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Xiphos alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

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

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Xiphos: no macOS or mobile version, and dated interface compared with newer Bible apps. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Xiphos, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. BibleTime currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1BibleTime logoBibleTimeOpen source—YesLinux, Windows, macOS4 of 468.8
2Ezra Bible App logoEzra Bible AppOpen source—YesWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 464.8
3YouVersion Bible App logoYouVersion Bible AppFree—NoiOS, Android, Web4 of 461.8
4Logos Bible Study logoLogos Bible StudyFree plan + paid—NoWindows, macOS, Web +25 of 559.4
5Bible Gateway logoBible GatewayFree plan + paid$6.99 a month (Plus, billed monthly)NoWeb, iOS, Android8 of 842.3
  1. BibleTime logo

    1. BibleTimeTop pick

    Best for: Linux users who want a free desktop Bible study tool with many free translations and commentaries

    Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xiphos

    Same SWORD library in a Qt app that also runs on macOS.

    Pros

    • Free and open source, with over 200 free works via SWORD
    • Side-by-side texts and Strong's lookups
    • Packaged by most Linux distributions

    Cons

    • No mobile app
    • Library limited to free and CrossWire-hosted works
    • Personal notes need a separate commentary module
    Visit BibleTime Details 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 BibleTime a good Xiphos alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free works
    Over 200 texts
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bibletime.info(opens source in a new tab)
    Built with
    C++ and Qt
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bibletime.info(opens source in a new tab)
    Preinstalled Bibles
    None
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bibletime.info(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Ezra Bible App logo

    2. Ezra Bible App

    Best for: People who study the Bible by topic and want tags and notes synced across computer and phone

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xiphos

    Modern interface focused on tagging verses, with mobile apps and sync.

    Pros

    • Verse tagging and notes built into the reading view
    • Runs on desktop, Android and iOS with Dropbox sync
    • Exports notes and verse lists to Word

    Cons

    • Sync relies on Dropbox
    • Mostly a one-developer project
    • Fewer advanced original-language tools than paid suites
    Visit Ezra Bible App 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 Ezra Bible App a good Xiphos alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ezrabibleapp.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Dropbox
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ezrabibleapp.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Export
    Word documents
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ezrabibleapp.net(opens source in a new tab)
  3. YouVersion Bible App logo

    3. YouVersion Bible App

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

    FreeiOS, Android, Web

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xiphos

    Free on phones and the web, with thousands of translations, reading plans and audio Bibles, though fewer study tools.

    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 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 YouVersion Bible App a good Xiphos 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)
  4. Logos Bible Study logo

    4. Logos Bible Study

    Best for: Pastors, seminary students and serious Bible students who want a deep, searchable library

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xiphos

    Paid, much deeper library and original-language tools for serious study, on Windows, Mac and mobile instead of Linux.

    Pros

    • Very large catalogue of commentaries and reference works that integrate with search
    • Free version to start, with purchased books kept permanently
    • Syncs notes and highlights across desktop, web and mobile

    Cons

    • Larger libraries and many features cost a lot compared with free Bible software
    • Newer features sit behind a subscription
    • No Linux desktop app
    Visit Logos Bible Study 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 Logos Bible Study a good Xiphos alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, 25+ resources
    Checked Nov 8, 2026logos.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Desktop, web and mobile
    Checked Nov 8, 2026logos.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Update cadence
    About every 6 weeks
    Checked Nov 8, 2026logos.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Subscription library
    Up to 500 books
    Checked Nov 8, 2026logos.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Subscriber discount
    5% off storewide
    Checked Nov 8, 2026logos.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Bible Gateway logo

    5. Bible Gateway

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

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    42.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xiphos

    Browser-based, with many modern English translations and an optional commentary library.

    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 ×0.312
    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 Xiphos 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)

The best Xiphos alternative for…

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

BibleTime logo

Best Xiphos alternative for most people

BibleTime

Same SWORD library in a Qt app that also runs on macOS.

Ezra Bible App logo

Best Xiphos alternative for a free option

Ezra Bible App

Modern interface focused on tagging verses, with mobile apps and sync.

Logos Bible Study logo

Best Xiphos alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Logos Bible Study

Paid, much deeper library and original-language tools for serious study, on Windows, Mac and mobile instead of Linux.

BibleTime logo

Best Xiphos alternative for open source

BibleTime

Same SWORD library in a Qt app that also runs on macOS.

BibleTime logo

Best Xiphos alternative for Mac

BibleTime

Same SWORD library in a Qt app that also runs on macOS.

BibleTime logo

Best Xiphos alternative for Windows

BibleTime

Same SWORD library in a Qt app that also runs on macOS.

BibleTime logo

Best Xiphos alternative for Linux

BibleTime

Same SWORD library in a Qt app that also runs on macOS.

YouVersion Bible App logo

Best Xiphos alternative for iPhone and Android

YouVersion Bible App

Free on phones and the web, with thousands of translations, reading plans and audio Bibles, though fewer study tools.

Bible Gateway logo

Best Xiphos alternative for working in the browser

Bible Gateway

Browser-based, with many modern English translations and an optional commentary library.

Xiphos alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Xiphos?

BibleTime ranks first right now. Same SWORD library in a Qt app that also runs on macOS. Ezra Bible App and YouVersion Bible App follow it in our ranking.

Xiphos vs BibleTime: what's the difference?

Both Xiphos and BibleTime are free and open source. Only BibleTime runs on macOS.

Is Xiphos free?

Xiphos is free and open source. Price: Free. Checked on Xiphos's own site, November 2026.

Is there a free alternative to Xiphos?

Yes. BibleTime (open source), Ezra Bible App (open source), YouVersion Bible App (free) and Logos Bible Study (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Xiphos?

Yes: BibleTime and Ezra Bible App.

Which Xiphos alternatives work on Linux?

BibleTime and Ezra Bible App run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Xiphos?

The complaints we hear most: no macOS or mobile version; dated interface compared with newer Bible apps; few recent copyrighted translations in the free library.

How is this list ranked?

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