Comparison

ESV Bible vs My Study Bible App

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

My Study Bible App

Engage more deeply with Scripture daily through personalized Bible reading and study tools. Features include note-taking, verse highlighting, favorite verse saving, reading history, and guided study topics. Explore visual biblical studies and customize your profile for a tailored experience.

Highlights
  • Bible reading with translation choice
  • Personalized notes and highlights
  • Save favorite verses
  • Track reading history and streaks
  • Keyword Bible search
  • AI-assisted guided study tools
  • Visual Bible studies (maps, timelines)
Features
Read full description

My Study Bible is a personalized Bible reading and study app designed to help you engage more deeply with Scripture every day. Read the Bible, take notes, highlight verses, save favorites, track your reading, search passages, and use guided study tools — all in one place. FEATURES • Bible Reading Choose your translation, book, chapter, and verse, and switch between focused verse view and full-chapter reading. • Notes & Highlights Add personal notes and highlights to verses so you can capture thoughts, insights, and reflections as you study. • Favorite Verses Save meaningful passages and quickly return to them later. • Reading History & Streaks Track what you have read and build a consistent daily reading habit. • Bible Search Search by keyword to quickly find verses and passages. • Guided Study Tools Explore curated study topics and AI-assisted study series with Scripture references, explanations, and comprehension questions. • Visual Bible Studies Explore biblical maps, archaeological locations, timelines, tabernacle studies, and other visual learning tools. • Personalized Profile Customize your profile, choose preferred backgrounds, and save important spiritual milestone dates. • Daily Reading Reminders Opt in to daily push notifications at a time you choose to help maintain your reading routine. • Support & Account Control Access support, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and account deletion tools directly from the app. MY STUDY BIBLE YOUR WAY Whether you want to read a few verses each day, take detailed study notes, search Scripture, explore biblical history, or build a consistent reading habit, My Study Bible brings your study tools together in one convenient app. My Study Bible is available as a paid App Store download. After purchase, users receive access to the full app experience with no additional subscription required.

Screenshots

ESV Bible4 screens
My Study Bible App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: My Study Bible App at none against ESV Bible's 2. My Study Bible App also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). ESV Bible's advantage is ratings volume (11K vs 3) and chart position (#100 vs unranked). On price, ads, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

My Study Bible App 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 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
ESV Bible versus My Study Bible App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterESV BibleMy Study Bible App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (11K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings11K — better3
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
Best chart rank#100 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB193 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCrosswayReggie Jorgensen

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

My Study Bible App

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

My Study Bible App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ESV Bible free?
ESV Bible is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is My Study Bible App free?
My Study Bible App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ESV Bible or My Study Bible App?
My Study Bible App is rated higher. ESV Bible averages 4.7 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while My Study Bible App averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do ESV Bible or My Study Bible App have ads?
Neither ESV Bible nor My Study Bible App shows ads.

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