If we line up a dozen smartphone and tablet users, asking them for their favorite Bible app, my guess is we’d get a dozen different answers. By now, maybe every smartphone user has downloaded at least one Bible app, even if he or she still carries a printed Bible for backup. Truth is, when I travel, I still carry one myself — the thinnest Bible I can find that has print that is easily readable for my own eyes, while teaching in a dark environment. Still, my slightly-stepped-up-font Old and New Testament is no more than 1 inch thick. What if the power goes out for an entire day and I exhaust the batteries on both my laptop and phone? But beyond that, I’m convinced that in some contexts, it still just looks too… WEIRD to teach using a phone or laptop Bible.
But what about the other times, when you CAN read the Bible on your phone or tablet? Which Bible program do you like most as your iPhone, iPad or Android device? I’m biased toward Bibles that act as “apps” rather than just portals to a web page (to make sure I can see them when my phone is offline). Therefore, I’m not as big a fan of “YouVersion” or whatever it’s called. I’ve tried Zondervan’s “Bible Gateway.” For some reason, that hasn’t become my favorite. I’ve been a long-time big fan of Olive Tree Bible. Lately, I’ve also tried the Faithlife study Bible, the Logos Bible, and e-Sword LT. What’s your own favorite?
If you’re looking for an app for your PC, many point directly to Logos Bible at…
What’s your own favorite?
I use PocketSword from http://www.crosswire.org on my iphone. It’s resident on my device, so no internet connection required and no data usage once it’s set up. It’s fully featured with multiple translation capability, commentaries, dictionaries, etc. – and all for free.
Accordance for Mac is a wonderful Bible and research program. Phone and ipad interface too.
You can download several translations (incl. NIV) at You Version now. I also prefer to not rely on an internet connection.
I have logos, youversiin and Olive Tree on my mac and Samsung note2. I still only really like OliveTree plus they give away free versions and other books all the time which is nice. I want to love logos because there’s so much there but it’s still so much hassle to use for daily reading or just looking up verses. Had Accordance too as well as two study bibles’ apps…keep coming back to Olive tree.
My experience is that the Olive Tree and Accordance apps I have for my iOS devices have functions and feel that surpass Android apps. However, I have also been using Bible.is, MySword and YouVersion for Android, as well as YouVersion for iOS, to take advantage of the access they give to minority language Scriptures. No single Bible app does everything I want. I think that’s the same thing I said last year!
Oooops – I forgot to mention that I’m also using Accordance on my laptop. It’s really a superb app for all levels.
I love my Tecarta NIV. Fast. Easy to navigate. Strong search function. Doesn’t require internet.
You need to try Pocket Bible by far one of the easiest to use. It is found at http://www.laridian.com. It is portable too, meaning you can put it on all your devices.
It might be old – but its free and QUICK to search
berBible goes very well on laptop / tablets
ps nothing in this article about translations and costs!
One really should be aware of literal / paragraph sense / paraphrase / and cultural translations etc etc – esp in cross cultural work its v. imp – so (with sorrow) I/we don’t favour NIV alone
For PC and MacOS use, I’ve found theWord Bible Software at http://www.theword.net/ to be a really powerful and flexible program. Plus it’s FREE, except for the license to use some specific translations. And it has a complete “to-go” version available to use on a USB stick with no install required. I’m not a Logos user, but I’m told this is comparable, and it’s free.
I have used Laridian’s PocketBible for years, and continue to be happy with both the desktop and android apps. there is a wide range of translations, and other resource materials.
Totally agree. I’ve used Pocket Bible from Laridian since my Palm Pilot days. I currently use it on Windows 8 and my Windows phone.
I carry two phones, one for US, one for travel. My missions work requires I be able t work away from internet. I am not too pleased with what I find yet, but it is improving. The best ones so far as portable study aps are Cadre Bible for Android and CrossConnect for Windows 8, although I also use Study The Word for straight reading as it is easy on the eyes
For those who may still have an old windows 6.5 phone the Online Bible’s Pocket Bible module was excellent as you could download any module you had on Online Bile PC to the phone.
I’m a big fan of YouVersion now that versions can be downloaded (to jump around, don’t use Search, which goes to the web, just tap on the reference drop-down at the top). The NIV has text and audio. Using one of the daily reading plans, you can listen to the whole Bible in a year or a shorter time. It’s great for listening while driving, working out, working around the house, etc. I also like the Blue Letter Bible app. Biblical Studies professors at my university seem pleased with Logos for in-depth study.
Youversion. On an iPad