“What is the best Bible study software is a question that is relatively new in terms of human history. It’s only a few short decades that consumers have had the option to study the Bible through digital means as we have today.
Although you will find several fine software versions on this page, LivingPraying.com uses Logos bible software and some of the links on this page are affiliate links.
Best Bible Study Software Programs: Advantages of Digital Bible Study
Here on this site, LivingPraying.com, we have highlighted our view of the best study Bibles for men and the best study Bibles for women. We have written quite a bit on getting the most out of God’s word and have talked about some valuable tools and resources when it comes to Bible study.
So, very quickly I’m going to list 5 of the top Bible Study Software beginning with the one that I use. After the list, I will go into each one of the Bible software programs in more detail.
- Logos Bible Software -Logos has been around for many years and this is our preferred Bible Study software for LivingPraying.com.
- Accordance The Accordance Bible software program would be our 2nd choice. It can serve well for personal bible study and has enough advanced features for those who teach or preach the Bible.
- Olive Tree Bible Software -Olive Tree is a well-established company and is particularly good for mobile Bible reading on the go.
- e-Sword -Number 4 on our list would be e-Sword. For personal study and basic Bible study software, e-Sword is a fine choice.
There is quite a few other software out on the market but we will take a close look at the five that we have just presented. Some of the selection processes that you will have may simply come down to personal preference.
People tend to recommend what is helpful to them and what they find useful. So, what might be the best Bible software for some might be the 2nd or 3rd choice for others. For, I’m growing more and more fond of Logos Bible software because I use it just about every day. If I used Accordance every day I might say the same thing about it.
If you haven’t been accustomed to doing digital Bible Study you won’t regret making at least a small investment to wade into the digital waters. Certainly, I still enjoy the feel of a physical copy of the word of God and keep several nearby.
However, when you need to study a topic for personal study or if someone needs to do sermon preparation or Bible study prep, digital Bible Study software is such an amazing help and can help you get more out of your studies in the study time that you have allotted.
A Closer Look at the Bible Software
Okay, as promised we will take a look at some of the Bible study software programs that we named earlier. Several of these are good for academic studies or personal Bible study both.
Logos Bible Software
In talking about some of the best Bible software that is available am aware that we are a bit biased toward Logos because it’s the one we use here at LivingPraying.com. The basic platform of the Logos world is laid out well and it’s easy to get all of the Biblical information in your library about the topic that you are studying.
The difficulty in describing what Logos will do is the fact that they offer so many levels. They have 8 base packages from the starter plan all the way to the Collectors edition. As with most everything else in life, you get what you pay for. If you have the Start Logos plan, which is not bad at all, you won’t get as many books, Bibles, and other study resources as you will when you pay for one of the more expensive packages like the Silver or Gold package.
In talking about some of the best Bible software that is available am aware that we are a bit biased toward Logos because it’s the one we use here at LivingPraying.com. The basic platform of the Logos world is laid out well and it’s easy to get all of the Biblical information in your library about the topic that you are studying.
The difficulty in describing what Logos will do is the fact that they offer so many levels. They have 8 base packages from the starter plan all the way to the Collectors edition. As with most everything else in life, you get what you pay for. If you have the Start Logos plan, which is not bad at all, you won’t get as many books, Bibles, and other study resources as you will when you pay for one of the more expensive packages like the Silver or Gold package.
You can make the choice to start off with the starter or bronze package and then gradually purchase other books from the logos library until you have everything you want. However, if you can afford to jump into a higher-level plan with more resources, try to do so.
From PhDs to preteens, everyone can benefit from using Logos. First off, Logos Bible Software functions like a virtual library, including both books appropriate for junior high school pupils and others that will test even the most seasoned academics.
Second, when it comes to the software itself, Logos contains both more complex capabilities that merely demand reading and clicking and simpler ones that allow for in-depth investigation into the original languages. The general public, pastors, stay-at-home mothers, and intellectuals have all used and admired this tool.
It’s our opinion that the Logos Bible Software is the best on the market. However, without a doubt, there are some other good ones. Our second choice would be Accordance Bible Software.
Logos can be bought in versions that lean toward the various denominations such as Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc. Or, you can simply buy the standard edition that includes viewpoints from many Christian resources. They are also good about providing a free book of the month to download.
The onboarding and the in-depth user training of the advanced features found in Logos are a plus also. Logos seamlessly puts together your main study Bible, whether you enjoy more modern translations or study from the traditional KJV. You will find your Bible dictionaries, and cross-references of any particular passage. It allows you to explore the depths of any scripture or Biblical topic. You can also use it on your mobile device.
