Comparison

Concise ISL vs HeyRua

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Concise ISL

Learn Irish Sign Language with a comprehensive video dictionary featuring around 1000 signs. Explore signs by category, search efficiently, and access offline content. Ideal for learners of all ages.

Highlights
  • 1000+ ISL signs in video format
  • High-quality image support for signs
  • Categorized sign organization
  • Efficient search functionality
  • Offline use after initial download
  • Child-appropriate content
  • Information on ISL history and grammar
Features
Read full description

Concise ISL is an Irish Sign Language (ISL) video dictionary which contains approximately 1000 signs. This mobile app was developed by two young Irish engineers, one of whom is a life-long practitioner of Irish Sign Language, in response to the need for digital resources to support sign language learning in Ireland. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive ISL dictionary system in an easy-to-use form. --------------- Features --------------- Each sign contained within Concise ISL is presented in video form and accompanied by high quality images of the component signs for each hand. All signs can be sorted by category, an organisational approach chosen to support learning. Specific words and categories can be easily found within Concise ISL, using a simple and efficient search interface, swipe gestures, sliding menus and other intuitive interaction mechanisms. This app is designed to be child-appropriate, with the inclusion of a large number of signs in categories such as Animals, Colours, Food, Sports and many others. Through the inclusion of signs such as "texting", "tablet", "facebook" and many more, this ISL dictionary reflects the modern context of the language. Concise ISL currently includes approximately 1000 signs, a figure which we have continuously strived to increase. Concise ISL supports offline use. A data connection is required to download signs for the first time. These videos are then stored on-device for subsequent viewing offline. This approach allows the inclusion of such a large number of signs without imposing the consumption of a significant amount of on-device memory on all users. The video size has been carefully calculated to reduce bandwidth consumption. Concise ISL also includes a number of additional sections containing information concerning the history of ISL, the grammatical structure of the language and more. We hope you enjoy using Concise ISL! Kevin & Micheál

About

HeyRua

This app focuses on building confidence in speaking Irish through practical, everyday conversations. It offers guided speaking practice, pronunciation feedback, and vocabulary building with interactive flashcards. Learn at your own pace and start using Irish from your first lesson.

Highlights
  • Speaking-focused lessons
  • Pronunciation feedback
  • Guided conversations
  • Interactive flashcards
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Practical vocabulary
Read full description

Learn Irish by actually speaking it. HeyRua is an Irish language app designed to help you build confidence through speaking. From your very first lesson, you will listen, repeat, answer questions and practise useful Irish out loud. Stop learning Irish by playing games, and start speaking. Speak Irish from day one Start using Irish immediately with short, practical speaking lessons designed around everyday situations. Improve your pronunciation Listen to clear Irish audio, repeat each phrase and receive feedback to help you speak with greater confidence. Practice real conversations Use what you have learned in guided conversations that help you respond naturally in Irish. Build your vocabulary Review useful words and phrases with interactive flashcards designed to help your Irish stick. Learn at your own pace Complete short lessons, revisit previous topics and gradually build towards longer conversations. Made for Irish learners HeyRua is suitable for: •⁠ ⁠Complete beginners •⁠ ⁠Adults returning to Irish •⁠ ⁠Learners who understand Irish but want to speak more •⁠ ⁠Students looking for extra speaking practice •⁠ ⁠Anyone who wants to use more Gaeilge in everyday life Whether you are starting from scratch or reconnecting with the Irish you already know, HeyRua helps you turn what you understand into what you can actually say. Download HeyRua and start speaking Irish today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Concise ISL4 screens
HeyRua4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HeyRua at Free against Concise ISL's $1.99. HeyRua also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 25 months) and chart position (#143 vs unranked). Concise ISL's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (100% vs 79%). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

HeyRua is free to download; Concise ISL costs $1.99 up front. HeyRua sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Concise ISL asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Concise ISL ships an update every 25 months, HeyRua every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Concise ISL versus HeyRua: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterConcise ISLHeyRua
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating—4.8 (921 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better79.1% of reviews
Number of ratings—921 — better
Update frequencyEvery 25 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank—#143 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB248 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKevin DohertyBeim Digital Limited

Customer experience

Concise ISL

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

HeyRua

All ratings921 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral3.5%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews158 reviews
Positive79.1%
Neutral7.6%
Negative13.3%

In-app purchases

None

Concise ISL

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

HeyRua

Subscriptions3
  • HeyRua Super Monthly7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • HeyRua Super Yearly7 Days trial$89.991 Year
  • Super Family7 Days trial$119.991 Year

Questions

Is Concise ISL free?
Concise ISL costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HeyRua free?
HeyRua is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Concise ISL or HeyRua have ads?
Neither Concise ISL nor HeyRua shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Concise ISL or HeyRua?
Concise ISL ships an update every 25 months, and HeyRua every 4 days. Most recently, Concise ISL was updated on November 2, 2026 and HeyRua on November 10, 2026.

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