BibleTime
A free, open-source desktop Bible study app built on the SWORD library and Qt.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Linux, Windows, macOS
Is BibleTime free?
Yes, free and open source
- License:
- GPL-2.0
Checked on BibleTime's site Oct 29, 2026
Switch from BibleTime to
All 4
XiphosOpen source
Ezra Bible AppOpen source
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 4
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About BibleTime
BibleTime is a desktop program for Bible study on Linux, BSD, Windows and macOS. It uses the SWORD library from the CrossWire Bible Society, which gives access to more than 200 free Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries and books that you download through its built-in Bookshelf Manager; nothing is preinstalled. You can open several works side by side, look up Strong's numbers, search texts, and keep personal notes through a special personal commentary module. It is written in C++ with the Qt toolkit and is free, open-source software under the GPL. Linux users typically install it from their distribution's packages. Compared with commercial tools like Logos, its library is limited to freely licensed and CrossWire-hosted works, and the interface feels more like a traditional desktop app than a modern reading app. There is no mobile version, so people who study on a phone will need something else.
Best for: Linux users who want a free desktop Bible study tool with many free translations and commentaries.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free and open source, with over 200 free works via SWORD
- Side-by-side texts and Strong's lookups
- Packaged by most Linux distributions
Why people leave
- No mobile app
- Library limited to free and CrossWire-hosted works
- Personal notes need a separate commentary module
BibleTime vs Xiphos, Ezra Bible App and YouVersion Bible App
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | BibleTime | Xiphos | Ezra Bible App | YouVersion Bible App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source | Open source | Free |
| Verified price | — | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Free app |
| Open source | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, macOS | Linux, Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | iOS, Android, Web |
Top BibleTime alternatives
See all 4- 1Xiphos68.8
Another free SWORD-based study tool, GTK instead of Qt, with Windows installers.
- 2Ezra Bible App64.8
Uses the same SWORD modules but adds tagging, notes, Android and iOS apps and Dropbox sync.
- 3YouVersion Bible App42.3
Free on phones and the web, with reading plans, audio Bibles and offline reading.
- 4
Logos Bible Study42.3Much larger commercial library of commentaries and reference works, synced across devices.
Why people left BibleTime
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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BibleTime: common questions
What is BibleTime?
BibleTime: A free, open-source desktop Bible study app built on the SWORD library and Qt. Best for linux users who want a free desktop Bible study tool with many free translations and commentaries. Available for Linux, Windows and macOS.
Is BibleTime free?
Yes. BibleTime is free, open-source software.
Is BibleTime open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at bibletime/bibletime.
What platforms does BibleTime run on?
BibleTime is available for Linux, Windows and macOS.
What are the best alternatives to BibleTime?
The highest-ranked BibleTime alternatives right now are Xiphos, Ezra Bible App and YouVersion Bible App. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
BibleTime vs Xiphos: what's the difference?
Both BibleTime and Xiphos are free and open source. Only BibleTime runs on macOS.