Reading a Bible app on your computer, tablet, or phone has never been easier. Bob has his own “5 Bark Review” system for all the most popular apps and sites available.
Technology exists to serve you, and not the other way around. You don’t have to be a tech geek to use a good Bible App. Bob enjoys a challenge when it comes to tracking down Bible content, but he turns his nose up and goes the other way if technology makes it too hard to sniff around – which is why he looks for these 5 criteria for reading the Bible electronically:
1. Easy Access
One of the great things about technology is that there is the ability to have easy access to so many different versions of the Bible, all in one handy place. Bob and I look for our favorite versions and translations of the Bible when we consider downloading a Bible App on the smartphone or tablet. If you aren’t sure which Bible version you like, using an app with easy access to a variety of versions is a great way to discover which one best connects with you.
Tip: Study Bibles with lots of footnotes, references, articles, and study notes don’t typically work very well on electronic formats. If this is the kind of Bible you’re interested in, it’s best to get an actual physical Bible (see Bibles & Reviews).
Tip: Avoid downloading several Bible Apps with just one version. They take up a lot more space on your device and tend to slow down the phone or tablet’s performance.
2. Easy Navigation
Being able to find what you’re looking for quickly and easily is essential to any Bible App. The ability to effortlessly move: from one version to another; from one book of the Bible to another; and, from one menu to another; is important. You wouldn’t want to be frustrated, lose your temper, and swear at the Bible.
Tip: Download a free Bible App from the app store on your device. Discover how easy or hard it is to get around on it. If you don’t like it, simply delete it and try another one.
Tip: If it takes you more than 30 seconds to figure out how to read the Bible once you have it downloaded because you can’t find the electronic menu(s), that probably isn’t the app for you.
3. Easy Reading
You’ve downloaded an app. You easily found where you want to read. Now, you want to be able to read it without difficulty. You should be able to adjust the font size (that is, the size of the words themselves) easily, so you don’t have to strain or squint.
Tip: Turn your device in different directions while looking at the screen. If the font size keeps changing with each movement, you’ll likely be unhappy with the app in the future.
Tip: If you need to make constant adjustments within the app just to read it comfortably, that isn’t normal. Go for another app.
4. Easy Information
Many Bible Apps have easy reading plans, suggestions for daily thoughts on the Bible, ability to take notes and access them easily, and plenty of information for you to know the Bible better. Obtaining information shouldn’t be hard for you.
Tip: If you don’t want lots of other information available to you other than the Bible text itself, that’s okay. Just ensure that the previous three criteria are met so that you have a good experience with the Bible.
Tip: If you do want plenty of information available at your fingertips, think about what is most important to you, and look for an app that meets your needs.
5. Easy Sharing & Connection
One of the beauties of electronic Bibles is the ease for which we can share what we’re reading and learning. Connecting with friends or discovering new friends, is a clear strength of using a Bible App.
Tip: Not all Bible Apps allow for sharing and connection. Even if this is not something you are interested in now, you might find that later it is. So, we recommend you use an app that lends itself to an ease of sharing and learning together. You don’t have to use that function if you don’t want to.
Tip: If you don’t feel very confident with technology and/or with sharing and connecting because of your lack of knowledge, that’s okay. Consider getting out of your comfort zone and trying it. You’ll find lots of people on the same trail, sniffing for how to read and learn and grow. You might even run into Bob (did I mention he’s not very tech savvy?).
Right now, Bob and I have two Bible Apps which we use almost every day (and they’re both free downloads):
A video of this page’s content can be found at You Tube – How to Choose a Bible App
This page, along with the entire site, is under Bob’s nose right now. Please be patient with him (he’s not as tech savvy as me). We’ll have some great content and reviews for you. Come on back and check in from time to time.
Feel free to leave us a comment, or go the Contact page to drop us a suggestion, ask a question, or just connect.
Thanks. See you on the trail.
