# Study Gateway vs Lifeway Reader

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Study Gateway at 75% against Lifeway Reader's 3%. Study Gateway also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.2) and ratings volume (900 vs 24). Lifeway Reader's advantage is monetization model (free vs subscription) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Study Gateway holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Study Gateway has 900 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Study Gateway's written reviews are positive against 3% of Lifeway Reader's.

Study Gateway ships an update every 5 months, Lifeway Reader every 3 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Study Gateway | Lifeway Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (900 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/study-gateway/id916234406/reviews)** | [2.2 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lifeway-reader/id1594430709/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **900** | 24 |
| Positive reviews | **75.4% of reviews** | 3.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Size | 68 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/444535393) | [Lifeway Christian Resources](https://appshunter.io/developer/320421928) |

## What reviewers say

### Study Gateway

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/study-gateway/id916234406)

Access a vast library of on-demand video Bible studies from renowned Christian teachers and authors. Explore topics like discipleship, healing, and Christian living through engaging video content. This service is available as part of a subscription.

**Highlights:** On-demand video Bible studies, World-renowned Bible teachers, Thousands of study videos, Discipleship and Christian living topics, Overcoming and healing content, Bible discussion resources

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🙏🏻 Blessed by the studies
- 👍 Helpful for personal and group study
- 📚 Extensive Bible study content
- 🤗 Enjoyable and engaging teaching
- ⚓️ Strengthens faith and relationship with God

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app with login and access issues
- 🤯 Difficult to navigate and find content
- 🔒 Lack of customer support and account management
- 💰 Frustrating subscription and cancellation process

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Unable to access purchased content
- Login and password issues
- Compatibility problems on various devices

**Requested features**

- Improve app stability and user experience
- Provide better customer service and account management
- Simplify subscription and cancellation process


### Lifeway Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lifeway-reader/id1594430709)

Access and study your Lifeway-purchased eBooks, including Bibles and devotionals. Annotate content with notes, highlights, and bookmarks. Easily fill in workbook blanks and view scripture references in pop-up windows.

**Highlights:** Read Lifeway eBooks and eBibles, Annotate with notes, highlights, bookmarks, Fill-in-the-blank workbook support, Scripture reference pop-ups, Search within books and library, Includes free Bible versions

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Study Gateway free?

Study Gateway is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Lifeway Reader free?

Lifeway Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Study Gateway or Lifeway Reader?

Study Gateway is rated higher. Study Gateway averages 4.2 out of 5 from 900 ratings, while Lifeway Reader averages 2.2 from 24 ratings.

### Do Study Gateway or Lifeway Reader have ads?

Neither Study Gateway nor Lifeway Reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Study Gateway or Lifeway Reader?

Study Gateway ships an update every 5 months, and Lifeway Reader every 3 months. Most recently, Study Gateway was updated on September 24, 2026 and Lifeway Reader on September 24, 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.*