# ESV Bible vs Anchored Bible Memory

ESV Bible and Anchored Bible Memory both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Anchored Bible Memory's written reviews are positive against 71% of ESV Bible's. Anchored Bible Memory also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly). ESV Bible's advantage is ratings volume (11K vs 8) and chart position (#114 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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.

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.

ESV Bible ships an update monthly, Anchored Bible Memory every 8 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ESV Bible | Anchored Bible Memory |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (11K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/esv-bible/id361797273/reviews) | **[4.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anchored-bible-memory/id6778095227/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **11K** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 70.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#114** | — |
| Size | 34 MB | 195 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Crossway](https://appshunter.io/developer/361797276) | [Garrett Crane](https://appshunter.io/developer/6778095229) |

## What reviewers say

### ESV Bible

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/esv-bible/id361797273)

**Currently charting:** #114 Top Grossing · Reference, #122 Top Free · Reference (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ESV Bible App Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| ESV Bible App Subscription | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Anchored Bible Memory

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anchored-bible-memory/id6778095227)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Annual | $24.99 | per year |
| Premium Lifetime | $79.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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 5, 2026 and Anchored Bible Memory on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*