Best Bible Apps (2026)
Chrissie installed 5 apps on iOS, used each one, and scored them against the same rubric.
Tested hands-on by Chrissie Ankerberg·Updated September 2026·5 apps compared
The ranking
Scored by hand on one public rubric. Select an app to read its review.
The reviewer
We paid for the review, not the result
Chrissie AnkerbergChicago, Illinois · tested on iOS
“Olive Tree has a good dictionary and cross referencing.”
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Chrissie Ankerberg is a wife, mother of three, and member of Cityview Community Church in Illinois. She enjoys writing as one of the best ways to work the gospel into her own heart.
ESV is great for listening to scripture and with a plan.
YouVersion and Bible Gateway are also good for audio Bibles and general scripture. Great free resource.
BLB is a robust study Bible, but not the easiest to use if you just need daily Bible reading.
New to BibleESV Bible
Church or familyYouVersion
Worth paying forESV Bible
The one to skipOlive Tree
App reviews
In ranked order
“The Bible app is great for everyday Bible reading and listening. The audio function is perfect for Bible listening on the go. It’s not necessarily for people who are looking for all of the studying functions.”
✓ Would keep using Design 10/10
+YouVersion has a lot of functionality for a free app. The tools are relatively easy to find and not overly complicated
–Unlike the ESV app, the audio Bible is limited to reading straight through scripture.
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On the designIt’s simple and clean and easy to navigate. It doesn’t try to be everything.
What you get freeEverything I tried
Translations / versions88
Audio Bible, who powers itThere are several different providers. I was in the NIV translation, which was powered by The Listener’s Bible. The ESV is powered by Crossway. NLT by Tyndale and more.
AdsI didn’t notice paid for ads, just ads for other content and recognition of providers/collaborators (ex. The Bible Project)
PlatformsWorks on iPhone and Android and is available offline. The listening function, from my previous experience, needs to be downloaded first to work offline.
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“This is a great app for basic Bible reading and listening in multiple languages and translations. There are many upgrade options to purchase.”
✓ Would keep using Design 8/10
+It’s free and has all of the basic functions you might want out of a Bible app.
–You need to pay to access more of the resources and commentaries.
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On the designIt’s crisp and easy to navigate. I have not viewed it on a tablet, but I see that the tablet has more functionality for things like cross referencing.
What you get freeThe Bible and its translations and languages and note functions worked without paying.
Did a paywall hit?It did not try to charge me, but presented the upgrades.
Translations / versions200+
Audio Bible, who powers itYes, I saw 3 versions by Crossway - Max McLean, George Sarris and one other.
PlatformsI used it from my iPhone and I know it has a desktop function also.
PriceFree to use the Bible in all of its translations, languages and note taking functions. Monthly subscription would add more functionality.
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84/100hands-on score
“This is a great app especially for anyone interested in audio Bible plans. If you’re most interested in comparing and contrasting translations next to each other, this probably isn’t the best app… at least if you’re not a paying subscriber.”
✓ Would keep using Design 10/10
+It’s a beautiful design and very easy and intuitive to navigate. Highly respected teachers who contribute content and a variety of reading plans that include the audio function.
–Translations are limited and require a subscription.
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On the designHands down the most beautiful Bible app I have seen!
What you get freeThe Bible and several audio and written plans were available that curated Scripture based on themes and interests.
Did a paywall hit?You were prompted to get a subscription to unlock many more features.
Translations / versionsOther than the ESV, you can access the global study Bible. Other translations are available through a library that requires subscription
LanguagesI could only find English
Audio Bible, who powers itYes, across multiple reading plans that span various topics. You can also, with a subscription, access various voices.
PlatformsI accessed through an iPhone. It says it’s accessible on Android and web also.
PriceNothing for basic access
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“The more you search and explore this app, the more you see that it offers. There is an extensive commentary library that provides sermons to elaborate highlighted scripture, the ability to see translations side by side and more. It requires patience though, because it’s not very easy to navigate at first. I think that’s because it can do so much.”
✓ Would keep using Design 7/10
+It offers a lot for people who want to study scripture.
–This Bible takes time to get used to.
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On the designIt takes some time to get used to and I find that it’s easy to “lose” where you are or some of the functions (audio stop/start) easily disappear and are hard to get back
What you get freeEverything was available without pay
Did a paywall hit?I was not prompted to pay for anything. If you search, you can find a place to donate, but that’s it.
Translations / versionsOver 30 available offline and two more available online.
LanguagesTranslations are available, from what I can tell, when you highlight text and then click to translate.
Audio Bible, who powers itCouldn’t tell, but the NIV definitely has an audio function
PlatformsI accessed through iPhone, but it says it’s available through Android and web
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“This app has an interesting dictionary app and robust cross referencing, but overall it’s difficult to use and navigate. Maybe if you purchase some of the other items available to download it would work better.”
✕ Wouldn't keep it Design 6/10
+Olive Tree has an easily accessible and free cross referencing and dictionary tool.
–It’s not a very clean design and if there is a free audio Bible function, I couldn’t find it.
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On the designThe app is difficult to navigate
What you get freeThe ESV, NIV and KJV and dictionary and cross referencing all worked without paying
Did a paywall hit?No, just showed options for in-app purchasing
Translations / versionsDoesn’t say. I found at least the NIV, ESV and KJV downloadable for free, but it appears that others need to be purchased.
LanguagesI could only find English in my limited time with it
Audio Bible, who powers itI cannot find out how to operate the audio Bible apart from purchasing it. It appears to be accessible as a free Bible/audio download.
AdsLots of “ads” to purchase other content for the app.
PlatformsShould work in all devices, but I only tried it on iPhone
PriceFree Bible with cross referencing and robust dictionary. Lots of in app purchases required for other features.
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Feature comparison15 features compared across 5 apps.
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✓ has feature
✕ confirmed none
? not yet verified
Independent ranking. Every app here is scored the same way. Nobody can pay to rank higher. Scored by hand by Chrissie.
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