Comparison

The MacArthur Study Bible vs LIT Bible

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

The MacArthur Study Bible

Access a vast library of biblical resources, including multiple scripture translations and over 3,000 sermons. Enhance your understanding with study notes, articles, and daily devotionals. Synchronize your personal data across devices for a seamless study experience.

Highlights
  • Multiple Bible translations (ESV, NAS, KJV)
  • Extensive sermon archive
  • Highlighting and note-taking
  • Daily Bible reading plan
  • Study guides and articles
  • Cross-device data synchronization
Features
Read full description

For over half a century, Pastor John MacArthur devoted himself to helping you know and love God by helping you understand His Word. Now, imagine a Bible that gives you instant access to all of John’s insights on the passage you’re reading—one you can carry in your pocket. The MacArthur Study Bible app makes that a reality. - Read or listen to Scripture in trusted translations like the NAS, LSB, ESV, or KJV - Go deeper with John’s study guides, articles, related sermons, and daily devotionals - Highlight Bible passages, add your own notes, and bookmark verses - Customize your reading experience with font and display options - Synchronize your progress and data on multiple devices And now, with your free Grace to You account, you’ll also have access to John’s Notes from The MacArthur Study Bible, including nearly 25,000 detailed comments that help explain virtually every passage in the Bible. Along with the notes are dozens of articles, charts, maps, and helpful introductions to each book of the Bible—all designed to help you understand God’s Word more clearly. For more information about Grace to You, the Bible-teaching ministry of John MacArthur, please visit gty.org.

About

LIT Bible

Experience the New Testament translated from Greek with a focus on liberation and inclusion. This app offers a unique perspective, free from jargon and shame, with features like continuous scrolling, customizable reading modes, and personal notes. It's designed for deep engagement with scripture.

Highlights
  • New Testament translation from Greek
  • Translator footnotes and glossary
  • Continuous scroll reading
  • Customizable verse/chapter display
  • Highlighting and note-taking
  • iCloud sync
  • Revised Common Lectionary
Features
Read full description

The New Testament was written by the oppressed, for the oppressed. Most translations buried that. Welcome to the Liberation & Inclusion Translation — a New Testament translated directly from the Greek by Brandon Vélez Johnson, a therapist and theologian who reads scripture from the perspective of those it was written to liberate. No jargon where the Greek didn't use jargon. No shame where Jesus didn't deal in shame. A God who looks like Jesus, throughout. It's free. It's offline-first. It requires no account. And it's crafted for reading. THE TRANSLATION — The New Testament, translated with faithfulness to the Greek and the people it speaks to most — 5700+ footnotes from the translator, inline as you read — Glossary of the biggest word changes and a guide to the Translation Commitments — Updated periodically for voice and fresh scholarship THE APP — Read entire books in a continuous scroll, not tapping through chapter by chapter — Hide verse & chapter numbers and footnotes to focus on the Bible as literature — Share your hot take on a passage with cards hand-rolled for sharing — Highlight passages, take notes in the margins, pin footnotes, and sync it all between iPhone and iPad — Easily follow lectionary readings, and find when any verse will be read in the RCL next — Accent color changes with the church calendar, or pick your own Supported by voluntary donations to the Liberating Scripture Collective. Every word stays free, and ad-free.

Screenshots

The MacArthur Study Bible4 screens
LIT Bible4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: The MacArthur Study Bible at 4.9 against LIT Bible's 3.0. The MacArthur Study Bible also leads on ratings volume (18K vs 12) and review sentiment (66% vs 50%). LIT Bible's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. The MacArthur Study Bible sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. LIT Bible asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The MacArthur Study Bible holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The MacArthur Study Bible has 18K ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of The MacArthur Study Bible's written reviews are positive against 50% of LIT Bible's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The MacArthur Study Bible ships an update monthly, LIT Bible every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
The MacArthur Study Bible versus LIT Bible: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe MacArthur Study BibleLIT Bible
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (18K ratings) — better3.0 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews65.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings18K — better12
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB38 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperGrace to YouLiberating Scripture Collective

Customer experience

The MacArthur Study Bible

All ratings17,640 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral1.3%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews510 reviews
Positive65.7%
Neutral11.6%
Negative22.7%

LIT Bible

All ratings12 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

The MacArthur Study Bible

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to create account
  • Inability to access saved notes and highlights
  • Incompatibility issues with newer iOS devices
  • Devotionals not updating regularly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Support for more Bible translations (e.g. NIV, NLT)
  • Improved highlighting and note-taking capabilities
  • Seamless syncing across devices
  • Customizable font and theme options
  • Better integration with other Bible study tools

LIT Bible

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

The MacArthur Study Bible

One-time1
  • John MacArthur’s Study Bible NotesFree
None

LIT Bible

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is The MacArthur Study Bible free?
The MacArthur Study Bible is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LIT Bible free?
LIT Bible is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, The MacArthur Study Bible or LIT Bible?
The MacArthur Study Bible is rated higher. The MacArthur Study Bible averages 4.9 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while LIT Bible averages 3.0 from 12 ratings.
Do The MacArthur Study Bible or LIT Bible have ads?
Neither The MacArthur Study Bible nor LIT Bible shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The MacArthur Study Bible or LIT Bible?
The MacArthur Study Bible ships an update monthly, and LIT Bible every 3 weeks. Most recently, The MacArthur Study Bible was updated on November 10, 2026 and LIT Bible on November 10, 2026.

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