Sign ASL
Sign ASL is a free service for searching and comparing American Sign Language words and phrases.
What Sign ASL is
Sign ASL is a free service for searching and comparing American Sign Language words and phrases. Its library contains more than 40,000 video signs contributed by over 150 signers, and users can search for signs and compare variations. Multiple signs for one word may represent different meanings or regional variations. The service is available on the web and through Android and iOS apps, with video access for mobile learning. The iOS app includes recent and popular signs, looping playback, navigation between alternatives, favorites with offline viewing, dark mode, and offline startup improvements. Neither mobile app requires an account, registration, login, or personal profile. Search terms are sent to Sign ASL servers, where requests are logged anonymously for service improvement. The mobile apps use Google AdMob ads and may process basic device information; Sign ASL says it does not sell personal user data or perform cross-app behavioral tracking. The service is built for learners, teachers, and the Deaf community. Dictionary and word-definition information comes from WordNet by Princeton University.
Good
- Free access to more than 40,000 video signs.
- Signs come from more than 150 contributors.
- Available on web, Android, and iOS.
- iOS favorites support offline viewing.
Watch out
- Search terms are sent to Sign ASL servers.
- Mobile apps include Google AdMob ads.
- Apps may process basic device information.
Who it suits
Sign ASL suits ASL learners, teachers, and members of the Deaf community looking up signs or comparing variations. Its mobile apps provide video access without requiring an account.
Verdict
Sign ASL offers a large video dictionary across web and mobile, with useful variation comparisons. Readers should note the app advertising and server logging of anonymous search requests.
Plans and prices
From Sign ASL's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 40,000+ video signs · 150+ contributing signers · unlimited access |
The facts
Each one read from Sign ASL's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Account requirement
- The iOS and Android apps require no account, registration, login, or personal profile.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Advertising
- The mobile apps use Google AdMob ads, may process basic device information, and state that Sign ASL does not sell personal user data or perform cross-app behavioral tracking.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Analytics
- The website uses Google Analytics and describes the visitor information as anonymous.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Audience
- Sign ASL is built for learners, teachers, and the Deaf community.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Contributors
- The video signs are contributed by more than 150 signers.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Core features
- The service provides quick search, sign variation comparison, and mobile learning access.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Data handling
- App search terms are sent to Sign ASL servers and search requests are logged anonymously for service improvement.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Definitions
- Dictionary and word-definition information comes from WordNet by Princeton University.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Infrastructure
- The service is powered by Cloudflare and AWS Lambda, Lightsail, API Gateway, S3, and RDS.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Purpose
- Sign ASL lets users search and compare thousands of American Sign Language words and phrases.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Sign variation
- Multiple signs for one word can reflect different meanings or regional variations.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Video library
- The site lists more than 40,000 video signs.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Video sources
- Videos come from sources including StartASL, SMARTSign Dictionary, Elemental ASL Concepts, DeafTec, SignSchool, ASL Signbank, and Project CLIMB.checked 30 Sep 2001
The company
- Headquarters
- Northampton, United Kingdomchecked 28 Sep 2001
Where it runs
- iOS features
- The iOS app supports recent and popular signs, looping playback, alternative-sign navigation, favorites with offline viewing, dark mode, and improved offline startup.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Mobile apps
- Sign ASL is available on Android and iOS for searching, comparing, and viewing the site's video signs, with free downloads.checked 30 Sep 2001
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