ESV Bible Reviews

by Abare75

Sigh. First off, I get it. It’s a free app. And it’s a great app...for about 6mo of the year. At the end of the year, the developers decide to reinvent the wheel and roll out a huge update and jazz it up and it’s then 4-6mo of fixing what didn’t need to be fixed in the first place. I see that with 2020 here, they did not miss a chance to do another one of those horrible revamps. My daily bible reading plan completely changed formats overnight, and there is no other plan that offers the format it was using for the past several years. It was a great plan because my church uses the same schedule to go through the Bible in one year and the ease of having it on my iPad was so wonderful. Again, I get it, I’ll just keep the hard copy handouts my church puts in the bulletin at the end of every year and just read off those and manually keep track, but what a bummer to wake up Jan 1 and find the change. But then again, I shouldn’t be surprised. It happens EVERY. YEAR.

by Mok42

I can’t. There is so many issues with ESVBible for me. The bookmarks, the highlights, and just the layout does not work for me. I have the Bible app and love that they give you choices on color for highlights. ESVBible is an eyesore and pretty much worthless if you want to highlight. The bookmarks seem to always go away, especially if there’s an update. The voice for reading is hard to follow, I’m not sure why, it just isn’t very friendly when trying to follow the reading. The woman’s voice has such a strong accent you have to continue to rewind if listening which fails completely if you don’t have access or if your walking and listening. This is just sadly an app I do not use which in my opinion is sadly missing the point of trying to carry a message to the people who need it. Go with the Bible app if you want way more ability to customize. ESVBible is light years behind and isn’t fulfilling its purpose whatsoever

by Bhaughery

The ESV app was great in the early years. Seems, as of late that it isn’t getting much attention from developers. Couple problems have persisted for more than a year. These two changes having to do with the Bible reading plan interface would greatly improve ESVBible for daily users.

One, the Bible reading plan of choice has to be reopened and reselected from a scrolling list of plans every day, and, even if you are moving around in and out of it on the day of use.

Two, if you’re in a reading plan and go to use audio, the audio scrolling will not maintain the reading plan sequence. Instead it reverts to the book of the Bible of which that chapter is a part. It would be an improvement if audio would scroll through the entire reading plan for the day, moving seamlessly through each chapter selection.

by Adh9w

First, this works well as a bible. The highlights and notes are saved on your account and go with you when you change devices.
The main problem is with the reading plans. This past year I’ve read through the Bible using the Chronological plan. Several times during the year the plan was revised and I had to find passages I’d “misses” and read them. (Ex. the whole book of job moved) The kicker was today, December 20, the plan changed again and all the progress was lost. I can figure out manually and by memory what I haven’t read yet and put my own plan together for the last twelve days of the year, but it’s frustrating to need to do that so near the end.
The developers need to allow a reading plan to be frozen once a reader has subscribed. That way they can make improvements for new readers without disrupting those already on the plan.

by Scttnrrs

I love ESVBible. I love that I can get my ESV Study Bible notes on it. I love that it has my ESV Gospel Transformation Bible notes in it as well. I love the aesthetic appeal...I just looks simple and classy. It would have 5 stars except that the reading plan section is a mess. It is fine if you only read what you are supposed to read that day. However if you read ahead it tends to forget my check marks. If you get behind it’s hard to know how much behind you are. And the audio reading feature is almost un-usable in the reading plan section as it messes everything up...boxes get checked off that shouldn’t be, it reads sections not in the plan, it crashes occasionally, etc.

I’m currently reading the ESV Study Bible plan and there is no way to tell what day I’m supposed to be on because each day’s reading shows only the current day’s date, not the day you should have read a particular set of passages.

Could you please give some attention to the reading plan section? It is such a big part of my day, and if it can’t stay on track I don’t know if I can continue to use ESVBible. Also, I’m happy to financially support good apps so if there is a way we as your users can help you make ESVBible better please let us know. Thank you for all your hard work so far!!!!

by BankingBlues

ESVBible needs to be regularly maintained, given the amount of time that’s passing between each update. I love ESVBible , but it’d be nice to see more attention paid to the development. A few issues:

- Bookmarks don’t sync between the mobile and online apps (why this isn’t a feature I’m not sure, having continuity between them should be a given)
- Copy and paste settings are failing on online application (even when settings have been unchecked, their corresponding setting still applies to the verses when they’re pasted)
- Library items are not properly downloading and loading on mobile devices
- Notes on the online application are only available when going to the user menu (I’d like to see them available when the “Notes” button is clicked, instead of only having them available when I’m on a certain passage of Scripture
- Highlighting on the mobile app is a serious eye sore. Please make it so that it looks like the online application version of highlighting with multiple color options. When I’m highlight a verse in real life, I’m not highlighting the space surrounding the text, only the text itself. This sort of highlight should be on the mobile app.

by Audge-podge

I love that ESV has created its own app. I was so happy when they announced Kristen Getty had recorded audio of the scriptures. For the most part it is easy to use and it has a wonderful layout. ESVBible needs to have a better search function that guesses at what passage or plan you are attempting to search for. I know you don’t have to type out the full name of each book, but I only discovered that feature on accident. Many people don’t know how to spell every book in the Bible. If you do misspell in your search you end up with no results at all instead of the software pointing you to passages that most resemble your search.

by Mpaseven

Thanks for all that you do in providing an app for the translation of the Bible that has grown to be my favorite and the one I trust the most. I appreciate Crossway in many ways, especially for the resources that you provide that strengthen my walk. I enjoy ESVBible but...

