ESV Bible vs Fathers
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ESV Bible
Engage with scripture through reading, listening, and in-depth study. This app offers customizable reading plans, audio Bibles with background music, and tools for reflection and annotation. Unlock premium study resources for a deeper understanding of God's Word.
- Distraction-free reader's mode
- Search by reference, keyword, or phrase
- Audio Bibles with instrumental music
- Over 50 Bible reading plans
- Free ESV Global Study Bible access
- Notes, highlighting, and bookmarking
- Sync content with ESV.org
Read full descriptionHide 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/
Fathers
Explore the timeless insights of the early Christian Fathers on every verse of the Bible. This app offers a deep dive into their interpretations, providing a rich, offline resource for study and reflection without requiring an internet connection.
- Commentary on every Bible verse
- Offline access
- Insights from Augustine, Origen, Tertullian
- Authorized mirror of jennica.github.io
- Simple, intuitive design
Read full descriptionHide full description
FathersApp: Wisdom of the Early Church, Offline "‘In the beginning was the Word’ (John 1:1)—what did the early Christian Fathers think of this and every other verse in the Bible? FathersApp brings you a deep dive into their timeless insights, right at your fingertips, no internet required." Explore the thoughts of the Church Fathers—figures like Augustine, Origen, and Tertullian—on every chapter and verse of Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, uncover how these foundational thinkers interpreted the Word, offering wisdom that shaped the early Church. Whether you’re a scholar, pastor, or curious believer, FathersApp delivers a rich, offline resource for study and reflection. Mirroring the acclaimed jennica.github.io with full authorization from Jennica, FathersApp takes her online treasury offline. Access this wealth of commentary anytime, anywhere—no Wi-Fi, no data, just you and the Fathers’ words. Key Features: Commentary on every Bible verse by early Church Fathers. Fully offline—perfect for travel, retreats, or spotty connections. Authorized mirror of jennica.github.io, crafted with Jennica’s approval. Simple, intuitive design for seamless exploration. Dive into the roots of Christian thought with FathersApp—download now and let the Fathers guide your journey through Scripture!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: ESV Bible at Free against Fathers's $2.99. ESV Bible also leads on ratings volume (11K vs 2). Fathers's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On ads, chart position, device support and iOS requirement 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
ESV Bible is free to download; Fathers costs $2.99 up front. ESV Bible sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Fathers asks for nothing beyond the download.
Fathers holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ESV Bible has 11K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | ESV Bible | Fathers |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (11K ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 70.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 11K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #107 — better | #162 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 180 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Crossway | Pierce Wetter |
Customer experience
ESV Bible
Fathers
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 moreShow fewer
- Verse of the day widget or notification
Fathers
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
ESV Bible
- ESV Bible App Subscription7 Days trial$3.991 Month
- ESV Bible App Subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Fathers
No in-app purchases









