# Pencil Bible: Journal & Study — user reviews > 324 indexed App Store user reviews of Pencil Bible by Launch Round, rated 4.20/5 from 1,447 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencil-bible-journal-and-study/id1612587185/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencil-bible-journal-and-study/id1612587185.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 974 · 4★ 158 · 3★ 128 · 2★ 58 · 1★ 129 ## What do users think of Pencil Bible? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Excellent concept and idea - 👍 Sleek and appealing design - 👍 User-friendly interface - 👍 Customizable layout and settings - 👍 Ability to write, highlight, and annotate - 👍 Potential for digital Bible journaling **Cons** - 🐛 Laggy and glitchy writing/drawing experience - 🐛 Lack of palm rejection causing unintended input - 🐛 Scrolling issues and limitations - 🐛 Inconsistent behavior and bugs - 💰 Expensive subscription model - 💰 Limited free Bible versions **Commonly reported bugs** - Frequent crashes and app freezes - Disappearing annotations and notes - Misaligned or distorted writing - Issues with Apple Pencil compatibility - Inconsistent behavior across device types **Most requested features** - Landscape mode support - Split-screen/multi-tasking capabilities - More Bible version options (e.g. NIV, NASB, CSB) - Ability to add custom pages/sections - Improved pencil/stylus functionality (e.g. pressure sensitivity, customizable tools) - Handwriting-to-text conversion - Stickers and other creative elements - Verse-level navigation - Offline access without subscription ## Newest reviews (16 of 324) ### 4/5 — Almost Perfect *2026-08-16, version 3.0.53* Consider adding one more feature: Notes. Listening to messages or exploring a biblical topic from multiple books, I still have to jump between a notebook for the coherent thought or topic to be captured completely. If there was a way to add notes within a folder, I could create a folder called “Sermons” and add a new note to that folder each week while I am at church for whatever topic we are studying. This way I could always get back to revisit what I have studied. This is where all journaling bibles miss the mark, and I hope you will be the first to solve this 🙏 Other than this, great app!! ### 3/5 — Glitching *2026-08-16, version 3.0.53* App is glitching cannot get past initial screen please fix ### 2/5 — editing stopped working *2026-07-04, version 3.0.50* the app worked fine in the beginning then i struggled to turn the editing bck not able to write or highlight anymore despite deleting and reinstalling the app. ### 5/5 — Good *2026-06-20, version 3.0.47* I won’t lie I like the app but there are things that I do not like. Such as iwhen you buy the Lifetime subscription for 79.99 they should at least give you one of the Bible versions for free. I don’t understanding why they’re charging for the different versions of the Bible. Those should come in free and the ability to write in more than 10 chapters should be where they charge. Another issue that I’ve had is my Apple Pencil was working fine one day and then the next day it was not working in the app. I thought it was my pencil until I went to other apps on my iPad and was able to write just fine. I like being able to read the Bible on this app and make notes and highlights, but I do think they need to adjust the cost and fix whatever bug causes your stylus or pencil to stop working. *Update* I moved my stars from 3 to 5, I would give 4.5 if I was not able to. I still do not like that when you pay $79.99 you don’t get it at least one version for free that you want but that’s not a big deal. I am updating because the issue with my pencil not working appeared to be something that I was doing. It seems that I needed to finish the whole introduction so it would not stall my ability to use the app. I don’t know if others have experienced that, but I realize after I completed the full tour now when I login in the morning, I’m able to scroll, highlight and do all of those things. As stated my only issue is that if I’m paying $79.99 it would be nice not to have to pay another $9.99 for the version I want. But I understand they gotta make their money so I’m not mad at them. I highly recommend the app though. ### 5/5 — Exactly what I need *2026-06-20, version 3.0.47* I have been wanting a Bible app that I can take notes on and found Pencil Bible a few years ago. The team is constantly updating to make it even better than it already is!!! Thank you Pencil Bible team for making Bible study easier and