# Bible vs English Standard Version

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bible at 99% against English Standard Version's 43%. Bible also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). English Standard Version's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). On price, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. English Standard Version sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Bible asks for nothing beyond the download.

Bible holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bible has 14M ratings behind it against 578, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 99% of Bible's written reviews are positive against 43% of English Standard Version's.

Bible ships an update every 2 weeks, English Standard Version every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bible | English Standard Version |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (14M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bible/id282935706/reviews)** | [4.6 (578 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/english-standard-version-esv/id1574963042/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14M** | 578 |
| Positive reviews | **98.9% of reviews** | 42.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#2** | — |
| Size | 172 MB | 271 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Life.Church](https://appshunter.io/developer/282935709) | [RAVINDHIRAN SUMITHRA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1571016391) |

## What reviewers say

### Bible

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bible/id282935706)

**Currently charting:** #2 Top Free · Reference, #191 Top Free (US App Store)

Access a vast library of Bible versions in multiple languages, listen to audio Bibles, and engage in daily study with friends. Create prayers, add notes, and customize your reading experience with themes and verse images.

**Highlights:** 3,500+ Bible versions, Audio Bibles, Thousands of Reading Plans, Create and organize Prayers, Study with Friends, Offline Bible access, Customizable themes and notes

**Features:** Apple Wallet, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🙏 Brings me closer to God
- 💡 Convenient access to the Bible
- 🚀 Seamless user experience
- 🤝 Connects me with a community of believers
- 📚 Vast selection of Bible versions and reading plans

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔄 Frustrating streak reset issue
- 🕰️ Slow performance on older devices
- 🔍 Difficulty finding specific verses or passages

**Reported bugs**

- Occasional app crashes or freezes
- Syncing issues with reading plans and notes

**Requested features**

- Offline Bible access without needing internet
- More customization options for the user interface
- Improved search and navigation functionality
- Integration with other Bible study tools and resources


### English Standard Version

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/english-standard-version-esv/id1574963042)

This app provides a modern English translation of the Bible, balancing accuracy with readability. It offers features for daily reading, personal study, community interaction, and exploring Christian content.

**Highlights:** Daily Verse notifications, Personalized highlights and notes, Old and New Testaments, Verse Editor for social sharing, Christian eBooks and wallpapers, AI-powered verse explanation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Three Months | $7.99 | one-time |
| One Year | $24.99 | one-time |
| Two Years | $34.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to navigate interface
- 📖 Clear and readable Scripture text
- 🎵 Song videos included
- 💰 Completely free app
- ♿ Accessible for dyslexic users with large text

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📢 Excessive ads interrupting reading experience
- 🐛 App crashes immediately upon opening
- ⚠️ Malicious pop-ups and suspicious security warnings
- 📱 No landscape/tablet rotation support
- 🔤 Spelling and grammar errors in text

**Reported bugs**

- Bookmark/progress not saved between sessions
- App closes immediately on launch
- Jumbled/corrupted text formatting
- Spelling error: 'Revealation' instead of 'Revelation'
- Audio playback not functioning properly

**Requested features**

- Search bar for quick Scripture lookup
- Bible quiz functionality
- Better instructions for audio playback feature
- Paid version option to remove ads


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bible free?

Bible is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is English Standard Version free?

English Standard Version is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Bible or English Standard Version?

Bible is rated higher. Bible averages 4.9 out of 5 from 14M ratings, while English Standard Version averages 4.6 from 578 ratings.

### Do Bible or English Standard Version have ads?

English Standard Version shows ads; Bible does not.

### Which is updated more often, Bible or English Standard Version?

Bible ships an update every 2 weeks, and English Standard Version every 5 months. Most recently, Bible was updated on September 24, 2026 and English Standard Version on September 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*