We all know that Android phones are great because of the variety they bring to the smartphone market. Well, that variety isn’t exclusive to the hardware itself, but also applies to the fast growing number of quality apps in the market.
Among those apps are some pretty cool Bible study apps. With such a great variety of tools available at your fingertips, you’ll enjoy having the Word with you where ever you go.
Check out these 6 that you definitely don’t want to miss:
1. YouVersion Bible
YouVersion is probably the biggest Bible app on both Android and iOS and for good reason. It’s free, has 1092 versions of the Bible (at least the last time I checked) in 780 languages as well as audio and video built in too. There are Bible reading plans you can subscribe to as well as a live feature which allows your church or Bible study to set up the verses they will look at during the sermon and allow you to seamlessly follow along on your device.
Finally, you can highlight,bookmark, and add notes within the app which you can keep secret or share with other users.
Why You Might Like It
If you are looking for a free version of the Bible with built in Bible reading plans, and especially if your church or small group uses the live feature, then this is a must have. It’s my default recommendation because it has a great user interface and will probably have your Bible version for free.
However, it doesn’t support side by side translations or have notes from commentaries and Bible dictionaries. I personally view it more as a personal Bible reading app than a Bible study app.
2. CadreBible
CadreBible is a Bible study app with a basic Bible built in. It’s free to download with the KJV and Matthew Henry’s Bible commentary for free. However you can purchase extras such as more Bible versions, commentaries, dictionaries, reading plans and more. You can then have these versions side by side to compare and contrast making use of the larger screen size of many Android phones.
You can also highlight and create notes as you read which you can sync with Evernote.
Why You Might Like It
If you are looking for a tool which has a wide range of options for really getting into the text with commentaries, dictionaries and especially for viewing multiple versions at once, then CadreBible is a great choice for you. Just be warned, extra versions cost more than your typical in app purchase.
3. Olive Tree
Olive Tree from HarperCollins is a collection of apps (not just Android, but also desktop clients too) for viewing Christian resources.
There is an online store where you can access a range of resources such as different versions of the Bible, Bible study guides, commentaries, maps, dictionaries, concordances and more. It also has a nifty split screen feature so you can view two resources side by side.
Why You Might Like It
If you’re John Piper than you’d like this app…No seriously this is the Bible app he personally uses and has endorsed, so that’s something. I really like the split screen function and range of resource and I’m sure you will too. However, some of the interface isn’t very easy to understand or operate. It could be a lot simple. It’s also a great choice if you already have the desktop app.
4. Faithlife Study Bible / Logos
Faithlife is a larger online Christian organization who provide resources. Their Bible app includes a selection of free resources including versions of the Bible, study guides and reading plans. However, Faithlife also provide the Logos resource system which packs a whole host of different resources for your study which you can download to your Android device and access on a computer.
Why You Might Like It
If you really want to get deep into the minute details of each word with cross references, Bible study plans, commentaries, dictionaries and more then you should check out Faithlife’s services. Just be warned, these resources aren’t cheap but pack a host of top quality resources.
5. MySword
MySword is a free (funded by donations) Bible study app which features different translations, Strong’s Greek and Hebrew lexicon, some commentaries and let’s you add your own notes as you study.
It supports tablets and phones and has some handy buttons to quickly access different options. It does follow older Android design guidelines and some of the interface is large and bold.
Why You Might Like It
If you loved the old Android design style, then you’ll love the look of MySword. If you want a free app with good basic features and a good range of resources then this could be a great choice for you.
6. And Bible
And Bible is an open source app which comes with a copy of the ESV Bible on it. You can add other resources to it such as Bible reading plans, Bible commentaries, dictionaries, and maps. In addition there are a whole range of settings and features which you can turn on or off, such as red letters, tilt scrolling (love that one), footnotes, sleep times and more. Like many other options, you can add your notes into the app as well.
Why You Might Like It
If you are a big open source fan then this is the choice for you. It has some great options and setting which you can’t get elsewhere. And Bible has some great extra options to download with more freedom than other more restrictive systems (if you know how and want to).
