Xiphos

Open-source GTK Bible study software for Linux and Windows using SWORD modules.

Open sourceBible study apps

Updated Oct 30, 2026 · AppBreakup editorial · Linux, Windows

Visit Xiphos See 5 alternatives

Is Xiphos free?

Yes, free and open source

License:: GPL-2.0

Checked on Xiphos's site Oct 30, 2026

Switch from Xiphos to

All 5

BibleTime
Open source
Ezra Bible App
Open source
YouVersion Bible App
Free

Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 5
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About Xiphos

Xiphos is a free Bible study program for Linux, other Unix systems and Windows, built with GTK. Like BibleTime, it reads modules from CrossWire's SWORD Project, so you can download Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries and books in many languages through its module manager. It offers parallel Bible views, searching, Strong's lookups, a personal journal and study notes, and supports BibleSync for following along with another app on a network. The project is open source under the GPL and has been developed since 2000, with release 4.5.0 in August 2026. Windows users get an official installer, while Linux users install it from their distribution. It doesn't run on macOS or phones, and its interface is functional rather than modern. The free module library also lacks most recent copyrighted translations, which commercial tools like Logos sell.

Best for: Linux and Windows users who want a free SWORD-based Bible study program with a GTK interface.

Xiphos pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)

Each line is quoted from Xiphos's own site, with the page it came from.

Plan or term	What it says	Checked	Source
Price	Free	Nov 8, 2026	xiphos.org

What works

Free and open source, developed since 2000
Module manager gives access to the CrossWire library
Official Windows installer as well as Linux packages

Why people leave

No macOS or mobile version
Dated interface compared with newer Bible apps
Few recent copyrighted translations in the free library

Xiphos vs BibleTime, 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	Xiphos	BibleTime	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	Linux, Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	iOS, Android, Web

Top Xiphos alternatives

See all 5

1
BibleTime
Same SWORD library in a Qt app that also runs on macOS.
68.8
2
Ezra Bible App
Modern interface focused on tagging verses, with mobile apps and sync.
64.8
3
YouVersion Bible App
Free on phones and the web, with thousands of translations, reading plans and audio Bibles, though fewer study tools.
61.8
4
Logos Bible Study
Paid, much deeper library and original-language tools for serious study, on Windows, Mac and mobile instead of Linux.
59.4
5
Bible Gateway
Browser-based, with many modern English translations and an optional commentary library.
42.3

Why people left Xiphos

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Xiphos: common questions

What is Xiphos?

Xiphos: Open-source GTK Bible study software for Linux and Windows using SWORD modules. Best for linux and Windows users who want a free SWORD-based Bible study program with a GTK interface. Available for Linux and Windows.

Is Xiphos free?

Yes. Xiphos is free, open-source software.

How much does Xiphos cost?

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

Is Xiphos open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at crosswire/xiphos.

What platforms does Xiphos run on?

Xiphos is available for Linux and Windows.

What are the best alternatives to Xiphos?

The highest-ranked Xiphos alternatives right now are BibleTime, Ezra Bible App and YouVersion Bible App. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

Xiphos vs BibleTime: what's the difference?

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

See all 5 Xiphos alternatives

Xiphos facts

4 of 4 verified

License: GPL-2.0; Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab); “License: GPL-2.0 (GNU General Public License v2.0).”
Latest release: 4.5.0 (31 Aug 2026); Checked Nov 8, 2026xiphos.org(opens source in a new tab); “Xiphos 4.5.0 released August 31, 2026”
Platforms: Linux, UNIX, Windows; Checked Nov 8, 2026xiphos.org(opens source in a new tab); “Bible study tool written for Linux, UNIX, and Windows using GTK”
Price: Free; Checked Nov 8, 2026xiphos.org(opens source in a new tab); “It is open-source software, and available free-of-charge to all.”