Comparison

Cross+Reference vs Bible Tiles

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Cross+Reference

Read full description

Cross+Reference is a new way to Study the Bible. Read+Research+WriteItDown The App focuses on having a selected verse. This Sync verse gives context to what you are reading. The Sync Verse updates the content in other panels allowing them to be updated in the context of the Verse. Are you a Diligent Seeker? Cross+Reference is designed to help both the novice and experience Bible Scholars in research and improving their understanding of scriptures. You may display content to fill from one to ten Panels. Each Panel contains any of several content types from Bible verses to Notes and Videos. The full list of Panels is listed below by category. The Panel layouts are highly customizable and may be saved and recalled for quick access. Automatically Sync your Study (collection of notes, videos, etc.) between iPhone and iPad. Key Concepts: - Reading - Using the sync verse (see above) gives the Cross+Reference user the ability to quickly lookup a person or location without going to another App or the Web to get the details. The cities and kings of Israel are very important to understanding the deep details of how and why certain things happened the way they did through out the Bible. Using a research tool like the built in Easton Dictionary allows you to get context for the people and places of the selected verse. Cross+Reference quickly looks up each word in the selected verse and displays the found entries in a list. Selecting an entries displays the details. Additionally, Naves and Thompson concordances give similar ability with their content. - When taking notes simply typing a Book:Chapter:Verse reference (1Sam:16:15 for example) highlights as a link that when tapped immediately updates the Primary Bible sync verse to that verse. These links can even be copied into other Applications such as Apple Notes and can be tapped on there and opened in Cross+Reference - The Study - A Cross+Reference Study is a user document that contains Notes, web pages, documents, Videos links and a variety of other content that relates to a specific Bible topic. Whether it is for a personal study, Bible Study notes or the outline for an upcoming sermon, Cross+Reference provides many of the tools to aid in reading and research. Loads of features with lots to explore With 14 different Panel Types (see panel help for details) Reading Panels Primary Bible Panel - the Bible version that updates the Sync verse. It has 3 variations - Primary Bible - Select the Header to select the Version, Book Chapter and verse - Alternate Bible - Same as Primary but displays two Bible version side by side - Verse Selection - Same as Primary but the Version, Book Chapter and verse overlay remains available while scrolling the Bible Standalone Bible - same as Primary Bible except it does not update the Sync Verse Reader Version - Chapter based instead of verse base. allows reading in a more traditional way Multiple Bible Version - Allows displaying a the current Sync verse for Bible Version available Favorite - Create and maintain favorite verses for easily recalling the verse text. Research Panels Chapter Overview - provides a short write up for quick access to the major events and topics in a chapter. Based on the Westminster Reference Bible summaries. Search - Detailed search for finding specific word searches topics within the Bible. Also provides a convenient Web Search tab for searching the Web for a topic. Verses Reference - See all the text related to the sync verse Easton Dictionary Thompson Topics Naves Topical Concordance WriteItDown Panels Tag Bookmarks - Tag verses and research tools search terms for a Study Notes - with Bible verse link detection Notations - Notes Notation - Note taking - Bible Link Notation - A verse - Image with Note Notation - Web Notation - Web page - Document Notations - PDF, Office, iWork Docs, and other doc types - Video Notations - YouTube Video Links, Web Video URLs, video files from Photos and Files

About

Bible Tiles

This app reimagines digital Bible study by offering natural note-taking with drawing, highlighting, and typing tools. It provides an immersive reading experience with customizable layouts, multiple translations, and offline access, all synced across Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Natural handwriting and drawing notes
  • Lasso tool for intuitive editing
  • Typed notes and Apple Pencil Scribble
  • Adjustable fonts and text size
  • Split screen for translation comparison
  • Offline Bible access
  • iCloud sync across Apple devices
Features
Read full description

