Bible App - Read & Study Daily Reviews

by Ironsidefan

I used the original Olive Tree App for the Amplified Translation Classic version until just recently when because of course its not having any longer been updated it was no longer able to be accessed via Apple’s current software update. I had this current app installed back when informed about it, and used both it, and the old app Justin’s an alternate means to keep track of my daily reading. I’ve been forced by health circumstances to be now using the audio feature for the New American Standard Bible provided on the UVerse Bible app (it doesn’t have that function for the Amplified Bible - Classic or otherwise on there). Today I went looking on the Apple App Store for an Amplified Bible app that provides that feature. I found several, but in confirmation I guess of what seemed to be the case when I checked one the Olive Tree Bible app I could still find nothing indicating there is an available audio feature for the Amplified Bible Classic version or otherwise on it. I am going I guess to purchase one of those Amplified Bible apps that does have the audio feature since I need that capability and BibleApp appears not to still have it (I’ve checked to see about that a number of times over the years).

by Thankfullyredeemed77

I like the many resources you can have in one place with this. They made a major change to the appearance of BibleApp , maybe one year ago though. I liked the old look a lot more. Now I have to hide the tool bar when I'm reading, otherwise the appearance is too jarring and distracting from my reading. The study window where you can read another translation, or dictionary is more cumbersome now. It used to have a cute little tab that blended in nicely when not in use, and could be easily pulled up when needed. I don't know if it was visible with the tool bar hidden, because I never used to hide the tool bar. I now have to display the tool bar to make the study window "plus" sign visible, which also has study window written out over a not so nice green color. The tool bar has a shopping cart in the middle now, which sits right at the top of your screen. I can only surmise that the makers of BibleApp are moo concerned with us buying things than us enjoying our Bible reading experience. One good change is easier access to a Bible reading plan with a button on the tool bar.

by IaboG

I have read through the Bible now for over 25 years. I have used this program for over 5 years. I get concerned about every update. I accidentally updated on my phone a couple of years ago, but every update has been a challenge to get used to. This last one I don’t like not seeing the projected end date. I still have the older version on my iPad. The only reason I continue using BibleApp and trying to adjust to the changes is because I’m committed to reading God’s Word every morning.

Part 2
I have discovered another thing I miss. On the older version, when I select reading plans it shows My Plans and has a list of all the times I have completed a plan. I am finishing my 6th year of reading Life Journal in BibleApp. Before that I was using the Victory Bible Reading Plan from Omega Ministries for over 20 years.
I do like the ability to have a Bible app on my iPad and iPhone that has a good through the Bible in a year plan. This has been a plus for me. I haven’t found any Bible apps that have a Bible reading plan that I like as well as Life Journal. I have other Bible apps, but this is the one I use the most. I have just struggled with some of the changes that are made.

by ExDroidUser

I love the Olive Tree Bible App! There is within it the ability to have multiple bookmarks so that you can read from the Pentateuch, the Books of History, the Books of Poetry, the Books of The Prophets, and from The New Testament all at once! If you do this, read one chapter per day from all 5 of the different Sections of The Bible, you will read the Old Testament 1.5 times per year and The New Testament 1.4 times per year. If you want to step your game up, you can read 2 chapters from each of the different genres in the Old Testament per day, and 3 chapters from The New Testament per day. Doing this will get you through The Old Testament 3.14 times per year, and through The New Testament 4.21 times per year! Thank God that I’ve finally found a Bible App that offers multiple translations and multiple bookmarks! YouVersion is also helpful, Faithlife’s Lexham English Bible app is good (a different translation than anyone else has), Bible Hub is fantastic if you really want a deep dive into each individual word of Scripture, R.C. Sproul’s Ligonier App is wonderful also. For those brave enough for Olde English, Matthew Henry’s Commentary app is good too!

(Edit: Synching between iPhone and iPad versions is somewhat problematic.)

by Zipur74

I got a slow start on BibleApp. I couldn’t get over reading a device while in church. Well for the past several months I have forced myself into BibleApp. I figured; Hey I paid for this IPAD I mint as well use it! Know I can’t move without my IPAD, not for games, email or text, its for this Olive Tree Bible App. I can’t tell you how often a thought comes to mind and I can pop into BibleApp and check it out. I have all the Life Applications Bibles set plus several other translations, dictionary, commentaries, Name, just everything. My Bible study has increased and best of all my understanding has increased. I love the Highlights which will highlight All my bibles at the same time. I love the ability to read two translations at the same time. I love to have the Strongs Version open while reading the Message Bible or NLT Bible. I love how my notes save to the OT web site AND my every notes. I love how I can organize my notes under topics with their own icons. I love the history button where I can quickly jump back to versus I was just reading. I love to be able to take sermon notes and attach to the verse. Sorry I can go on and on and on about BibleApp. As I said this Application is the most significant application you will ever load or use. Spend Time In the Bible Every Day! ...

by WenAllen

Olive Tree is my everyday Bible. I've been using it for several years now and it is the best. The available Bible versions includes most every version I've ever encountered. BibleApp options are complete. The text display is excellent. The notes and highlighting features are well designed and I use them frequently. In addition to all of that the daily reading guides include the reading guide I've been using for many years and consider to be the best - Robert Murray McCheyne's reading guide.

