STEP Bible
Free, open-source Bible study tool with Greek and Hebrew word study, on the web and desktop.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Is STEP Bible free?
Yes, free to use
- License:
- BSD-3-Clause
Checked on STEP Bible's site Nov 8, 2026
Switch from STEP Bible to
All 5
Bible GatewayStarting price: $6.99 a month (Plus, billed monthly)
- OlOlive Tree Bible App
Free plan + paid
Ezra Bible AppOpen source
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 5
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About STEP Bible
STEP Bible (Scripture Tools for Every Person) is a free Bible study tool from Tyndale House in Cambridge. In the browser you can read hundreds of Bible translations side by side and click any word to see the underlying Greek or Hebrew, its dictionary meaning and where else it appears. It adds grammar notes, word searches, cross-references, reading plans and resources such as maps, timelines and lists of people and places. It is built for people who want original-language study without paying for software like Logos, including pastors, students and translators in many countries. The website is the main way to use it; a downloadable desktop version for Windows, Mac and Linux works offline and includes ESV, NIV and ancient-language texts, with more Bibles in hundreds of languages added by hand. The code is open source under a BSD licence. The interface is dense, and there are no paid commentaries library or polished mobile apps.
Best for: Students and pastors who want free Greek and Hebrew word study.
STEP Bible pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from STEP Bible's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Nov 8, 2026 | stepbible.org |
Pros and cons
What works
- Free original-language word study
- Hundreds of translations to compare side by side
- Offline desktop version for Windows, Mac and Linux
- Open source
Why people leave
- Busy interface with a learning curve
- No native mobile apps
- Fewer commentaries and reference books than paid suites
STEP Bible vs Bible Gateway, Olive Tree Bible App and Ezra 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 | STEP Bible | Bible Gateway | Olive Tree Bible App | Ezra Bible App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid | Open source |
| Verified price | — | $6.99 a month (Plus, billed monthly) | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Yes, free account | Yes | Free app |
| Open source | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux | Web, iOS, Android | iOS, Android, macOS, Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
Top STEP Bible alternatives
See all 5- 1Bible Gateway68.8
Simpler free web reader with a huge set of translations and easy search.
- 2OlOlive Tree Bible App64.8
Polished mobile and desktop apps with a store of commentaries and study Bibles.
- 3Ezra Bible App61.8
Free open-source desktop app focused on tagging and topical study.
- 4
Xiphos59.4Free open-source desktop study tool on the SWORD library, with many modules.
- 5
YouVersion Bible App57.5Better for daily reading, plans and mobile use than deep word study.
Why people left STEP Bible
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from STEP Bible, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers
Write a review of STEP Bible
STEP Bible: common questions
What is STEP Bible?
STEP Bible: Free, open-source Bible study tool with Greek and Hebrew word study, on the web and desktop. Best for students and pastors who want free Greek and Hebrew word study. Available for Web, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is STEP Bible free?
Yes, STEP Bible is free to use.
How much does STEP Bible cost?
STEP Bible is free to use. Price: Free. Checked on STEP Bible's own site, November 2026.
Is STEP Bible open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at STEPBible/step.
What platforms does STEP Bible run on?
STEP Bible is available for Web, Windows, macOS and Linux.
What are the best alternatives to STEP Bible?
The highest-ranked STEP Bible alternatives right now are Bible Gateway, Olive Tree Bible App and Ezra Bible App. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
STEP Bible vs Bible Gateway: what's the difference?
STEP Bible is free to use; Bible Gateway is free with paid plans. STEP Bible is open source and Bible Gateway is not. Only STEP Bible runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Only Bible Gateway runs on iOS and Android.