fun!! ### 5/5 — Love this app and highly recommend! *2026-06-20, version 3.0.47* After getting my iPad with an Apple Pencil, I found myself wanting a Bible that I could take notes in and I came across this app and I am so so thankful that I did! It works exactly as I hoped it would. I have run into a couple of glitches, but I reached out to support and they have always responded promptly and went in above and beyond to fix any issues. I would definitely highly recommend this app to anyone who is looking to keep digital Bible notes. ### 5/5 — Just a Wide Margin Bible !! *2026-06-18, version 3.0.46* The Pencil Bible is my carry along Bible. On my iPad mini, I can read take note, jump over to my journal without having to carry a couple of notebooks and a heavy Bible. i love having it with me all the time. It is simple, but does everything that I need. I recommend it to everyone!! ### 5/5 — Russian translate *2026-06-08, version 3.0.45* Waiting for Russian translate ### 5/5 — Amazing *2026-06-04, version 3.0.45* This is a great bible app. I now have my own notes against the text not hidden off somewhere. It's a journaling bible but online you also have access to many versions. And I hear more are in the pipeline. I have nothing but good to say for this thoroughly enjoying my Bible study experience. Thank you for this. ### 4/5 — Free but limited *2026-06-03, version 3.0.45* It’s a good app and seems to have all that I want and need but you have to pay money sadly to access the other translations and journaling. The only free translations are the KJV and the ASV, and I’m good with those but do like to have more to reference. Then you only get 10 free chapters to journal on. They do give you a payment plan of either a week $1.99, year $24.99/16.99 or lifetime $99.00/79.99. I just wish I would have seen in the description or other reviews that you have to pay. No hate at all, the owner/creator needs to make money somehow. It’s an amazing app if you are willing to pay. ### 2/5 — Paid features *2026-05-27, version 3.0.45* A bible app should not be paid. It’s absurd to charge 8.99 for what is intended to be free and publicly available. This app doesn’t even offer NET, CSB, or other common translations. I would understand a donation based model, but charging for the bible is not appropriate. ### 4/5 — Love it but… *2026-05-26, version 3.0.45* I love this app I really do. My only concern is that when you change anything regarding fonts (size or type), you lose alignment with your highlights and notes and it becomes a mess. If that can be fixed, this app will be perfect… ### 5/5 — Best Bible App EVER! *2026-05-23, version 3.0.45* This app has changed the way I interact with God’s Word. Highlighting, marking up & drawing in the margins makes my study time so much better! I can't recommend this app enough! ### 5/5 — New updates are incredible *2026-05-20, version 3.0.45* Tried this a year or so ago and it was clear it needed work, but I opened it up again yesterday and man is it a different app. The stylus smoothness is much better, the tool customization is more complex, and they integrated the haptic functions of the apple pencil pro to be functional as well! Really loving this for study as I work on sermon prep and personal devotionals as well. Highly recommend it! ### 5/5 — Love It *2026-05-04, version 3.0.45* Just started using it and really enjoying it. Only struggle I have is it from time to time is picking up my hand resting on the iPad screen while writing with the Apple Pencil Pro. Hope that is something that can be addressed at some point but definitely not a deal breaker by any means. Edit: I changed a setting on my iPad to only use the Pencil for drawing and that seems to resolve my issue. ### 4/5 — Crazy cool app, but… *2026-04-19, version 3.0.7* I LOVE this concept. I love that rather than my usual chaotic system for church involving my Bible, iPad, Apple Pencil and regular pens, I can just take my iPad. This merges all of that into one. However, I really value having red lettered text for the words of Jesus. Love the concept, but only a 4 star for me, until there is red lettered text! :) ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Unfortunately subscription required *2026-08-25, version 3.0.54* This would be great if it was a one time fee. Won’t use bc they lock you into a subscription. Can split screen with a free bible app and note app and achieve the same goal. Also other bible apps give you different versions for free. If you want a different version it’ll be $10 bucks. Obviously