Olive Tree is my go to Bible and I would recommend it to anyone. It has everything you need in an electronic Bible and has served my purposes better than any other I have used.

An update: to make BibleApp even better, Olive Tree developed a new WordPress sharing interface that is superb! It allows one to seamlessly update their WordPress site with notes created in the Olive Tree app. Very cool and so easy to use! It has allowed me to easily archive my Bible notes on my WordPress site for the benefit of my friends and family. Olive Tree is the best Bible app around in my humble opinion. :)

by Northport Dad

I really like BibleApp. I like having my notes, bookmarks, etc available on all my devices. I also enjoy having a split screen where each "pane" tracks the other so the commentary for whatever I'm reading is always just on the other side of the screen. Very useful and very simple to use.

I’ve been slowly adding to my library of resources over the last few years. I’ve tended toward those items that work with the resource guide. I don’t have to wonder whether a particular resource I’ve purchased has information relevant to the scripture I’m studying. The resource guide tells me. It’s like having a reference librarian constantly pointing out where useful information can be found in the books I own. This greatly speeds up and deepens my preparation to teach small group lessons.

I was hesitant about moving away from a physical Bible but I’m so glad I found BibleApp. Now my biggest worry isn’t “Where did I leave my Bible?” Instead, it’s “Does my iPad have enough charge to make it through Sunday School and church?“

by TtypeFKB

Having cultivated a relationship with Christ through a diligent search featuring rigid structure, I initially felt the usage of phone applications for study and revelation of God’s Word to be an abomination. Only after the concept of Grace so beautifully washed over my spirit to totally usurp the dominant reign of condemnation that I had struggled under for many years, was I able to let my tattered KJV rest and embrace the use of such applications. Spiritually conditioned to search deep and expect the best was certainly a regimen that would prove worthy in the endeavor to find the application of choice, as shadow boxing never seemed a fruitful choice for due diligence. But, I loved the applications’ titling and, well, the doggone icon just looked cool. So, it was the first I chose. All joking aside, I have looked at others, but find the intuitive ease of this application’s navigation system to be the featured component that has caused me to retain it as a loyal reader’s companion. The upgrades along the way have never disappointed me and I utilize the copy/paste functions over multiple operating platforms and myriad software programs, quickly enabling me to send my own revelations to others or pose pondering to my spiritual mentors. Thank you, Olive Tree, for continuing your great work spreading the Word of God to our technical world.

by Dave2val

BOY! How I had researched many of the Bible apps on the store, searching for an app that was not too simple or too complex. This one was in the 'Goldilocks' zone for me, the price was right and they had many free books included. And when books I wanted were on sale, I saved 20, 40, or 60% on those purchases. BUT! When I used it I was and still am amazed by the multiple levels of hyper-links I can work. While in the bible, I tap and hold on a word and a menu pops up, I choose 'lookup', and the dictionary's, commentaries, and concordances are available. I select the appropriate book and then the entry I want, after reading that I click on a link and look at that. Repeating ad infinitum, as I wander thru multiple levels in multiple books, what a joy to frolic in the Scriptures. WOW! I used to cover my kitchen table with books to clumsily approximate what I can now do so well. What a vast improvement in studying and writing about the Word of God. I heartily and happily recommend BibleApp highly. David K. Austin

by AppyApe

I love the OliveTree app. It’s easy to learn and a powerful tool! We lost our library of study books in a house fire a few years ago. We’ve been able to replace most of our books through OliveTree. With the side-by-side layout you can have your Bible open and easily access your library to open up any reference book you need. They’re organized by type (commentaries, Bibles, maps, etc.). Additionally, the Bibles with Strong’s allow you to tap a word and the pop-up box gives you easy access to all the word-studies books in your library. OliveTree also allows you to write notes on any word, not merely on each verse. Very handy! I also want to applaud their customer service staff. Three times we have needed their assistance. Each time they responded quickly, were very friendly and quite helpful! They know the software well and genuinely seem to be happy to help with any technical problem. Great experiences each time! I highly recommend OliveTree!

