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Dwell alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll bible study apps

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Dwell: paid subscription after the trial; no free tier, and listening app only, with no commentaries or study tools. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Dwell, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. YouVersion Bible App currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1YouVersion Bible App logoYouVersion Bible AppFree—NoiOS, Android, Web4 of 468.8
2Bible Gateway logoBible GatewayFree plan + paid$6.99 a month (Plus, billed monthly)NoWeb, iOS, Android8 of 864.8
3OlOlive Tree Bible AppFree plan + paid—NoiOS, Android, macOS +15 of 561.8
4BibleProject logoBibleProjectFree—NoWeb, iOS, Android5 of 559.4
5Abide logoAbideFree plan + paid$39.99/yearNoiOS, Android4 of 452.6
6Hallow logoHallowFree plan + paid$9.99/month or $69.99/year (US)NoiOS, Android, Web5 of 550.0
  1. YouVersion Bible App logo

    1. YouVersion Bible AppTop pick

    Best for: Everyday readers and church groups who want a free Bible with plans, audio and offline reading

    FreeiOS, Android, Web

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dwell

    Free, with audio recordings for many translations plus reading plans, so listening costs nothing.

    Pros

    • Completely free with no ads or paid tier
    • Very wide choice of translations and languages
    • Reading plans, prayers and shared plans with friends
    • Offline reading and audio Bibles

    Cons

    • Few in-depth study tools such as commentaries or Greek and Hebrew lookups
    • Requires an account for syncing notes and social features
    • Plans and content lean toward a devotional, evangelical style
    Visit YouVersion Bible App Compare with DwellDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is YouVersion Bible App a good Dwell alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026youversion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Bible versions
    3,500 versions in 2,300 languages
    Checked Nov 8, 2026youversion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026youversion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Installs
    700 million+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026youversion.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Bible Gateway logo

    2. Bible Gateway

    Best for: Readers who want fast passage search and translation comparison, with optional commentaries

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dwell

    Free website and app with audio Bibles in several translations and dramatized readings alongside the text.

    Pros

    • Fast search and side-by-side comparison across many translations
    • Includes many modern English versions
    • Plus adds 70+ commentaries and study resources for a monthly fee
    • Audio Bibles and reading plans in the free tier

    Cons

    • Free site and app show ads
    • The study library requires an ongoing subscription rather than a one-time purchase
    • Fewer languages than YouVersion
    Visit Bible Gateway Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Bible Gateway a good Dwell alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Translations
    200+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026biblegateway.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Plus (monthly)
    $6.99 per month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026biblegateway.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Plus (yearly)
    $69.99 per year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026biblegateway.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026biblegateway.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Plus library
    70+ premium resources
    Checked Nov 8, 2026biblegateway.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $6.99 a month (Plus, billed monthly)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026biblegateway.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Plus yearly plan
    $69.99 a year ($5.83 a month)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026biblegateway.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, free account
    Checked Nov 8, 2026biblegateway.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Ol

    3. Olive Tree Bible App

    Best for: Pastors, teachers and serious readers who want commentaries and word study offline on every device

    Free plan + paidiOS, Android, macOS, Windows

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dwell

    Bible reader where audio Bibles sit next to study notes and commentaries you can buy one by one.

    Pros

    • Resource Guide shows related commentary for the passage you are reading
    • Full offline use once books are downloaded
    • Strong's, interlinear and parsed Greek and Hebrew texts
    • Purchased books stay in your account across devices

    Cons

    • Most commentaries and study Bibles are paid add-ons
    • Store-centric layout can feel busy for casual readers
    • No web app; you need to install it
    Visit Olive Tree Bible App Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Olive Tree Bible App a good Dwell alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Platforms
    iOS, Android, Mac, Windows
    Checked Nov 8, 2026olivetree.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026olivetree.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Library size
    35,000+ books
    Checked Nov 8, 2026olivetree.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Bible translations
    100+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026olivetree.com(opens source in a new tab)
    In business since
    1998
    Checked Nov 8, 2026olivetree.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. BibleProject logo

    4. BibleProject

    Best for: New readers, students and small groups who learn better from video and podcasts than from commentaries

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dwell

    Free videos, podcasts and reading plans that explain each book, for listeners who want context rather than just narration.

