Comparison

ESV Bible vs Theophilus

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

Theophilus

This app offers a deep dive into scripture with multiple translations, historical context, and ancient writings. It includes commentaries, biblical dictionaries, and tools for journaling, memorization, and prayer. Users can also connect with others for community study and encouragement.

Highlights
  • Multiple Bible translations (BSB, KJV, WEB)
  • Instant verse context and historical information
  • Access to 30 public domain commentaries
  • Writings from 1st-century church fathers
  • In-depth study of people, places, and archaeology
  • Journaling with verse detection and prayer tracking
  • Community features for sharing and group study
Features
Read full description

Theophilus is a discipleship app for people who want more than a daily verse. Whether you're new to faith or have walked with God for decades, Theophilus meets you where you are and takes you deeper. READ THE WORD Read scripture in BSB, KJV, and WEB with clean typography. Tap any verse for instant context — who wrote it, when, and what was happening historically. Access original Hebrew and Greek through a built-in biblical dictionary. Compare translations and explore manuscript variants. 30 COMMENTARIES Access 30 public domain commentaries from 96 AD to today — Pulpit Commentary, Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke, John Gill, and more. Every commentary linked directly to the verse you're reading. No subscriptions. No paywalls. 1ST CENTURY CHURCH Read the actual writings of Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, and more — the men who knew the Apostles. STUDY DEEP Explore the people, places, and archaeology of the ancient world. Defend your faith with evidence-based answers. Navigate honest theological discussions grounded in scripture and history. GROW & PRAY Journal with verse detection and Church Mode. Track memorized verses. Follow reading plans. Keep a prayer journal with verse-tied prayers and answered prayer tracking. GATHER Share verses, testimonies, and encouragement. Create community groups. Study together. Message friends. Theophilus. It means lover of God. This was built for you.

Screenshots

ESV Bible4 screens
Theophilus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Theophilus at none against ESV Bible's 2. Theophilus also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 71%) and update cadence (every 11 days vs monthly). ESV Bible's advantage is ratings volume (11K vs 3) and chart position (#109 vs unranked). On price, rating, 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

Both are free to download. ESV Bible sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Theophilus asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for ESV Bible against 4.7 for Theophilus. 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 are what separate them: 71% of ESV Bible's written reviews are positive against 100% of Theophilus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ESV Bible ships an update monthly, Theophilus every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
ESV Bible versus Theophilus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterESV BibleTheophilus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (11K ratings) — better4.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews70.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11K — better3
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
Best chart rank#109 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCrosswayBrandon Brown

Customer experience

ESV Bible

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

Theophilus

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

Theophilus

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

Theophilus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ESV Bible free?
ESV Bible is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Theophilus free?
Theophilus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ESV Bible or Theophilus?
ESV Bible is rated higher. ESV Bible averages 4.7 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while Theophilus averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do ESV Bible or Theophilus have ads?
Neither ESV Bible nor Theophilus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ESV Bible or Theophilus?
ESV Bible ships an update monthly, and Theophilus every 11 days. Most recently, ESV Bible was updated on November 4, 2026 and Theophilus on October 31, 2026.

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