Comparison

ESV Bible vs Memorize Scripture Verses

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

Memorize Scripture Verses

This app aids in memorizing Bible verses through an interactive word-hiding and revealing method. Users can utilize pre-selected verses or input their own, tracking their progress at their own pace.

Highlights
  • Interactive word hiding and revealing
  • Preselected verse lists
  • Custom verse input
  • Progress tracking
  • Meditative scripture study
Features
Read full description

Memorize Scripture Verses uses a simple technique to help you remember the words of the Bible. You can use the preselected list of verses or enter your own. The app will hide some of the words and you can reveal them one at a time -- or all at once by pressing the bar on the bottom. The app keeps track of your progress, but you can work at your own pace. When you have a few moments of downtime, why not open up Memorize Scripture Verses and meditate on God's word?

Screenshots

ESV Bible4 screens
Memorize Scripture Verses4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ESV Bible at Free against Memorize Scripture Verses's $0.99. ESV Bible also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (11K vs 3). Memorize Scripture Verses's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (100% vs 71%). On ads 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

ESV Bible is free to download; Memorize Scripture Verses costs $0.99 up front. ESV Bible sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Memorize Scripture Verses asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ESV Bible holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ESV Bible has 11K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 71% of ESV Bible's written reviews are positive against 100% of Memorize Scripture Verses's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ESV Bible ships an update monthly, Memorize Scripture Verses fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
ESV Bible versus Memorize Scripture Verses: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterESV BibleMemorize Scripture Verses
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.7 (11K ratings) — better4.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews70.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11K — better3
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
Best chart rank#109 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCrosswayBig Icon, LLC

Customer experience

ESV Bible

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

Memorize Scripture Verses

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Memorize Scripture Verses

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

Memorize Scripture Verses

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ESV Bible free?
ESV Bible is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Memorize Scripture Verses free?
Memorize Scripture Verses costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ESV Bible or Memorize Scripture Verses?
ESV Bible is rated higher. ESV Bible averages 4.7 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while Memorize Scripture Verses averages 4.0 from 3 ratings.
Do ESV Bible or Memorize Scripture Verses have ads?
Neither ESV Bible nor Memorize Scripture Verses shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ESV Bible or Memorize Scripture Verses?
ESV Bible ships an update monthly, and Memorize Scripture Verses fortnightly. Most recently, ESV Bible was updated on November 12, 2026 and Memorize Scripture Verses on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons