# First Words vs Lingvano

The clearest difference is price: Lingvano at Free against First Words's $19.00. Lingvano also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (121K vs 1). First Words's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 21) and review sentiment (100% vs 66%). On rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Lingvano is free to download; First Words costs $19.00 up front. Lingvano sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month. First Words asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for First Words against 4.9 for Lingvano. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lingvano has 121K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of First Words's written reviews are positive against 66% of Lingvano's.

First Words ships an update every 8 months, Lingvano fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | First Words | Lingvano |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.00 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-words-talkable/id1285182049/reviews)** | [4.9 (121K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lingvano-learn-sign-language/id1547252782/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **121K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 65.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#23** |
| Size | 25 MB | 115 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Karen Nitsche](https://appshunter.io/developer/1285182048) | [Lingvano GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1547252784) |

## What reviewers say

### First Words

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-words-talkable/id1285182049)

This app offers a ten-week program to support your baby's language development from infancy to toddlerhood. It provides weekly videos, baby sign language, and engaging activities to help nurture first words and communication skills.

**Highlights:** Ten-week language development program, Weekly video tutorials, Baby sign language (40 key signs), Interactive book-sharing sessions, Hands-on, playful activities, Book recommendations for language learning, Progress tracking for first words

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Lingvano

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lingvano-learn-sign-language/id1547252782)

**Currently charting:** #23 Top Free · Education, #26 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

Learn American Sign Language with bite-sized video lessons from Deaf teachers. Practice vocabulary, grammar, and conversations with interactive tools and earn rewards. Become conversational in just 10 minutes a day.

**Highlights:** Bite-sized video lessons, 600+ lessons on vocabulary and grammar, Interactive practice tools, Real-life dialogue lessons, Progress tracking and quizzes, Rewards and streaks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ASL Premium monthly | $17.99 | per month |
| ASL Premium monthly | $17.99 | per month |
| Lingvano Premium monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Lingvano BSL Premium monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| ASL Premium quarterly | $47.99 | per 3 months |
| ASL Premium quarterly | $47.99 | per 3 months |
| Lingvano Premium quarterly | $53.99 | per 3 months |
| Lingvano Premium yearly | $119.99 | per year |
| ASL Premium yearly | $119.99 | per year |
| ASL Premium yearly | $119.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to learn
- 👍 Engaging lessons
- 👍 Clear sign demonstrations
- 👍 Helpful for communicating with deaf/hard of hearing
- 👍 Useful for work/personal life

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Limited free content
- 🐛 Video/picture issues
- 🐛 Buggy app performance
- 💡 Lack of proficiency test

**Reported bugs**

- Lessons not saving progress
- Videos not loading
- Incorrect answers marked wrong

**Requested features**

- More free lessons and features
- Ability to track progress and revisit past lessons
- Option to choose instructor/signer
- Landscape mode for tablets
- Feedback/reporting mechanism for errors


## Frequently asked questions

### Is First Words free?

First Words costs $19.00, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Lingvano free?

Lingvano is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, First Words or Lingvano?

First Words is rated higher. First Words averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Lingvano averages 4.9 from 121K ratings.

### Do First Words or Lingvano have ads?

Neither First Words nor Lingvano shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, First Words or Lingvano?

First Words ships an update every 8 months, and Lingvano fortnightly. Most recently, First Words was updated on October 29, 2026 and Lingvano on November 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*