Comparison

ESV Bible vs Anchored Bible Memory

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

Anchored Bible Memory

This app helps you memorize Bible passages, chapters, and books through guided steps and spaced repetition reviews. It offers multiple Bible versions and various learning methods like flashcards and voice recitation. Premium features unlock unlimited content and advanced tools.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step memorization
  • Spaced repetition reviews
  • Multiple Bible versions
  • Flashcards and typing exercises
  • Voice recitation
  • Progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Anchored helps you learn any passage, chapter, or book of the Bible step by step, then keeps it memorized with reviews timed right before you'd forget. Read and memorize in the KJV, WEB, NASB 1995, LSB, NLT, and NKJV. Bible text is always free. - Start each day with the Verse of the Day - Add verses in seconds: search, paste, or say the references - Learn with guided steps, then review with Flashcards, First-Letter Typing, or your voice - Recite out loud, even hands-free in the car - Memorize together in a private Group - Watch your memory grow with progress insights No ads, no streaks, no social feed. Anchored is focused solely on helping you memorize Scripture. Start free with up to 10 passages, no account needed. Premium adds unlimited passages, whole chapters and books, Voice Recitation, Group creation, Backup History, and detailed progress insights. Terms of Service: https://anchoredbiblememory.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://anchoredbiblememory.com/privacy

Screenshots

ESV Bible4 screens
Anchored Bible Memory4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Anchored Bible Memory at 100% against ESV Bible's 71%. Anchored Bible Memory also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). ESV Bible's advantage is ratings volume (11K vs 8) and chart position (#100 vs unranked). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Anchored Bible Memory sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Anchored Bible Memory holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ESV Bible has 11K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of ESV Bible's written reviews are positive against 100% of Anchored Bible Memory's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ESV Bible ships an update monthly, Anchored Bible Memory every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
ESV Bible versus Anchored Bible Memory: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterESV BibleAnchored Bible Memory
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (11K ratings)4.9 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11K — better8
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
Best chart rank#100 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB195 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCrosswayGarrett Crane

Customer experience

ESV Bible

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

Anchored Bible Memory

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 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

Anchored Bible Memory

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
3 purchases

Anchored Bible Memory

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Premium Annual7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is ESV Bible free?
ESV Bible is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Anchored Bible Memory free?
Anchored Bible Memory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ESV Bible or Anchored Bible Memory?
Anchored Bible Memory is rated higher. ESV Bible averages 4.7 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while Anchored Bible Memory averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.
Do ESV Bible or Anchored Bible Memory have ads?
Neither ESV Bible nor Anchored Bible Memory shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ESV Bible or Anchored Bible Memory?
ESV Bible ships an update monthly, and Anchored Bible Memory every 8 days. Most recently, ESV Bible was updated on November 4, 2026 and Anchored Bible Memory on October 31, 2026.

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