they only care about bleeding as much money out of the user as possible. ### 1/5 — It’s unusable for me. *2026-08-08, version 3.0.51* Downloaded it this morning. I cannot access the BSB, it populates as a blank document, but the biggest issue is my Apple Pencil will not work with the drawing tool function. It won’t draw if I try to use my finger either. All it will do is scroll the page up, down, left and right. No drawing or journaling function at all. I tried reestablishing the Bluetooth of my pencil, and tried deleting the app and downloading again. Nothing different. Right now it’s only ok for reading and I have other apps that already do that for free mind you. Maybe this is an app glitch, maybe it’s not actually supported for older iPads. I’m not sure, but either way, it not a usable app for what it’s advertised for. ### 1/5 — Was a great app *2026-06-25, version 3.0.48* Unable to use my Apple pen or doodle by hand. ### 1/5 — Waste of time *2026-06-21, version 3.0.48* Won't let me use my apple pencil. Also makes me pay for my translation when I subscribed to the membership… don’t waste your time. ### 1/5 — A subscription? Really? *2026-02-15, version 3.0.5* Loved this app until I kept getting messages requiring a subscription for full use of notes beyond ten chapters. Do I need a subscription to write notes in a physical bible? I’m fine with higher app costs on the store and even charges for new translations, but a subscription for full use is a no-go for me, and I’d advise the developers to dump the sub model. Sub fatigue is a real problem with software these days, and Jesus certainly doesn’t expect a subscription to read and study the Word of God. ### 1/5 — Total Rip Off! *2026-02-02, version 3.0.5* After buying ESV for $8.99, the app, weeks later, now wants $1.99 per week to use it to take notes. I can only read after even after purchase of ESV, which is available free elsewhere. DO NOT BUY! Sad that people use the Bible to steal. Pastor Larry Sarver Even after contacting the developer, they did not settle this matter. You would be wise to avoid them and not pay anything toward the purchase of their app. It is unfortunate that what could’ve been a highly recommended app is ruining their business through detective pricing. ### 1/5 — Total Rip Off! *2026-01-25, version 3.0.4* After buying ESV for $8.99, the app, weeks later, now wants $1.99 per week to use it to take notes. I can only read after even after purchase of ESV, which is available free elsewhere. DO NOT BUY! Sad that people use the Bible to steal. Pastor Larry Sarver ### 1/5 — Fraud *2026-01-22, version 3.0.4* Be very cautious about using this app. The free version is not worth the trouble but the paid version is a lie. I read their website and believed them that they would update and offer what they promised. After actually answering emails and promising to deliver, months and months and lies and lies later, I am out $18.99 for an annual subscription and $9.99 for a NKJV Bible. I tried to get Apple to refund the cost and they refused as ineligible so I went to the developer. The developer tried to scam me by asking for my bank account number for a wire transfer to send me the refund. There is never a reason that anyone should ask for your checking account number and routing number even if they are outside the USA. This company has lied and said they created a great app but if you want what they promise, go download the free app called Bible Tiles which is everything this one promises and free to boot. I think they are ripping them off and just saying they will provide what is not rightfully theirs. Just sayin’ and the response about doing all they can to help is not real either as they asked for my banking information as a “help”. That just screams fraud. ### 1/5 — Deceptive pricing model *2026-01-17, version 3.0.2* The app is free to read as is states, but the whole point of this app is to be able to draw and add notes. At first to get the Bible version you want you’ll have to pay. This seems fair to me and I was happy to do so. But after ten pages of notes it then alerts you that it’s a subscription (or lifetime $70) fee to keep using the notes function. The app needs to be more upfront with the pricing model, but I suspect the developers know that it’s a ripoff. Look at remarkable bibles or crossway for much cheaper .pdf alternatives that have spaces for notes. ### 1/5 — App update! *2025-12-28, version 3.0.1* They have recently updated the app and how it works, the note section and pencil has changed a lot and is definitely not as good! They also make you pay to write notes! Before update it was a 10/10 now it’s a 1! