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A free daily plan that takes you through the whole Bible in a year, with written and audio commentary from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel of Alpha.
Our verdict
Bible in One Year, now titled The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, does one thing and does it beautifully: it walks you through the whole Bible in a year with a trusted companion at your side. Each day pairs passages from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms or Proverbs with a short, encouraging commentary from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel and a closing prayer. You can read the commentary or listen to it as audio, and you can choose your pace with Classic (about 25 minutes), Express (about 15 minutes), and Youth (about 12 minutes) tracks. It is completely free, offered by the team behind Alpha, and serves more than 1.5 million readers in eleven languages.
What makes it work is warmth. The Gumbels write like friends who want you to keep going, not scholars trying to impress you, and that tone is exactly what carries people through the hard stretches of Leviticus and the prophets. A 4.9-star average from around 13,000 ratings reflects how effective the format is at building a lasting daily habit. Offline syncing, bookmarks, and a verse of the day round out a focused, friendly experience.
The caveat is that this is a reading-plan app, not a general Bible platform. You are not choosing among hundreds of translations, comparing versions, or opening commentaries and study Bibles; the app is built around its own guided journey. If you want a full study toolkit, you will keep a second app for that. But if your goal is to finally read the entire Bible, cover to cover, with a gentle voice guiding each day, few things in this category do it better, and none do it better for free.
How we scored it
Standout features
365-day journey
A structured plan through the entire Bible, pairing Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms or Proverbs each day.
Gumbel commentary
Short, encouraging daily reflections from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel that make the reading stick.
Listen or read
Follow each day's commentary in text or as audio, whichever fits your morning.
Pick your pace
Choose Classic (~25 min), Express (~15 min), or Youth (~12 min) to match your season of life.
Eleven languages
Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, German, French, and more for readers worldwide.
Offline syncing
Download readings ahead of time and keep your progress even without a connection.
Pros & cons
✓ Pros
- Completely free with no ads or paywalls
- Warm, encouraging daily commentary from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel
- Three pace options, from 25-minute Classic to 12-minute Youth
- Read or listen to each day's commentary as audio
- Beautifully consistent habit-building format, 4.9-star rated
– Cons
- Built around one reading plan, not a full Bible platform
- No large translation library or version comparison
- Lacks study Bibles, commentaries, and deep research tools
Best for
Anyone determined to read the whole Bible in a year with a warm, encouraging daily guide.
Look elsewhere if
You want many translations, version comparison, or a full study-and-commentary toolkit.
Pricing
How it compares
| Bible in One Year | YouVersion Bible | Ascension: Catholic Bible | Bible Gateway | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.1 | 9.4 | 8.6 | 7.9 |
| Completely free | Yes | Yes | Freemium | With ads |
| Guided daily commentary | Yes | Via plans | Yes | Via plans |
| Translation library | Limited | 2,000+ | Catholic | 200+ |
| Study tools | Minimal | Limited | Extensive | Plus tier |
FAQ
Is Bible in One Year really free?
Yes, entirely. There are no ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases. It is offered free by Alpha, the ministry behind The Alpha Course.
Who writes the daily commentary?
Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, longtime leaders at Holy Trinity Brompton and pioneers of Alpha, provide the warm daily reflections and prayers.
How long does each day take?
It depends on the track you choose: about 25 minutes for Classic, 15 for Express, or 12 for the Youth version.
Can I listen instead of reading?
Yes. Each day's commentary is available as audio, so you can listen during a commute or workout instead of reading on screen.
Is this a full Bible app?
Not exactly. It is a focused reading-plan app built around one guided journey, so many readers pair it with a fuller Bible app for translations and study tools.
