Comparison

ESV Bible vs Bible Gateway

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

Head to head
About

ESV Bible

Easily read, study, and engage with scripture on your mobile device. Features audio Bibles, customizable reading plans, and in-depth study resources. Sync your notes and highlights across devices.

Highlights
  • Distraction-free reader mode
  • Search by reference, keyword, or phrase
  • Listen to audio Bibles with background music
  • Over 50 Bible reading plans
  • Access to study Bibles and commentaries
  • Personal notes and highlighting
  • Cross-device syncing
Features
Read full description

The ESV Bible app allows you to easily read, study, and engage with God’s Word wherever you go, making it the best possible Bible reading experience for your phone or tablet. Listen to Scripture with audio Bibles and meditate on God’s Word with instrumental background music. Customize your experience with a wide variety of reading plans and thematic playlist options, helping you make daily Bible reading a habit every day. READ THE BIBLE WHEREVER YOU GO • Toggle display options to a streamlined, distraction-free reader's mode • Search tools allow you to quickly search the Bible by reference, keyword, or phrase • Quick access to cross-references LISTEN AND MEDITATE • Listen to the Bible read aloud by acclaimed Christian artists, pastors, and Bible teachers • Voices include Kristyn Getty, Ray Ortlund, Jackie Hill Perry, Michael Reeves, and more • Instrumental background music to help you meditate as you listen • A diverse selection of musical styles, artists, and genres • Individual volume controls allow you to adjust the music and Bible audio separately MAKE A HABIT OF BIBLE READING • Choose from over 50 Bible reading plans • One-year, devotional, and topical plans offer a wide variety of options to fit your lifestyle and reading goals DIVE DEEPER INTO GOD’S WORD • Access the ESV Global Study Bible for free • Subscribe to unlock a full library of study resources, including the ESV Study Bible, ESV Archaeology Study Bible, Preaching the Word commentary series, ESV Expository Commentary series, and more ENGAGE WITH SCRIPTURE • Record your personal reflections using the easy-to-use notes feature • Highlight and bookmark favorite portions of Scripture • All content saved via a free account is synced with ESV.org—giving you access to personal notes, bookmarks, and highlights from any device • Adjust dozens of layout and text settings including font size, red letter, background color, and more UNLOCK PREMIUM FEATURES • Access to the full range of study Bibles, commentaries, and playlists available online and in the app • Over 50 playlists compile thematic verses to guide you through a particular mood, topic, or season Deepen your time in God’s Word with customizable study and audio features available with the ESV Bible app. Download for free today! EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Bible Gateway

Access over 200 Bible translations and audio Bibles in multiple languages. This app allows you to highlight verses, take notes, and sync your progress across devices. An optional subscription unlocks advanced study tools and an ad-free experience.

Highlights
  • 200+ Bible translations
  • 30+ Audio Bibles
  • Keyword and verse search
  • Highlighting and note-taking
  • Reading plans and progress tracking
  • Side-by-side Bible view
  • Verse of the Day
Features
Read full description

Completely rebuilt for Spring 2026 with an all-new design, focused on getting you into Scripture without friction. This is Bible Gateway at its best. Read, listen, and study the Bible anywhere with the Bible Gateway App. Trusted by millions for over 30 years, Bible Gateway helps you read and understand God’s Word with 200+ Bible translations and audio Bibles in 15+ languages—all free to use. Create a free account to highlight verses, write notes, react with emojis, and sync automatically across devices. Want to go deeper? Upgrade to Bible Gateway Plus and get an ad-free experience with access to 60+ trusted study tools, including commentaries, study Bibles, and more—aligned with every verse. Top Features: • 200+ Bible translations, including NIV, KJV, ESV, NKJV, NASB, AMP, and MSG • 30+ Audio Bibles in English, Spanish, Chinese, and more • Search the Bible by keyword, verse, or topic instantly • Highlight, take notes, respond to your favorite verses with emojis and sync across devices with your free account • Follow reading plans and track your progress • View two Bible versions side by side on iPad • Switch to dark mode for comfortable reading at night • Read the Verse of the Day in your preferred translation • Share verses easily with friends and family Want to go deeper? Upgrade to Bible Gateway Plus. Go ad-free and access insights from over 60 trusted Bible study resources—aligned with every verse you read. • 30+ study Bibles such as The NIV Application Bible, The NIV Study Bible, NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, and CSB Tony Evans Study Bible • Commentaries including Believer’s Bible Commentary, Abridged Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Thru the Bible (J. Vernon McGee), and select volumes from the NIV Application Commentary • Dictionaries and word studies like Mounce’s Expository Dictionary, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary, and The Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary Whether you’re beginning your Bible study journey or exploring Scripture in depth, Bible Gateway Plus gives you powerful tools to grow—wherever you are. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ESV Bible4 screens
Bible Gateway4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ESV Bible at 71% against Bible Gateway's 18%. ESV Bible also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.7) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. ESV Bible sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Bible Gateway sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ESV Bible holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11K and 10K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of ESV Bible's written reviews are positive against 18% of Bible Gateway's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ESV Bible ships an update monthly, Bible Gateway every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
ESV Bible versus Bible Gateway: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterESV BibleBible Gateway
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (11K ratings) — better3.7 (10K ratings)
Positive reviews70.9% of reviews — better18.5% of reviews
Number of ratings11K — better10K
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#106#102 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB113 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCrosswayHarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

