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SpreadTheSign
What SpreadTheSign is
SpreadTheSign is a multilingual sign language dictionary built around video lookup. It offers more than 600,000 sign videos across 23 sign languages, including ASL and BSL. Users can search for words and sentence examples, compare how a word is expressed in different languages, and slow videos to follow signing movements. Favorites let users save signs, while hand alphabets and fingerspelling provide additional reference tools. Baby signs are included as well.
The dictionary is available on the web and as Android and iOS apps. The maker describes it as a reference for sign language learners, families, educators, interpreters, and people who need to look up a sign quickly. New words, videos, and language coverage are added regularly, though available content can vary by language. Google Play lists the developer-provided data safety disclosure as no data collected and no data shared with third parties. The iOS app is listed as free with in-app purchases, including a Pro Version.
Who it suits
SpreadTheSign suits learners, families, educators, and interpreters who need a video-based sign reference. It may also help anyone who wants to check a sign or compare expressions across languages.
What it does well
- More than 600,000 videos across 23 sign languages.
- Searches words and sentence examples.
- Videos can be slowed down.
- Favorites save signs for later.
- Available on web, Android, and iOS.
What to know first
- Content availability varies by language.
- iOS app has in-app purchases.
- Pro Version is listed at €599, paid once.
Limits
A free plan is available. The maker says content availability can vary by language; the iOS app listing includes a Pro Version in-app purchase for €599, paid once.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | iOS app listed as free · in-app purchases available | Free |
| Free web access | Private-user viewing · browser dictionary access | Free |
| Pro Version | one-time in-app purchase · Premium sentence search · profanity and slang sections · additional hand alphabets · slow playback · baby signs | $5.99, paid once |
As spreadthesign.com lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://www.spreadthesign.com/ or get the app on iOS or Android.
- Search for a word or sentence example.
- Slow the video to follow the signing movements, or compare the word across languages.
- Save signs to favorites for later reference.
- On iOS, the app is free with in-app purchases; the Pro Version is listed for €599, paid once.
Verdict
SpreadTheSign brings search, comparison, and video controls together in a broad multilingual dictionary. Check whether the content you need is available in your language.
Questions
Is SpreadTheSign free?
Yes. A free plan is listed, and the iOS app is listed as free with in-app purchases.
Which platforms are supported?
SpreadTheSign is available on the web, iOS, and Android.
How many sign languages does it cover?
It lists 23 sign languages, including ASL and BSL. Content availability may vary by language.
Who makes the app?
The developer is Europeiskt Teckenspråkcenter, identified by Google Play with an address in Örebro, Sweden.
Is there a paid option?
The iOS app listing includes a Pro Version in-app purchase priced at €599, paid once.
What does the dictionary include besides sign videos?
It includes word and sentence-example search, language comparison, slow playback, favorites, hand alphabets, fingerspelling, and baby signs.
Facts from SpreadTheSign's own pages
- Alphabet tools
- The app includes hand alphabets and fingerspelling. · play.google.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Android distribution
- The Android app has exceeded one million downloads according to AppBrain. · appbrain.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Apple privacy disclosure
- Apple lists identifiers, usage data and diagnostics as potentially collected but not linked to the user. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The maker describes it as a reference for sign language learners, families, educators, interpreters, and people who need to look up a sign quickly. · play.google.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Baby signs
- A dedicated baby-sign section is included. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Commercial licensing
- Private users can view the site free, while researchers, developers, universities and companies must purchase a licence. · signlanguage.eu, 15 Oct 2026
- Company activity
- The centre says it has documented more than 500,000 sign-language words and works in more than 40 countries. · signlanguage.eu, 15 Oct 2026
- Company type
- European Sign Language Centre is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Örebro, Sweden. · signlanguage.eu, 15 Oct 2026
- Compare languages
- Users can compare how the same word is expressed across different sign languages. · play.google.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Coverage limit
- The maker says new words, videos, and language coverage are added regularly, and that content availability may vary by language. · play.google.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Cross-language comparison
- A searched word can be compared across different sign languages. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The independent language-resource catalogue lists language inventories, word/sign-pair counts, linguistic fields, licence information and access method. · sign-lang.uni-hamburg.de, 15 Oct 2026
- Favorites and offline
- Users can save signs as favorites and watch saved videos offline in the iOS app. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Fingerspelling
- The product includes hand alphabets and fingerspelling practice. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Founder and origin
- SpreadTheSign began in 2006 as a Swedish project by teacher Thomas Lydell, initially funded through the European Commission Leonardo programme. · signlanguage.eu, 15 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Örebro, Sweden · spreadthesign.com, 28 Sept 2026
- iOS requirements
- The iOS app requires iOS 13 or later; its Mac version requires macOS 11 or later with an Apple M1 chip or newer. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Language coverage
- The app supports 23 sign languages, including BSL, ASL and LSE. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Licence restriction
- The dataset reference says videos and data cannot be downloaded or used, including for research, without explicit permission. · sign-lang.uni-hamburg.de, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: coverage gaps
- Reviewers mention missing regional vocabulary and request additional sign languages such as Afghan Sign Language. · justuseapp.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: paywall
- Reviewers complain that many functions require the paid version and that the premium purchase adds less value than expected. · play.google.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: reliability
- Users report loading errors, videos that fail to play, freezes and crashes on both app and website. · mwm.ai, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: usability
- A review says beginners may struggle because videos can be too fast and the interface requires typing a letter or word to browse. · mwm.ai, 15 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Google Play identifies the developer as Europeiskt Teckenspråkcenter and lists its address in Örebro, Sweden. · play.google.com, 5 Oct 2026
Where SpreadTheSign stands on Freedom251
- Sign Language Apps#21 of 34