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Favorite Bible App *2026-08-23, version 3.0.54* Pencil Bible is an amazing app for anyone who wants to spend more time in God’s Word. I love how simple, beautiful, and easy to use it is. The ability to read, study, and take notes right in the app makes Bible study feel more personal and engaging. It’s quickly become one of my favorite apps, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great Bible app! One future request would be please consider adding Indian translations especially Malayalam (BSI). ### 5/5 — Reacted immediately after update for another update that fixed everything. *2026-08-17, version 3.0.53* Thank you for your prompt responsiveness ### 5/5 — Wonderful app even better support *2026-08-12, version 3.0.52* I was thrilled to find the Pencil Bible app over a year ago. One of the great frustrations I found after I became an Apple Pencil user 8 or 9 years ago was the lack of pencil support in Bible Apps. This app changed all that. Easy to use. It is customizable enough to get the layout just right. The tools are good. I’m a happy and dedicated user. And on top of that I can’t say enough good things about the support team. Quick, direct response with a strong commitment to assisting customers and solving problems. I’m still using the older first gen pencil on my current iPad purchased in 2017 (still working great). And I had a problem with a recent update with the Pencil Bible App. Erin gathered info, investigated the matter, and worked with me until the problem was solved. ### 5/5 — Love how relaxing and truthful it is *2026-08-01, version 3.0.50* The best bible app I’ve seen and used, doesn’t ask you to pay ever 5 seconds for a premium subscription just lets you relax and be with God. I love being able to highlight, draw and write on your bible to make it yours. ### 5/5 — Love the App *2026-07-24, version 3.0.50* I love the ability this Bible app gives. DEFINITELY WORTH EVERY DOLLAR, AND MORE!!! ### 5/5 — journaling for the win! *2026-07-12, version 3.0.50* absolutely love being able to journal digitally! I have many physical Bibles I use, but when i’m studying for teaching, I like to use my iPad, and this is so helpful to have a simple Bible I can split screens with my notes and other apps for prepping and while teaching! 2 requests: can we not only move around text once it’s written, but also make it bigger or smaller? and similarly, I’d love to be able to zoom in on the page and zoom out. I love those features in notability and it would be so awesome to have here! ### 5/5 — Loving the latest updates! *2026-07-05, version 3.0.50* I have been using this app for years and have always thought it would be great to be able to add pictures to my notes. I love that this feature has been added now! Also the footnotes are wonderfully helpful. Thank you, Erin, for creating this app and making it so usable and for all of the hard work you put into it! ### 5/5 — Updated review *2026-07-05, version 3.0.50* ok now I’m really getting excited. I like to draw and do a lot of pngs with transparent backgrounds. Since apple allows these to be added to camera roll, The ability to pull these images into the bible app has me soooo happy. I had already purchased the one and done and a couple versions of the bible. So yes it’s an investment but not just in the app, but in my own spiritual growth. Now if it could just be possible to zoom the page you are working on…I’d be extremely happy, but even without this is now a solid 5 star app. Love my notes to be along side the scriptures so I don’t have to flip back and forth. ### 5/5 — Love it! *2026-07-03, version 3.0.50* I like having the ability to manually highlight, circle and make notes by hand throughout the Bible. I just wish they have t made the icon dark or at least gave us the ability to choose between different ones. Other than that, a must download! ### 5/5 — THE ABSOLUTE BEST BIBLE APP *2026-06-20, version 3.0.47* I waited years for a Bible app that functioned like a traditional Bible. I wanted to be able to write in it, take notes, draw things, highlight, underline, circle, and use my Apple Pencil. This app does all of that and more. And here’s the thing: the developers respond to every email immediately. They are working night and day to make it what users request and need. I cannot thank them enough for their work and commitment. GET THIS APP! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*