Customer experience

ESV Bible

All ratings10,593 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews694 reviews
Positive70.9%
Neutral11.2%
Negative17.9%

Bible Gateway

All ratings10,119 ratings
Positive61.8%
Neutral8.5%
Negative29.7%
Written reviews834 reviews
Positive18.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative69.1%

User reviews

ESV Bible

From 11K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth functionality
  • 👍 Elegant, minimal design
  • 👍 Uncluttered reading experience
  • 👍 Variety of narrators and audio options
  • 👍 Useful study resources and commentary

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Glitchy highlighting and note-taking
  • 🐛 Inconsistent reading plan tracking
  • 🐛 Audio playback issues
  • 🔒 Concerns about data collection
  • 💰 Subscription model for full access

Bible Gateway

From 10K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent Bible study tool
  • 🔍 Wide range of translations and languages
  • 🎧 Useful audio Bible feature
  • 📚 Comprehensive Bible resources
  • 🗓️ Helpful reading plans and reminders

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
  • 📱 Compatibility issues with newer devices
  • 💤 Audio playback issues and resets
  • 🔍 Inconsistent search functionality
  • 📝 Limited note-taking and highlighting options

Bugs and requests

ESV Bible

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashing and freezing issues
  • Verses missing from the text
  • Incorrect chapter/verse navigation
  • Disappearing highlights and notes

Requested features

6 requests
  • Ability to customize font size and style
  • Offline audio download option
  • Improved navigation between books and chapters
  • Verse-level highlighting and note-taking
  • Syncing of bookmarks and notes across devices
Show 1 more
  • Verse of the day widget or notification

Bible Gateway

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Verses not displaying correctly
  • Inability to navigate to specific chapters/verses
  • Saved notes and highlights not persisting
  • Audio playback issues and resets

Requested features

5 requests
  • Offline Bible downloads
  • More translation options (e.g., NRSV, Good News)
  • Improved note-taking and highlighting capabilities
  • Customizable font and layout options
  • Seamless syncing across devices

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ESV Bible

Subscriptions2
  • ESV Bible App Subscription7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • ESV Bible App Subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year
5 purchases

Bible Gateway

Subscriptions5
  • Bible Gateway Plus Monthly7 Days trial3 variants$6.991 Month
  • Bible Gateway Plus Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Bible Gateway Plus Yearly$58.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Bible Gateway Plus Yearly7 Days trial3 variants$69.991 Year
  • Bible Gateway Plus Yearly$69.991 Year

Questions

Is ESV Bible free?
ESV Bible is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bible Gateway free?
Bible Gateway is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ESV Bible or Bible Gateway?
ESV Bible is rated higher. ESV Bible averages 4.7 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while Bible Gateway averages 3.7 from 10K ratings.
Do ESV Bible or Bible Gateway have ads?
Bible Gateway shows ads; ESV Bible does not.
Which is updated more often, ESV Bible or Bible Gateway?
ESV Bible ships an update monthly, and Bible Gateway every 3 weeks. Most recently, ESV Bible was updated on November 9, 2026 and Bible Gateway on November 10, 2026.
Which is more popular, ESV Bible or Bible Gateway?
ESV Bible currently peaks at #106 in the App Store charts, and Bible Gateway at #102. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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