# New International Version vs Message Bible (MSG) Audio*

The clearest difference is update cadence: New International Version at every 3 months against Message Bible (MSG) Audio*'s every 42 months. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. New International Version sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Message Bible (MSG) Audio* sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.49 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for New International Version against 4.8 for Message Bible (MSG) Audio*. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7.5K and 2.9K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 47% and 46% positive.

New International Version ships an update every 3 months, Message Bible (MSG) Audio* every 42 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | New International Version | Message Bible (MSG) Audio* |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (7.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-international-version/id988481891/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/message-bible-msg-audio/id1570435369/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7.5K** | 2.9K |
| Positive reviews | **46.5% of reviews** | 46.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 42 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 281 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [RAVINDHIRAN SUMITHRA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1571016391) | [RAVINDHIRAN ANAND](https://appshunter.io/developer/1479882196) |

## What reviewers say

### New International Version

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-international-version/id988481891)

Access a popular modern English translation of the Holy Bible, known for its clarity, accuracy, and faithfulness to original texts. This digital version is ideal for personal study, group discussions, teaching, and worship, making scripture accessible to millions.

**Highlights:** Modern English translation, Clear and accurate scripture, Faithful to original texts, Ideal for personal study, Suitable for study groups, Contemporary language

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Three Months | $7.99 | one-time |
| Ads Free Version - Life Time | $12.99 | one-time |
| One Year | $24.99 | one-time |
| Two Years | $34.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to read and understand
- 🙏 Helps with daily Bible reading
- 💡 Ability to highlight and bookmark verses
- 🎨 Refreshing and modern format

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Verses/chapters displayed incorrectly
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find books/chapters
- 💸 Ads disrupt reading experience
- 🔄 Resets to Genesis when reopening app

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect verse/chapter content displayed
- App crashes or freezes when opening certain books
- Purchased ad-free version still shows ads

**Requested features**

- Display book names instead of chapter numbers
- Add option to disable ads or purchase ad-free version
- Improve bookmarking and resume reading functionality
- Provide more intuitive navigation between books and chapters


### Message Bible (MSG) Audio*

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/message-bible-msg-audio/id1570435369)

Access and study the Message translation of the Holy Bible with audio playback, reading plans, and customization options.  Features include offline access, shareable verse images, and note-taking capabilities.

**Highlights:** Offline reading, Audio Bible playback, Customizable fonts and text size, Verse image creation, Highlighting and bookmarking, Verse sharing, Note-taking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ads Free Version - AutoOneYear | $5.49 | per year |
| Ads Free Version - One Year | $4.99 | one-time |
| Ads Free Version - Life Time | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great app
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Helpful for staying connected to God

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Malfunctioning app
- 🐛 Navigation issues
- 🐛 Incorrect Bible verse
- 🐛 Daily verse not updating

**Reported bugs**

- Audio reading from different Bible version
- App gets stuck on cover page
- Verses showing future dates
- Feedback page not working

**Requested features**

- Fix difficulty creating images
- Add copy-paste option for verses
- Improve text formatting and wrapping


## Frequently asked questions

### Is New International Version free?

New International Version is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Message Bible (MSG) Audio* free?

Message Bible (MSG) Audio* is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, New International Version or Message Bible (MSG) Audio*?

Message Bible (MSG) Audio* is rated higher. New International Version averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.5K ratings, while Message Bible (MSG) Audio* averages 4.8 from 2.9K ratings.

### Do New International Version or Message Bible (MSG) Audio* have ads?

Both New International Version and Message Bible (MSG) Audio* show ads.

### Which is updated more often, New International Version or Message Bible (MSG) Audio*?

New International Version ships an update every 3 months, and Message Bible (MSG) Audio* every 42 months. Most recently, New International Version was updated on October 23, 2026 and Message Bible (MSG) Audio* on October 22, 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.*