by Gservant2000

I have been using Olivetree since the Palm OS days. On my computer I used Biblesoft (still amazing on PC) but they have failed to make a good mobile app. Olivetree offers the desktop experience of Biblesoft on a mobile platform. For this reason I have started actively growing my Olivetree library. I have also tried YouVersion, and while that app is simple, quick, and offers a lot of social features, it has very little study ability. Most features it has , Olivetree already has or can easily add more. Where Olivetree really shines is study tools and reference material, not to mention offline availability (no internet in a lot of churches and I use a wifi iPad) and cross platform syncing. BibleApp is truly amazing, I recommend it highly. All of that said in the current version there're a few places to improve. Sometimes you have to dig to find the settings you want, and at times the flow feels less than intuitive. These are only minor things and with every release it gets better! Keep up the great work guys!

by Blessed Far More Than I Desire

We are so blessed by Almighty GOD, that He saw fit to create us in this age. An age where the knowledge of our LORD and His holy scripture is available and accessible to more people than at any other time in human history. Praise GOD. He gave us His word so that we might know Him in a personal way and grow in our understanding of His perfect love, grace, mercy and holiness.
My personal growth can be directly contributed to GOD’s Holy Spirit allowing me to have access to many resources provided through Olivetree Bible study. With so many resources available through Olivetree, I can concentrate more fully on the attributes of our LORD, better pray that His will be do and focus my meditate on loving and praising the one true GOD, the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit. Thank you Olivetree for providing the tools which have dramatically improved my walk with the LORD over these many years. Your customer service staff is wonderful, and have always been very responsive and helpful, whenever I have reached out to them. Keep up the good work and may the LORD continue to bless you and your families.

by Msmlmaih

Hello. I love olive tree. A friend at church one day mentioned it. They said it was great. I was sure I had tried it before only to find it didn’t work with voice over (the screen reader for the blind on IOS) but I thought I would try again. I was pleasantly surprised to find it accessible enough. At times I end up getting lost and its not always clear how to get back to where I was. I hope accessibility with voice over improves.

However olive tree has replaced logos for me as its a ton easier to use than logos. And reading content when I don’t get lost somewhere is a plasure rather than torture as it is with logos.

It does take time to learn how to use BibleApp however. And I am still learning where the two screens (resource guide and regular screen) divide. And I haven’t a clue if there is a way to close the resource guide screen when not needed. Olive Tree Bible app probably still needs a lot of accessibility fixes to make it great. But its pretty good and is fast becoming my favorite Bible study app of choice.

by C0ntesauce

I started my in depth Bible studies with Logos software. It was pretty great, even if it was slow to boot up and search, and prohibitively expensive. I still enjoyed using it and debated buying the next tier for something like 100$. I bought myself an iPad for Christmas 2020 and right away installed the Logos app, but thought I’d also give the Olive Tree app a try as well. Right away I noticed the dark mode was just much more eye candy than the plain black of the Logos app. Then I discovered the book store inside of BibleApp, there were plenty of holiday sales going on and I took advantage of them. I grabbed myself a great bunch of study tools NASB with Strongs, NIV with strongs, three comentaries, and still cheaper than just the software alone for Logos. I have since removed Logos from my PC and i devices because this has brought my studies to another level. The interactions with BibleApp , bibles, and the ease of accessing the study tools within text make this my only Bible study tool now (well this +GoodNotes). I am thoroughly enjoying these tools and look forward to new sales and tools to put in my Biblical toolbox from these guys.

by 123232done

For that alone I am and always will be very grateful for Olive Tree. I primarily only use it to do my daily study and read my preferred commentaries. I love the way I can jump online immediately if there is a word or term I want more information on. I know BibleApp has a lot more resources you can purchase and I add a few every now and then but it is the scriptures that keeps me coming back. I have been saved 42 years and always started and stopped daily Bible studies. Some times for many years. But since Olive Tree I have had a daily Bible Study for almost five years straight now and The Word of God is still new and revealing to me. In it we find life and life everlasting. If I could improve one thing it would be the highlighting function which can be very finicky selecting whole passages without the ability to accurately select a specific verse. But it’s manageable. No matter what Bible app you currently use I hope you will give this one a try as I believe its creators have been anointed to do this work Grace and Peace my brethren, I can’t wait to meet you all in glory.