When I read or am studying the word, I mark my Bible up, even using ESVBible I love to highlight but I like to focus on key words within a verse that being a greater depth and meaning to the verse. A lot hinges on keys words, right?

Even as I look at Piper and his videos, he is marking up the Bible where he is focusing on key words and phrases within the verse. It makes things standout and gives the already living Word more life.

Yes, I can change ESVBible I use and get a different app with these features but why? I trust Crossway and I don't want to go anywhere else. I'm committed to Crossway. Seriously! It's been life giving and has been a means of Grace in my life.

Just please consider modifying the markups portion. Again, in all sincerity, thanks for what you do in leading us closer to the Lord.

Mike

by Sesmith1131

I’ve given ESVBible 4/5 stars ONLY because since they’ve recently updated it, for some reason now my search does not work.. I can type in the verse I want to read (ex: Luke 1:1) but when I click the verse, it just takes me right back to where I was before the search.. Almost as if clicking the newly searched verse is as though I’m clicking the “back” button.. very frustrating. I’m in a bible study with a group of guys I work with so it is very important to have that work properly. It is more convenient to use my youversion Holy Bible app to do my studies now and there is no comparison between the two apps.. ESV is much better for my use and needs.
This is my only complaint and the single reason for the 4 star rating.
I fear if I delete ESVBible and download it again, all of my progress and work will be lost so I’ve not tried that yet. Thank you for the otherwise wonderful app! No other issues except the one listed above.

by Tvdad

I use ESVBible mostly to listen to the audio version while driving. Really love it, but I have two suggestions:
1- make the audio downloadable. Sometimes I roll through dead zones with little or no cell service and can’t listen.
2- I have to listen with my phone unlocked or it will loose my place. If my phone is locked, it will play normally. However, if I pause or stop, ESVBible automatically goes back to the place where I was when the phone was unlocked and screen on. Really drains my battery to have the phone on and app scrolling alongside the audio while listening.

by Pats2019

I was thankful to find ESVBible because it allows me to stay in track with reading the Bible throughout the year. Apparently when ESVBible updated the plan I was using was erased and all my progress along with it. I’m very disappointed.

THANK YOU for addressing my concerns. One other thing is that while reading the passages for the day and scrolling to each passage it used to change to be able to see what passage I was in with out returning to the check off section. Please put that back in! Also, I like that it just shows today’s date because if for some reason I don’t finish the reading one day then it’s still there and there is not a feeling of being behind! Thanks!

by WsgtBalMd

I have loved using ESVBible for years. This is my go-to Bible for my daily devotions. And I love being able to record notes on various verses and likely have hundreds if not over a thousand such notes. Nonetheless, ever since the last update the verses are no longer marked in the text as to whether a note has been added or not. The notes are still there but there is no way of knowing unless I click on each verse individually or at the time to scroll through all the notes in the notes tab. Would be thrilled to have the verses marked again as they were previously.

by Cokonuthead

I love the ESV and ESVBible is great; it is easy to use. It seems, though, that something changed with the optional font size in the settings. It used to be that “Extra Large” was indeed large, and very easy to read. Now though , “Extra Large” isn’t large at all, it is really just an average size font like you’d find as a default in most apps with text. I really liked the extra large font. Since the screen cannot be zoomed while reading, the current largest font size is disappointing since it is so small. As I say, something changed in an update, probably in the last several months, but I don’t know when. I love ESVBible , but need to wear strong glasses to see it.

by PDB4Him

As a minister for close to 30 years, I would day that the resources connected with ESVBible are of the finest quality. Especially if one pays the $4/mo subscription. Money can't buy better. The only thing that keeps me from rating ESVBible with 5 stars is the irritating fact that when one is reading a commentary (or study bible notes) and then moves to the Bible to check the actual text, ESVBible automatically kicks you to the top of whatever you were reading (such as the beginning of the chapter) -- so anytime you move to the Bible part of ESVBible , you will lose your place in whatever else you were reading. Fix that and I think I could sell the rest of my books and just use this!

by Dhdtsgdibhdd

When listening to lectures and taking notes on ipad, I LOVE the fact that i can split screen the ESV app on the right and have Notability or GoodNotes 5 on the left. Tap the Book at the top...say it says Genesis...tap it and the other books appear and tap them, then the chapters appear and scroll with your finger to the passage very fast tap the text you want, the highlight box appears, tap again to place how much text you want to copy into your note taking app. Copy and paste into ESVBible ! No need to upload to any other apps . Just copy and paste...and guess what! You can type and edit the text!! The KJV app is ok but it will NOT split screen.

