Final Thoughts
Sign language apps are an affordable and effective solution for the deaf community and those with functional hearing to communicate with each other easily.
It enables those with intermediate or even basic knowledge of ASL to convey their message to other ASL speakers without the help of an ASL translator or interpreter.
Such apps also allow users to learn even when they are on the move. They can use ASL apps to quickly look up a word or phrase and not get stuck while having a conversation.
We hope that our handy guide helps you discover the best app to learn sign language and guides you in your ASL learning process.
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