Looking for some apps and tools to study the scriptures...check out this roundup of some of the more helpful tools available.
The Bible App by YouVersion
iOS | Android | Web | Desktop
This is one of the most popular of the Bible apps. YouVersion’s app has been downloaded well over 100 million times. It’s quick, free, and probably the Bible app your friends use.
From their website: Our focus remains on relevancy as we consistently strive to demonstrate and teach people how God’s Word relates to everyone, no matter where they are in life. [. . .] We aren’t just building a tool to impact the world using innovative technology, more importantly, we are engaging people into relationships with God as they discover the relevance the Bible has for their lives.
STEP Bible Study Tool
Web | Desktop
STEP stands for Scripture Tools for Every Person. STEP is a project from Tyndale House in the UK. The STEP Bible study tool has a full resource of Bible and language tools and allow for in depth study across a wide variety of different Bible translations.
From their website: STEP Bible is packed full of features to help people study the Bible text, from reading and comparing different versions of the Bible to grappling with original language words, through using word clouds to track themes as they unfold in a book, STEP Bible can assist.
Bible.is
iOS | Android | Web
This family of Christian apps feature text, audio, and video Bibles in 1600+ languages (including multiple international sign languages). According to their site, Bible.is has the world’s largest Bible language library.
From their website: Together with the ministry of Faith Comes By Hearing, Bible.is provides a vast library of Bible translations to bring God’s church together making disciples from every nation, tribe, language, and people with the tools and technology of today.
Bible Gateway
iOS | Android | Web
If you Google any Bible reference, there’s a good chance Bible Gateway is your #1 result. But they’re more than an online Bible reader: they have mobile apps and lots of supplementary resources.
From their website: Bible Gateway is your rich social and personal connection to freely read, research, and reference Scripture on your desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone . . . anywhere; in more than 70 languages and more than 180 versions! Its simple yet advanced searching capabilities allow you to quickly find and compare particular passages in multiple Bible translations based on the keywords, phrases, topics, or Scripture references you have in mind.
Olive Tree
iOS | Android | Web | Desktop
The Bible Study App by Olive Tree is a widely-used tool for Christians who like to dig around while they’re reading the Bible. Plus, John Piper has said it’s his go-to Bible app.
From their app page: Over 4 million people on 6 continents use ‘The Bible Study App’ to read and study God’s Word! This Bible app is more than just an e-reader, ‘The Bible Study App’ links your Bible reading with outstanding commentaries, maps, and dictionaries for an in-depth study experience. You can take notes, highlight verses, bookmark passages, and sync all of these things between different devices. Install now to explore over 100 free downloadable resources that make ‘The Bible Study App’ a must have.
Logos Bible Software
iOS | Android | Web | Desktop
Logos Bible Software has been a powerful research library for preachers and seminarians (though they’re becoming more lay-friendly). Their intricate tagging system makes Logos an invaluable tool for hardcore Bible geeks.
From their website: With easy‐to‐use tools and a massive theological library, Logos 6 delivers insight. Pinpoint answers in seconds, study the Word in its cultural context, uncover meaning in the original languages, and answer questions with confidence.
Accordance
iOS | Desktop
Accordance is the elegant Bible scholarship software for savvy readers and ministers. It focuses on speed, ease of use, and building a specialized library of relevant resources for Christians.
From their website: Your time is valuable, so Bible study software shouldn’t be cumbersome or complicated. Accordance Bible Software places all the tools you need right at your fingertips in one easy to use, lightning-fast interface. And with a host of amazing new features in Accordance 11, going deeper in the study of the scriptures has never been simpler.
e-Sword
iOS | Desktop
It’s the iconic, barebones free Bible study tool. The e-Sword app lets you search and compare various Bible translations, plus some quick original-language lookups (using Strong’s numbers). It’s well past 25 million downloads.
WORDSearch Bible Software
iOS | Android | Desktop
It’s a Bible app that helps Christians search the Word. You can also build out a library of Bibles, commentaries, lessons, maps, and more resources from their store.
From their website: WORDsearch Bible Software, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources, has been a provider of premium Bible study software since 1987. WORDsearch is recognized as the leading Bible software “serving those who preach and teach to change lives.” WORDsearch offers preachers and teachers over 4,500 Bibles and books that make Bible study faster, easier and more enjoyable. The QuickVerse brand is also a part of the WORDsearch family of Bible software.
Bible Web App
Web
This sleek Web app lets you read Bibles, commentaries, and even Greek and Hebrew texts side-by-side. It’s free to access, and its search result graphics are a delightful treat for Christians.
From their website: Online Bible study application with bonus study features for studying Greek and Hebrew. Developed by Digital Bible Society with major contributions from John Dyer and Michael Johnson.
Blue Letter Bible
Web
The Blue Letter Bible has been making the Bible and other reference works free on the Web since 1995. They took the name “Blue Letter Bible” from the fact that way back then, most hyperlinks were blue. Their vision was to link every word of the Bible to supplementary reference works—which would make for a lot of blue letters!
From their website: Blue Letter Bible provides powerful tools for an in-depth study of God’s Word through our free online reference library, with study tools that are grounded in the historical, conservative Christian faith.
