Side by side
BSL SignBank vs New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary
Both stand on sign language apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Web
Choose BSL SignBank to look up BSL signs with video, explore regional variants, or use its fingerspelling and quiz resources. Researchers can register to request advanced search features. Learners seeking a complete course should pair it with interaction with BSL users and/or a course.
Visit BSL SignBank Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb
New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary is a focused, free NZSL reference with video lookup across web and mobile. Its single-language scope is the main boundary to consider.
Visit New Zealand Sign Language DictionaryThe facts
| BSL SignBank | New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Web | Android, iPhone, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Not published |
| Plans published | 1 | None |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | bslsignbank.ucl.ac.uk | nzsl.nz |
| On sign language apps | #13 of 33 | #28 of 33 |
BSL SignBank: what it does well
- Free access to a BSL dictionary and lexical database.
- Search by English keyword or browse alphabetically.
- Browse signs by handshape and/or location.
- Video clips show how signs look.
- Fingerspelling playback offers slow, medium and fast speeds.
What to know first
- No BSL-to-English search function.
- The corpus covers eight UK locations; other areas may be absent.
- Entries show signs without mouthing or particular facial expressions.
- The site is not intended as a stand-alone language-learning tool.
New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary: what it does well
- Free NZSL dictionary resource
- Video lesson format
- Web, Android, and iOS availability
- Offline access supported
- Founded in 2011
What to know first
- Covers New Zealand Sign Language only
- No paid-plan details are listed
Alternatives to BSL SignBank Alternatives to New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary The whole list