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Bible Gateway
Bible Gateway is a free online Bible platform offering access to more than 200 Bible translations in over 70 languages. Users can search by keyword, verse, or topic, read audio Bibles, follow reading plans, highlight passages, take notes, and sync their study across devices. The core Bible reading experience is free with no account required.
A paid subscription called Bible Gateway Plus adds an ad-free experience and access to over 60 study tools including commentaries, study Bibles, and Bible dictionaries. The platform is published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing and serves casual readers, students, and serious Bible scholars looking for a comprehensive, multi-translation reference tool.
Screenshots
Our verdict
For sheer breadth, nothing in this category touches Bible Gateway. With more than 200 translations across 15-plus languages and over 30 audio Bibles, it is the closest thing to a universal reference library you can keep in your pocket. Its search has been the quiet workhorse of sermon prep and small-group study for over 30 years, and it remains superb: type a phrase, a topic, or a reference and you get instant, well-organized results. A free account lets you highlight, take notes, react to verses, and sync everything across devices, and on an iPad you can lay two versions side by side for comparison.
The premium layer, Bible Gateway Plus, runs about $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year. It removes advertising and opens up more than sixty study resources, including commentaries, study Bibles, and expository dictionaries like Vine's and Mounce's. For anyone who lives in Scripture research, that bundle is genuinely deep value, and it is the version of the app we would point most serious students toward.
The reason this sits below its potential is the free experience. Recent moves toward heavier in-app advertising have frustrated longtime users, and it shows in a 3.7-star average across roughly 10,000 ratings, notably lower than its peers. The interface can feel busier and less serene than the ESV app or YouVersion, and offline support is more limited than a pure reader. Bible Gateway is still the breadth champion and an essential study tool, but you feel the ads until you pay to make them go away.
How we scored it
Standout features
200+ translations
An enormous library spanning NIV, KJV, ESV, NKJV, NASB, AMP, MSG, and many other languages.
Instant search
Find any verse, phrase, or topic in seconds with the search engine that powers countless sermons.
30+ audio Bibles
Listen in English, Spanish, Chinese, and more, with dramatized and read-aloud options.
Side-by-side compare
On iPad, read two translations at once to weigh wording and nuance.
Bible Gateway Plus
Unlock 60+ commentaries, study Bibles, and expository dictionaries while removing ads.
Cross-device sync
A free account keeps notes, highlights, and reactions in step across your phone, tablet, and the web.
Pros & cons
✓ Pros
- 200+ translations across more than 15 languages
- Fast, powerful keyword, topic, and reference search
- 30+ audio Bibles in multiple languages
- Plus tier adds 60+ commentaries and study tools
- Free account syncs notes and highlights across devices
– Cons
- Free version is noticeably ad-heavy after recent changes
- Interface feels busier and less polished than rivals
- Offline reading is weaker than dedicated reader apps
Best for
Study and sermon prep where access to many translations and a powerful search matter most.
Look elsewhere if
You want an ad-free, minimalist reading experience without paying for a subscription.
Pricing
How it compares
| Bible Gateway | YouVersion Bible | Life Bible | ESV Bible | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.9 | 9.4 | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Translations | 200+ | 2,000+ | 100+ | 1 (ESV) |
| Ad-free free tier | No | Yes | Partly | Yes |
| Study tools | Plus tier | Limited | Extensive | Premium |
| Offline | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
FAQ
How many translations does Bible Gateway have?
More than 200 Bible translations across over 15 languages, plus 30-plus audio Bibles, making it one of the broadest libraries available in any app.
What is Bible Gateway Plus?
A premium subscription (about $6.99/month or $69.99/year) that removes ads and unlocks more than sixty study tools, including commentaries, study Bibles, and dictionaries like Vine's and Mounce's.
Why does the free app show ads?
The free tier is supported by advertising, which increased in recent updates. A Bible Gateway Plus subscription removes ads entirely.
Can I compare two translations at once?
Yes, especially on iPad, where a side-by-side view lets you read two versions simultaneously. A free account also syncs your notes and highlights across devices.
Does it work offline?
Some content can be used offline, but offline support is more limited than in dedicated reader apps, so a connection is best for full access to the library.
