# NIV Bible App + vs Message Bible MSG (Audio)

The clearest difference is ads: NIV Bible App + at none against Message Bible MSG (Audio)'s shown. NIV Bible App + also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (156K vs 18). Message Bible MSG (Audio)'s advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 91%) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NIV Bible App + sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Message Bible MSG (Audio) sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for NIV Bible App + against 4.8 for Message Bible MSG (Audio). That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NIV Bible App + has 156K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of NIV Bible App +'s written reviews are positive against 100% of Message Bible MSG (Audio)'s.

NIV Bible App + ships an update fortnightly, Message Bible MSG (Audio) every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NIV Bible App + | Message Bible MSG (Audio) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (156K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/niv-bible-app-plus/id291270748/reviews) | [4.8 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/message-bible-msg-audio/id6450768255/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **156K** | 18 |
| Positive reviews | 90.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#168** | — |
| Size | 98 MB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gospel Technologies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1531548977) | [Anandhaprabakaran Balasubramaniyan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1660935968) |

## What reviewers say

### NIV Bible App +

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/niv-bible-app-plus/id291270748)

**Currently charting:** #168 Top Free · Reference (US App Store)

This app provides tools for reading, studying, listening to, and watching biblical content. It offers free Bible translations and resources, with options to purchase additional study materials or subscribe to curated packs. Access to videos and audiobooks enhances the study experience.

**Highlights:** Read Bible translations, Study resources, Audio Bibles and books, Watch biblical videos, Devotional reading plans, Subscription study packs

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starter Pack Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| ESV Study Pack Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| NIV Study Pack Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| NKJV Study Pack Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| NLT Bible Study Pack Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| NIV Study Pack Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| NIV Bible | Free | one-time |
| New Living Translation - NLT | $9.99 | one-time |
| The Message - MSG | $11.99 | one-time |
| NIV Study Bible Notes | $29.99 | one-time |
| ESV Study Bible | $47.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient to have Bible on phone
- 🚀 Helpful features like notes, highlights, and search
- 🚀 Ability to switch between translations
- 🚀 Offline access to Bible

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🐛 Difficulty with highlighting and note-taking
- 🔒 Concerns about subscription/payment model
- 🔒 Issues with login and account creation

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes or freezes when trying to access certain features
- Inability to update or change Bible version
- Verse references not displaying correctly

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved highlighting and note-taking functionality
- More customization options
- Ability to select specific Bible versions
- Better integration with other Bible study tools


### Message Bible MSG (Audio)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/message-bible-msg-audio/id6450768255)

Read and listen to the Holy Message Bible with Old and New Testament books. Features include daily verses, night mode, and the ability to highlight, bookmark, and take notes. Test your biblical knowledge with a challenging Bible quiz game.

**Highlights:** Read and listen to the Holy Bible, Daily inspirational verses, Night reading mode, Highlight, bookmark, and take notes, Organized personal library, Bible quiz game with scoring

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| IAP Coins Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| IAP Coins Pack2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| IAP Coins Pack 3 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Six Months Ads Free | $5.99 | one-time |
| One Year Pro | $9.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Pro | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NIV Bible App + free?

NIV Bible App + is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Message Bible MSG (Audio) free?

Message Bible MSG (Audio) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, NIV Bible App + or Message Bible MSG (Audio)?

NIV Bible App + and Message Bible MSG (Audio) are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 156K and 18 ratings respectively.

### Do NIV Bible App + or Message Bible MSG (Audio) have ads?

Message Bible MSG (Audio) shows ads; NIV Bible App + does not.

### Which is updated more often, NIV Bible App + or Message Bible MSG (Audio)?

NIV Bible App + ships an update fortnightly, and Message Bible MSG (Audio) every 4 months. Most recently, NIV Bible App + was updated on September 28, 2026 and Message Bible MSG (Audio) on September 21, 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.*