Your Bible, Reimagined. Do you love the feel of your physical Bible but wish for the convenience of digital? Bible Tiles was born from a passion to bridge that gap – created out of frustration with clunky interfaces and a desire for a truly intuitive, personal, and powerful Bible study experience on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Finally, Digital Notes That Feel Natural: Bible Tiles revolutionizes digital Bible note-taking. We believe annotating scripture should feel fluid and personal, not frustrating. Write, Draw, Highlight Freely: Use multiple pen styles and a full color palette just like you would on paper. The Power of the Lasso: The Lasso tool lets you intuitively select, move, group, or delete anything on the page – handwritten notes, highlights, even typed text – with a simple gesture. Typed Notes & Scribble: Prefer typing? Add typed notes anywhere. iPad users can use Apple Pencil Scribble to convert handwriting to text instantly in any text field. Effortless Editing: Made a mistake? A simple two-finger tap undoes your last action. Immersive Reading & Powerful Study: Dive deeper into the Word with tools designed for focus and understanding. Clean & Customizable: Read clearly with adjustable fonts, dynamic text size support, and the option to hide verse numbers. Choose between light and dark modes for comfort. Zoom & Split Screen: Pinch to zoom for a closer look. Use Split Screen to compare translations side-by-side or view your notes alongside the text. Extensive Library: Access 40+ Bible translations (and growing!), with the ability to download and use multiple versions simultaneously. Red Letter Text: Easily identify the words of Christ in the New Testament. Offline Access: Your Bible, notes, and bookmarks are always available, even without an internet connection. Study anywhere, anytime. Intuitive Navigation: Find your way around scripture with ease. Simulated Bible Tabs: Experience the familiar feel of physical Bible tabs, digitally recreated for quick, visual navigation between books or chapters. Bookmarks: Save important verses with simple, reliable bookmarks. Powerful Search: Quickly find verses or keywords. Seamless & Personal: Bible Tiles integrates smoothly into your workflow and lets you make it your own. iCloud Sync: Keep all your notes, highlights, and bookmarks automatically synced across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac using your secure iCloud account (optional). Native Experience: Feels right at home on Apple platforms, utilizing familiar interfaces like the native iOS toolpicker. Personalize: Choose custom app themes, Bible cover images within the app, note colors, font styles, and even the layout of verse numbers (left or right). Our Unwavering Commitment: Free, Private, Open. 100% Free, Forever: Bible Tiles is, and always will be, completely free. No ads, no subscriptions, no features hidden behind paywalls. Absolutely Private: We believe your study is personal. Bible Tiles collects no user data and performs no tracking. Your notes and data stay on your device or within your own iCloud account. Offline First: Designed for uninterrupted access, independent of internet connectivity. Mission-Driven & Community Focused: Bible Tiles began as a solo passion project and is structured as a California nonprofit corporation (currently obtaining federal 501(c)(3) status). Our mission is simply to provide the best possible tool to help people connect with the Bible. Support through optional donations is deeply appreciated and directly funds this mission: helping us secure rights for more free Bible translations, continuously improving the app based on feedback, engaging with the user community, and supporting efforts to share the Gospel. Rediscover Your Bible Study. Download Bible Tiles today and experience a more intuitive, personal, and powerful way to engage with the Word.

Screenshots

Cross+Reference4 screens
Bible Tiles4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Bible Tiles at every 2 months against Cross+Reference's every 5 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cross+Reference ships an update every 5 months, Bible Tiles every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Cross+Reference versus Bible Tiles: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCross+ReferenceBible Tiles
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.9 (49 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings—49 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB327 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperOdeon Software Inc.Joseph Yaksich

In-app purchases

None

Cross+Reference

No in-app purchases

None

Bible Tiles

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cross+Reference free?
Cross+Reference is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Bible Tiles free?
Bible Tiles is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cross+Reference or Bible Tiles have ads?
Neither Cross+Reference nor Bible Tiles shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cross+Reference or Bible Tiles?
Cross+Reference ships an update every 5 months, and Bible Tiles every 2 months. Most recently, Cross+Reference was updated on September 10, 2026 and Bible Tiles on September 22, 2026.

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