by I'm But A Stranger Here

I am a minister who serves several Churches and The BibleStudy App by Olive Tree is one of my 2 primary sources of bible study. So many resources can be packed into BibleApp, from different Bible translations, to commentaries, to maps, to dictionaries( do wish Webster’s 1828 was available). I use it on my laptop and on my iPad so I can take my entire scriptural library with me wherever I go. The only negative is the high cost of some of the resources, so Whenever I want to add a particular resource I wait until the resource goes on sale. The support staff has been great to assist me in straightening out a few minor glitches (3-mostly caused by me). The staff that assisted me was wonderful. Once after paying $40(I wanted it badly)for one of the resources, it did not show up on my purchased list on line. I wanted to download it to a tablet I was using at the time. A phone call to a customer rep solved the problem. Although I didn’t retain a receipt for my purchase, he added it to my purchased list so I could download it to my new device. Where else in this world would anybody accept the fact you weren’t trying to get over on them, and accept your word for it? I’m sold, and thank God for this resource. I use it everyday.

by Loganiii

I've tried the rest, and Olive Tree continues to be the very best. This is the most reliable Bible reader I have ever used. Other prominent Bible apps have been unreliable when not connected to wi-fi (in church), but Olive Tree never fails. Olive Tree offers the most robust note-taking, highlighting, bookmarking of any reader. You can categorize, tag, and annotate, to your heart's content, and everything syncs beautifully. You have multiple options for syncing. It will sync with your desktop app, or with third-party solutions. My thousands of notes are synced with my Evernote account, for long-term storage and yet another easy way to search, share, and review my notes. The reference library that is seamlessly tied to your Olive Tree Bible reader is worth it's weight in gold. You can add as many reference books as you like: maps, dictionaries, concordance, study Bibles, etc. As you encounter a word or verse to research, your entire reference library is already looking at the same verse, so your maps are showing you what you are reading about, the study Bible is opened to that verse, etc. If your desire is to study the Bible over the course of a lifetime, you will be best served with Olive Tree.

by BklynWoidz

This is my go-to personal bible study, teaching/ministering preparation app. The NKJV with Strong's is my favorite. You tap on most words and Hebrew (OT) or Greek (NT) meanings come up. Fabulous way to understand things as they were first written. I use lots of the available resources. Great NIV and NIV study notes, too. Olive Tree is responsive to customer communications. That is so appreciated. A recent upgrade was causing terrible crashes. They scrambled to fix things quickly. Much appreciated. These folks are on top of their game. They remain sensitive to folks using early iPad editions. Needs more development time: BibleApp on my desktop Mac and laptop PC is sadly more cumbersome and less intuitive than the excellent phone and tablet versions. Word searching is clunkier, and GO TO requires a pull down menu that is less than cooperative, if those two app versions were better this would be a seven star app. One more whine/suggestion: the second window (on the phone and tablet app) would love to more intuitively remain open each time you fired things up. Seems like I either haven't yet learned (after many years!) or simply can't get it to always open when the primary window opens. Either reason, it's frustrating.

by Gralarry2

I use this Bible application every day along with one of the commentaries to gain additional historical insight into the scripture. I find this to be exceedingly helpful in that I do not always understand the background of many passages of Scripture, particularly the old testament as that is what I am reading now. I am hoping to continue this practice throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament. Though there are some advantages to other biblical apps, this is the one I use daily. For that reason I would wholeheartedly recommend BibleApp to anybody who wishes to gain more insight and knowledge of the Scriptures! In all of my reading, I have come to the conclusion that the word of God is truly able to change a man’s heart at a very deep level. I have yet to see anyone who reads the Scriptures and does not come away with being somewhat changed by them to the extent that they are studied. It is just one more proof to me of their divine origins! The human race has been greatly blessed because of the Scriptures and without them our society would have indeed been very dark and dismal. But they will not help you unless you read them. So try out BibleApp and see if it doesn’t help you with that. May your Bible reading be blessed and you’re worthy prayers being answered!

by Fan2go

I have been using this resource for 15 years. When I starting traveling more, I added the Bibles to my phone. When I changed phone formats, I lost the downloads and was never able to recover them in a way that was easy for me. I just lost them. I have just rebought and loaded them. They are worth every dollar!
I use them in church and Bible studies. I can check facts and research words immediately without flipping pages and causing disturbances. If someone uses a Greek or Hebrew reference, I can check right away to see if their translations are contextual to the scripture.
So often, particularly in Hebrew, there are typically several choices of a word definition. I studied and speak Hebrew, although I'm not an expert. I know that many that use concordances in their study and teachings have no knowledge of the language, and I'm Berean about checking their work. I don't disdain scholarship by any means, though it's a good exercise for me to check their choices. BibleApp from Zodhiates makes it easy.
I trust his scholarship and resources from long use. He makes me a better student of the Word.