If you are low on funds, Logos also offers a very good payment plan that offers very affordable monthly installments.
Accordance Bible Software
Accordance Bible Software is also very beneficial. It’s easy to use and intuitive, which is ideal for folks who aren’t particularly tech-savvy.
It’s particularly useful to be able to quickly compare many English versions of a verse. Both academic research and sermon preparation benefit greatly from this. We value the variety of resources that are offered, such as lexicons, dictionaries, and classical literature.
Accordance includes mobile apps in addition to the desktop version, making it simple to browse your library and conduct research while on the road.
In addition to a variety of Bible translations, including texts in the original languages, Accordance also provides commentaries, dictionaries, and other reference materials.
The capacity of Accordance to simultaneously search across numerous texts and resources is one of its distinctive features. For in-depth research and study, this can be incredibly beneficial.
Lexicons, interlinear Bibles, and parsing guides are only a few of the resources available in Accordance for learning the Bible’s original languages.
Accordance can be utilized in a classroom or group context in addition to being a personal study aid because it enables users to exchange notes and highlights.
Both Mac and Windows desktops, as well as iOS and Android mobile devices, support Accordance.
Sermon preparation, scholarly research, individual Bible study, and small group study are a few possible applications for Accordance.
Olive Tree Bible Study Software and App
In our opinion, the Olive tree Bible mobile app is quite a good tool for smartphones. Some very high-profile pastors such as Joh Piper have expressed fondness for the Olive Tree as their go-to mobile app.
In terms of Bible study programs, Olive Tree doesn’t necessarily compete on the level of a Logos type of study software. However, it makes contributions to the world of Bible study
User-friendly interface: The Olive Tree Bible Study Software has an easy-to-use interface that is suitable for users of all skill levels.
Due to the availability of a respectable selection of Bible translations, commentaries, dictionaries, and other reference materials, it does have a surprisingly wide array of resources for studying the Bible.
Personalization and customization: The program allows users to set aside particular workspaces, create reading lists, add notes, and mark particular portions in the online library.
Interactive media: The program includes multimedia resources that can help viewers understand the historical and cultural context of the Bible, such as pictures, videos, and maps.
Olive Tree Bible Study Software is practical to use when traveling because it works with both iOS and Android mobile devices.
E-Sword Bible Study Software
Okay, right off the bat we need to give E-Sword a thumbs up for being a most economical Bible Study Software. Bible students and others who do not have the funds for something like Logos, then this may be your option! Yes, if you can invest in something like Logos, then we would recommend that. However, if you are cash-strapped, then don’t be troubled, E- Sword has your back. It used to be only for windows users but now includes Mac options.
Users of E-Sword have access to a number of Bible translations, commentaries, and dictionaries. Strong’s numbers, Strong’s dictionary, and the King James Version of the Bible are all included in this free Bible Software!
The program allows for the addition of additional Bibles, including the American Standard Version, Young’s Literal Translation, and the Good News Translation. The Amplified Bible and the American Standard Study Bible are two copyrighted Bibles that can be downloaded but must be purchased in order to be used with e-Sword.
Additionally, the e-Sword application offers free access to commentaries and dictionaries that may be downloaded and added. A few examples of commentaries are Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Adam Clarke’s Commentary, and Albert Barnes’ Notes. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Definitions, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, and Nave’s Topical Bible are among the dictionaries that can be downloaded.
Wrapping it up
We haven’t tried to hide the fact that we believe that the Logos Bible software is the best Bible Study Software available today. When you open up your dashboard of the Logos software you have the most powerful digital bible study tool available today. The entire library that is available is quite overwhelming in scope.
When you hear criticism about Logos usually it will come down to someone being critical of the price. And, although it does have a free version with very limited resources that you can try, you really need to pay $250-$300 to actually get into a starter plan.
That’s the method that was used here for this website. We got the starter pack for well less than $300 and immediately added some additional Bible translations and a couple of commentaries. So for around $300, we got started with the software and began adding additional books as we can.
Making a Choice
Here’s the deal. The study of the word of God is one of the most important things that you will ever be involved in. Learning and applying god’s word to your life is priceless. So, if you could pay $1000 for the Logos Gold Package or even invest in one of the higher versions of Logos, sure – that would be great. Or, do what we did and invest 250-300 in a starter package and then start adding additional resources to it as you go along.
However, if you can’t, just get what you can afford. If you need something for free, obviously there is the E-Sword program and certainly a lot of free online valuable resources that we have been blessed with to study the greatest book in the world that was given to us from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
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