Review · Learning
Start ASL review
A four-level online ASL course aligned with ACTFL standards, with self-study and instructor-guided options.
By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 8, 2026
- Performance (40%)
- 8.8
- Ease of use (25%)
- 7.8
- Value (35%)
- 7.0
Start ASL is the closest thing on this list to a school ASL program you can take from home. The complete course spans ASL 1, 2, 3 and 4, its curriculum is aligned with the California World Language Standards and ACTFL, and each level ends with a Certificate of Completion. Start ASL says hundreds of schools use its curriculum, and the course features both native Deaf signers and hearing ASL professionals who remember what learning as a hearing person was like. You can try the ASL 1 Trial Course free without a credit card. Self-Study costs $197 a year or $397 for 5-year access, and the Guided option at $67 a month adds rubric grading, video submission review, live online group practice and 1:1 office hours. That makes it pricier than app subscriptions, but it is the strongest choice for a homeschooling teen or an adult who wants accountability.
Who it is for
Teens and adults who want a full high school or college style ASL 1 to 4 course with optional instructor feedback.
Price
Free ASL 1 trial course; Self-Study $197 per year, Self-Study Complete $397 for 5-year access, Guided $67 per month.
$197 /year per student Lower upfront cost.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.
Key features
- Complete ASL 1, 2, 3 and 4 course
- Curriculum aligned with the California World Language Standards and ACTFL
- Certificate of Completion for each level
- Guided option with rubric grading, video submission review and live online group practice
- Virtual 1:1 office hours with an instructor on the Guided plan
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: Free ASL 1 trial course with no credit card
- Strength: Four levels of structured content, like a school sequence
- Strength: Instructor feedback available on the Guided plan
- Weakness: Self-study access is $197 per year, more than the app subscriptions
- Weakness: Guided support costs $67 per month
- Weakness: A web course rather than a quick daily app
Key facts
- Levels: ASL 1 to 4
- Standards: California World Language Standards and ACTFL
- Free trial: ASL 1 Trial Course, no credit card
- Certificate: One per level
- Guided plan: $67 per month per student
Where it ranks
Start ASL is No. 8 in our Best Sign Language Apps verdict.
Alternatives we scored
Visit startasl.com · Questions or corrections: editorial@hearsmart.org