by Historylovr

I love BibleApp! It is a blessing to me to have so many research tools at my fingertips: books on the various regional cultures of Bible times, fascinating maps & chronologies, the people, the Archaeological info, and the Bible translations to compare/study. I am in Bible study heaven. We are so blessed to have this technology available to read, learn about, and study our Lord’s precious Word.
I do have a good sized collection of actual physical books, maps, dictionaries, commentaries, Bible Translations, Strong’s, Handbooks, etc., but using the Olive Tree app makes reading and studying so easy due to instant search results, ability to change fonts and text size, and BibleApp automatically brings up relevant info from my Library related to the Bible text I am reading. The Olive Tree Store makes it easy to purchase Bibles, books, maps, etc. that works seamlessly with the Olive Tree App. BibleApp works well on both my iPad and MacBook...great app & I highly recommend it. I have been using BibleApp for 4 years.

by Frankla10

I have been using Olive Tree for a number of years and continue to appreciate more and more the ease of use and functionality it provides. I love the fact that my notes and highlights are maintained across all the various Bibles I’ve purchased. Additionally the Resource Guide provides a rich collection of references that are tied directly to the section of scripture being studied and changes dynamically as you progress through a chapter.

The only change I would suggest is a better note-taking interface. Depending on how you initiate the note section it can come up with a very small window to actually type notes in. It also doesn’t support bulleted lists, different type face changes (bold, underline, etc) or tab functionality as far as I can tell. That is a minor inconvenience compared to the rich functionality and huge resource library that is available. My spiritual study has grown in so many ways thanks to BibleApp.

by LiveInFaith

I have used Olive Tree for years and it is awesome! I have found the “Resource Guide” functionality amazing and the ability to access thousands of titles and references is great. But users should be aware of a couple issues: If you build a large library of titles and reference works (many purchased), you will not be able to “share” these titles across accounts, even to another family member. BibleApp says it supports “Family Sharing” but that does NOT apply to sharing a title, book or study reference with a different Olive Tree Bible account, such as a spouse. Yes, you can have multiple devices so why not just log into the same account? Well, unfortunately, all personal notes and highlights you create are likewise “tied” to one Olive Tree account. So, if your spouse wants his/her own notes or highlights, they have to create a separate account...and lose access to all the library resources you have accumulated. Great app, but be aware that these are two big issues.

by Collin Edge 07

I seldom write reviews. Probably less than ten total. I have been a user of Olive Tree Bible Software since the days of the Palm OS Treo. Over the years I have tried many other Bible software solutions as well; on my PC (before the best decision ever: Mac OS X), on my Mac, and on my iOS devices. Some of them were online solutions and some were device based. None of which compared to both the ease of use and depth of capability of the Bible app by Olive Tree. — From the total TechHead to the occasional user; the Bible app offers something for all. — I seamlessly use the software on my MacBook, iPhone, & iPad. It allows me to bookmark areas important to me, make notes for future reference and offers what seems to be an immeasurable number of Bible versions, Maps, Study Guides, Reference Material & Reading Plans. There are many items for purchase and well worth the price. — Olive Tree provides consistent and relevant updates to their software as well as reference material. And their Customer Service is on par with some of the best in the world.

by Marshal P

I did a lot of research and landed on Olive Tree’s app years ago and was very happy with the choice. As I’ve seen other Bible apps offer new features, I’ve tried them, but I keep coming back to BibleApp as my ‘go-to’ app.

It sounds minor, but I love the fact that I can highlight portions (or even individual words) of a verse rather than being forces to highlight the entire verse. That makes a difference to me, when I want to capture a moment of insight or inspiration. I also appreciate that Olive Tree keeps evolving and adding new features. Their recent update to the Plans section is visually more engaging and I look forward to using it more.

Food for Thought for Olive Tree: One thing I’d love to see explored/expanded is more community/sharing aspects to allow users to more easily share their study insights to a more focused audience/community (ie, not social media) and even jointly do a reading plan together. But the many strengths of BibleApp outweigh this ‘nice to have’ in my view.

by Eclexian

I've been using BibleApp for several years, now. Mostly I stay with it because it has a great set of features, like no other. Highlighting down to the word level, inserting notes anywhere, a split view option and a good collection of supported gestures that make it easy to navigate quickly anywhere all combine to make a really useful study tool.

The reliability issues BibleApp has had in the past have seemed quite well cleaned up. It has been several years, now, since any real problems have prevented my using it. While I’m glad for this, I’m very disappointed that this latest release has taken away the ability to search within an open resource, such as a second translation in “parallel view.” I used this frequently, and now will have to constantly switch between OT and another app to do this. Why would they take that functionality away? I sure hope they reconsider this serious deficiency.