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.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. The MacArthur Study Bible sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. LIT Bible asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
The MacArthur Study Bible ships an update monthly, LIT Bible every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.
| Parameter | The MacArthur Study Bible | LIT Bible |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (18K ratings) — better | 3.0 (12 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 65.7% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 18K — better | 12 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 112 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Grace to You | Liberating Scripture Collective |
Customer experience
The MacArthur Study Bible
LIT Bible
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
The MacArthur Study Bible
- John MacArthur’s Study Bible NotesFree
LIT Bible
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is The MacArthur Study Bible free?
Is LIT Bible free?
Which has better reviews, The MacArthur Study Bible or LIT Bible?
Do The MacArthur Study Bible or LIT Bible have ads?
Which is updated more often, The MacArthur Study Bible or LIT Bible?
Other comparisons