My Opinion
I had been using YouVersion for a long time, mainly for it’s different language options and nice, clean interface with a great integration of Bible reading plans.
However, thanks to putting together this overview, I’m changing over to CadreBible. The extra features (especially synchronizing my notes into Evernote, the resource library, and the split screen function) really help add value to the studying experience.
Eric Dye says
Stellar list Chris!
Steven Holt says
I have recently started to use And Bible and am really enjoying it. It is excellent when using split screen to use English/Greek. Thanks for this list though. I’m gonna check out some of these others as well!
Chris Wilson says
split screen really is a great function isn’t it. Hope you don’t end up loving them all!
John Finkelde says
I use the Logos Bible app which is basically the Faith Life app on steroids!
Love it!
But I’ll give Cadre a go
Chris Wilson says
You know I wrote this a while back, I still like Cadre but it really feels old fashioned. I know it shouldn’t matter…
Paul Oyler says
I use YouVersion because a former church used the live feature, and I am very used to it. Like the Bible reading plans/studies that it has.
Thanks to this list, I am going to give Olive Tree and FaithLife a tryout. I have a free desktop version of Logos with a lot of books already in that, do you know if the FaithLife app will sync with it? If so, it may become my go-to app.
Chris Wilson says
Hi Paul, I’m not sure if the Faithlife apps sync as I don’t have the desktop software. I agree it would be very useful. I believe you can access your Faithlife content though. Maybe not all of it. Let me know what you find out.
Paul Oyler says
Hi Chris…The Faithlife app does indeed sync up with my free Logos desktop, so I have a very nice Bible study library on my phone now.
Chris Wilson says
Great to hear! What Logos software are you running? I might have to consider getting some software myself.
Matthew says
I have been using the olive tree app over the last year. It has proved useful. I frist started with youversion another great app. I have come to realize like many things in life. Finding a bible app often can come down to personal style and current needs. Enjoyed the reviews thanks and I will pass around for those looking for a bible app.
Sam says
Thanks!!! I was using My sword because I couldn’t get The Word on Android. I didn’t know about The Cadre Bible. I like all the free modules you can download and the pay for modules are reasonably priced.
Rev. Peter says
Thank you for this great compilation ob Bible study apps! If you want to keep God’s Word in your heart, I recommend Bible Memory: Remember Me. Quizzes, flashcards, audio recording, playback and an intelligent review system help you to memorize your favourite verses from 44 Bible versions. It’s so easy to use it is even part of Google Play for Families.
Mathew says
Starting the day reading the Bible is the best! Thank you for providing such a complete article. I also recommend an excellent Bible to read: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=amplified.bible.app Have a nice day!
scribe says
Absolute awesome App for Android
Some discussions about it here: http://www.biblesupport.com/topic/7803-mybible-for-android/
MyBible – Bible App for Android
http://mybible.zone/index-eng.php
http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ua.mybible&hl=en
Clifford Reynolds says
Thanks for this list, Chris. Great comments. I have used CadreBible for several years and have loved all the options and resources. Recently, however, they have stopped responding to my questions and seem to no longer update their app. Do you know who is running that program now? From one of your comments I would surmise that you also have some second thoughts.
Cliff Reynolds
Chris Wilson says
I haven’t heard anything in a while so I wonder if the developer has moved on or can’t keep updating it. It’s a shame and I’m sorry I can’t help you further.
Pedro says
Hi Chirs, mi favorite study bible app is http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjv.study.bible
Shannon says
Hello. I’m new, looking for bible app for easy to read and understand with commentaries, for my mobile android. Please help me find an app to break it down, to understand easier for me.
Thank you.
Vince says
Cadrebible is my fav but like barbecued fritoes and mechum won ton soup in a cup, no longer available!
Dave says
Blue Letter Bible is my fav for study on android, has multi-versions, comparison and Strongs reference all free, but for some resources you need to be online.