    Pros

    • Everything is free with no ads or paywall
    • High-quality animated overviews of every book of the Bible
    • App keeps videos, podcasts, classes and progress in one place

    Cons

    • App is English-only for now
    • No commentaries, original-language tools or personal notes
    • Not optimised for tablets
    Visit BibleProject Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is BibleProject a good Dwell alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bibleproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
    App platforms
    iOS 15.5+, Android 8+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bibleproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
    App language
    English only
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bibleproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Organisation
    Nonprofit, crowdfunded
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bibleproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
    First videos
    2014
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bibleproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Abide logo

    5. Abide

    Best for: Christians who want Scripture-based meditation and bedtime stories instead of secular mindfulness

    Free plan + paidiOS, Android

    52.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dwell

    Includes a free full audio Bible alongside Christian meditations and sleep stories.

    Pros

    • Biblical sleep stories for winding down at night
    • Free full audio Bible and reading plans
    • Content grouped by needs like anxiety, grief and stress

    Cons

    • Most meditations and sleep stories need Premium
    • No study tools beyond reading plans
    • Mobile only
    Visit Abide Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Abide a good Dwell alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026abide.co(opens source in a new tab)
    Yearly price
    $39.99/year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026abide.co(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Guideposts
    Checked Nov 8, 2026abide.co(opens source in a new tab)
    Free content
    Audio Bible and reading plans
    Checked Nov 8, 2026abide.co(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Hallow logo

    6. Hallow

    Best for: Catholics and Christians who want guided daily prayer, Scripture and faith-based meditation

    Free plan + paidiOS, Android, Web

    50.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Dwell

    Prayer app with narrated daily Scripture and Bible-in-a-year audio, aimed at Catholic listeners.

    Pros

    • Large library of guided Catholic prayers and Bible content
    • Free version includes Bible in a Year and the daily Rosary
    • Parish and school community features
    • Family plan covers up to six people

    Cons

    • Much of the library sits behind a paid subscription
    • Content is centred on Catholic tradition, less suited to other faiths or secular users
    • Subscriptions auto-renew after the trial unless cancelled
    Visit Hallow Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.338
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Hallow a good Dwell alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, hundreds of sessions
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.hallow.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $9.99/month or $69.99/year (US)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.hallow.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Family plan
    $119.99/year for up to 6 members
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.hallow.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    Yes, on individual plans
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.hallow.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Launched
    End of 2018
    Checked Nov 8, 2026hallow.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Dwell alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

YouVersion Bible App logo

Best Dwell alternative for most people

YouVersion Bible App

Free, with audio recordings for many translations plus reading plans, so listening costs nothing.

BibleProject logo

Best Dwell alternative for a free option

BibleProject

Free videos, podcasts and reading plans that explain each book, for listeners who want context rather than just narration.

Bible Gateway logo

Best Dwell alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Bible Gateway

Free website and app with audio Bibles in several translations and dramatized readings alongside the text.

Ol

Best Dwell alternative for Mac

Olive Tree Bible App

Bible reader where audio Bibles sit next to study notes and commentaries you can buy one by one.

Ol

Best Dwell alternative for Windows

Olive Tree Bible App

Bible reader where audio Bibles sit next to study notes and commentaries you can buy one by one.

Abide logo

Best Dwell alternative for iPhone and Android

Abide

Includes a free full audio Bible alongside Christian meditations and sleep stories.

Hallow logo

Best Dwell alternative for working in the browser

Hallow

Prayer app with narrated daily Scripture and Bible-in-a-year audio, aimed at Catholic listeners.

Dwell alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Dwell?

YouVersion Bible App ranks first right now. Free, with audio recordings for many translations plus reading plans, so listening costs nothing. Bible Gateway and Olive Tree Bible App follow it in our ranking.

Dwell vs YouVersion Bible App: what's the difference?

Dwell is a paid product; YouVersion Bible App is free to use. Only YouVersion Bible App runs on Web.

Is Dwell free?

Dwell is a paid product. Free trial: 7 days; Yearly price: $59.99/year; Monthly price: $9.99/month. Checked on Dwell's own site, November 2026.

How much do Dwell alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked Dwell alternatives: Bible Gateway, $6.99 a month (Plus, billed monthly); Abide, $39.99/year; Hallow, $9.99/month or $69.99/year (US). Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to Dwell?

Yes. YouVersion Bible App (free), Bible Gateway (free plan + paid), Olive Tree Bible App (free plan + paid) and BibleProject (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Dwell?

None of the 6 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Dwell?

The complaints we hear most: paid subscription after the trial; no free tier; listening app only, with no commentaries or study tools; mobile only, no desktop app.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Dwell, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.