PocketSign

Overview

PocketSign teaches American Sign Language through video-based lessons and reference tools. It is best suited to beginners and families who want both structured practice and a dictionary on web or mobile; learners needing more than one lesson a day should expect to pay for unlimited lessons.

Key features

The combination of short lessons, a searchable video dictionary, alphabet and fingerspelling practice, flash cards, and review tools gives learners several ways to study and revisit signs. The dictionary has 10,000+ entries, while the lesson library includes 70+ sets and drills. Videos are paired with descriptions and repeatable practice, which supports learning signs as movement rather than as written labels alone.

The mobile app also includes sign translation, questions, common phrases, baby sign language, and basic phrases. On the web, learners can move among lessons, dictionary, study, grammar, rewards, alphabet, and A–Z sections. Progress tracking gives study a sense of continuity. PocketSign says its content draws on Deaf educators, qualified interpreters, and contributors with university education, a relevant foundation for a learning product.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and includes free ASL lessons, a daily lesson, the video dictionary, and alphabet practice. It is a practical way to try the learning format and use lookup tools, but the daily lesson cap makes it a limited option for regular, intensive study.

Unlimited ASL Lessons (Month) costs $5.99 a month and removes the lesson limit. Unlimited ASL Lessons (Yearly) costs $59.99 a year and includes unlimited lessons, making it the lower-cost annual choice for learners likely to continue. Two other in-app purchase plans are priced at $14.99 a month (Month Subscription H) and $109.99 a year (Unlimited ASL Lessons Yearly h). Both are billed as in-app purchases; their stated inclusions are less clear than the named unlimited plans, so compare the purchase terms before choosing.

Platforms

PocketSign is available on web, iOS, and Android. The iOS app is free with in-app purchases and supports iPhone and iPad. On Google Play, the Android app has 1M+ downloads and a 4.8-star rating from 33.8K reviews. Google Play says the app may collect app activity, encrypts data in transit, shares no data with third parties, and does not allow data deletion. Its privacy policy says it may use Google Play Services and collect log data such as device name, operating-system version, app configuration, usage time, and statistics.

Who it's for

PocketSign fits beginners, families, students, teachers, and anyone who wants to look up and review ASL signs. Its mix of a large dictionary and lessons is particularly useful for learners who want reference and study in one place. It is less suited to someone seeking unrestricted lessons without a subscription or a course in a signed language other than ASL.

Pros and cons

• Pros: 10,000+ dictionary entries and 70+ lesson sets pair broad lookup with structured learning.
• Pros: A free plan includes a daily lesson, dictionary access, and alphabet practice, so learners can begin without paying.
• Pros: Web, iOS, and Android support make the service accessible across browser and mobile use.
• Cons: The free plan limits lessons to one daily lesson, which constrains learners who want to study at their own pace.
• Cons: The 14.99 USD monthly and 109.99 USD yearly in-app plans have less explicit inclusions than the named unlimited lesson plans.
• Cons: Google Play says data cannot be deleted, a drawback for users who want that control over app data.

Alternatives

Compare sign language apps if you want to weigh PocketSign against tools for other audiences and languages. ASL Bloom is worth considering if a free trial and three complete free modules are a better way to assess a course before paying; its Premium 3-month plan costs 48.00 USD. MeLISegno offers free modules and lessons on Android, iOS, and macOS. Pause LSF is another free-start option, with some modules and lessons free, for learners comparing alternatives.

Play With ASL suits learners who prefer games: its free plan includes two packs, Animals and Colors, and all game modes. Sign ASL is a free alternative with 40,000+ video signs, 150+ contributing signers, and unlimited access if dictionary lookup is the priority. Sign BSL offers free unlimited access for those seeking British Sign Language rather than ASL. SignSchool is another free ASL learning resource. SpreadTheSign is an alternative to compare if you want a broader sign-language reference.

Verdict

PocketSign is a sound choice for ASL beginners and families who want lessons, practice, and a substantial video dictionary across web and mobile. Its strongest reason to choose it is the combination of a large lookup library with structured video study. Look elsewhere if you need more than a daily lesson without paying, want a different signed language, or require data deletion.