by NaeNay02

I’ve had ESVBible a few years it’s my go to when I new quick reference I also enjoy reading it’s easy to read and understand. I do still love and read my Bible I love holding it and turning the pages and looking for books and chapters, but I do love ESVBible
As well it is a wonderful tool to have . I’m still learning all the features it has I love that I can mark verses I love and I can highlight things and it show the words in Red as well. If you don’t have your bible it right here and you can follow along. So Many positives.
Thank you

The only this I would change is I wish the numbers where by the verses. I use this sometime whit my devotional to read scriptures and it makes it hard to find if you looking for a verse or two in the chapter.

by Nick More No

One of my favorite features is that you can listen to your reading plan. When you do this ESVBible will read through all of the passages that are listed for the day. The only downside is that I was only able to find this feature after enabling reminders to read a selected reading plan. After the reminder comes in, you must swipe left and tap “view” after that, the option to select “read” or “listen” will be available. I love this feature but I haven’t been able to find it in any where else in ESVBible . This is problematic because if I completely swipe away the reminder notification on accident; I lose the ability to listen to the reading. Also I feel that navigating through the plans could be better. Being able to put your favorite plans on top would be nice.

by Hallboyone

This last update restored my progress in the chronological reading plan, loosing just what I had done since the last update reset it. Thanks for fixing this.
Original post: Like the other reviewer mentioned, after the update, I lost all my progress in the chronological reading plan. It also changed a little bit, moving Job from sometime in Genesis to later in the Old Testament. The change is fine but it makes picking up we’re I left off impossible.
I’m sure that a digital record of my progress is completely lost but it would be nice if, the next time an update like this occurs, they are a bit more careful with the migration.
Last suggestion. The reading plan portion is kinda bloated after this last update. It would be much easier to navigate if there were sub folders or reading plans (“Thru the Bible”, “What to read when…”, etc.)
Overall, a great app.

by M1bohon

ESVBible primarily focuses on what a Bible is primarily for—reading. If only more translations were available in an app this good.

I have noticed one minor issue though. I don’t know if it’s a bug or if it’s intentional, but the sans serif font is much bolder than it used to be, which just looks a bit strange to me.

And if I can request a feature, I would love to be able to remove section headings without going into reader’s mode. I like having numbers and footnotes most of the time, but I find that sections headings seriously diminish the continuity of the text, especially in the gospels, and they aren’t very useful to me.

by Danandpetie

I’ve used the ESV Bible app for over a year now and love how easy it is to navigate to and/or search for scripture passages, and I love the Bible reading plans, and the ability to listen to passages as well.
A couple suggestions for improvements though:
1. Add the ability to select a specific passage and play that passage’s audio recording on a repeat loop. This would be helpful for Scripture memorization.
2. I listen to the audio in my car using a Bluetooth speaker that is not very powerful. Most podcasts output a sound level that I can hear just fine, but ESVBible outputs a lower sound level that makes me have to strain my ears to hear. Maybe I’m the only one with this problem though.
3. It would be nice if I could push play and have the audio play my daily Bible reading plan passages. As it stands, if I have 4 separate passages, it starts at the begging but keeps on going past the end of the first passage until I stop it and find the next passage and push play.

by Plaidjenn

As others report, the look of the interface is nice. You can also listen along. I use the search often, though I wish a cursor showed up when you click the search field. Instead you have to click and start typing whilst hoping you clicked the search field.
However, the reading plan section needs an UPDATE! It seems to reset each day. I started a reading plan Jan 1 and set my preferences, but every day I go to the reading plan and it asks me to choose which plan and it doesn’t remember what day I’m on (not to mention what I’ve already read. ) I am reverting to a paper plan to read thru the Bible this year. :(

by Pretendthisisalegitnickname

Everything is great and I love that we can customize the appearance of the pages (text, dark mode, etc.). I also really love the variety of study plans that ESVBible offers!

One confusing thing is that the plans do not let you filter out certain kinds of plan (like plans for a whole year or just a few weeks). And it gets tedious when you have to scroll through every plan to find the one that you are studying. Even the plans that I have finished are still there so that makes it a bit mundane.

Great app and I’m looking forward to more improvements!

by [[[Nickname]]

I’m very impressed with the design and the simplicity of ESVBible. Granted, I use a couple that provide different tools but what strikes me about this is that when I first open it, it jumps straight to the text - no additional menus to hack through or anything, just straight to whatever I was last reading. Because that’s why I’m using it - to read the Bible. And of course ESVBible is just beautifully designed and enjoyable to use.

Thank you all so much for understanding that the primary focus of a Bible app is to read the Bible, and thank you for delivering on the goal so well. 👍