BibleScribe
0/10
Simply unusable. The default notes app is better. It does not include the text of the Bible. It constantly asks to buy a subscription. Don’t get it. When you first open the app, it tells you that it’s “personalized” your journey, and that “Stronger Faith Begins with Each Step of Obedience.” This is horrible theology, and also says that spiritual growth is an “Achievement.”
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible-scribe-sermon-audio-note/id6758812147
Digible
2/10
This Bible app has various version, none of which are non-translations, which is good. The interface is extremely weak. The options for highlighting and note taking are terrible. I don’t recommend this.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/digible-digital-bible-journal/id6748240828
Bible Mark Up
4/10
This Bible app has a lot of potential. It fits a very specific niche. Say that you want to mark up three specific verses. This app allows you to select those verses, and put those on a digital “Canvas.” Then you can mark up the text. I’ve seen John Piper mark up texts for his Look at the Book videos, and this seems like it’s a phone version of that software.
There are a lot of options for how to mark up the text. And the options between “Free Draw,” “Underline,” and “Circle” make for a good baseline for how to mark up the text. There is an extensive colour pallet to use, and different digital tools to choose from. However, there are ways this app simply fails short. You constantly have to open settings to shift functions and/or colours. Even to scroll the “canvas” requires switching settings.
I really like the concept of this app. It’s just disappointing how hard it is to actually use for anything practical.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible-mark-up-bible-study/id986455115
Pencil Bible
5/10
This app is definitely intended for an iPad and not a phone. It has a few good versions to choose from, but requires payment for ESV. It’s functionality is interesting, and some features are really neat. For example, it allows you to mark up the text, and it also has a 1 to 1 notes page for each chapter of the Bible (if you need more space to take notes). A few features are frustrating to use, like trying to use text boxes to type notes instead of draw them. For me, that really reduces it’s usefulness.
I suppose this app is worth trying if you have an iPad and maybe a stylus, but with the limited versions to choose from and the few crucial features that aren’t well designed, it’s not the app I see people falling in love with.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pencil-bible-journal-study/id1612587185