Choosing the Best Bible Software for Ministry
When it comes to Bible software, there are many options to choose from. Each software brings
to the table different strengths and emphases. How do I know what software is right for me?
Digital Voices has come up with 10 categories that you should use to evaluate potential Bible
software. Within each category are sample questions you can ask yourself as you are doing your
research. At the end of the article, we will provide a list of some of the more popular choices on
the market today.
Category 1: English Bible
Unless you have a background in biblical languages (or other ancient/modern foreign languages),
most of your time is going to be spent using the English Bible. The best software will give you
multiple versions to access, search and compare. Some will give you access to cross-reference
resources, topical searches and concordances.
Some questions you might ask are: What are the software’s English Bible search capabilities?
How many English versions does the software have? Can they be compared? What kind of
cross-referencing is available?
Category 2: Bible and Foreign Languages
If you are planning to pursue a seminary degree that requires training in biblical languages, you
will want software to aide you in that journey. Also, if you are ministering in a bilingual or
multilingual environment, it is helpful to have access to Bible translations in other languages.
This category is often what separates leaner and simpler software from more powerful (and more
expensive) ones.
Some questions you might ask are: Does the software possess the ability to search original
language texts? What are the search capabilities? What foreign language Bibles are available?
What about apocryphal and other contemporaneous ancient works that may be helpful for study?
Category 3: In-the-Text Resources
This third category relates well to the second. Software that places a value on the text will also
include aides such as lexicons, grammar and syntax resources to help you properly exegete a
passage. Pay attention to the publishing date of these resources. While certain elements of
scholarship are static, the newer the resource, the more likely it will reflect up-to-date scholarly
information.
Some questions you might ask are: What kind of in-the-text aides are there? Are there lexicons?
Are there grammar aides? Are there topical helps? What is the quality of these aides?
Category 4: Behind-the-Text Resources
As seminarians learn very quickly, the text of the scripture cannot be separated from its context.
There are cultural, economic, political, social, ethical and other realities that underlie the text.
Good software will not neglect these resources. Commentaries can often fill this void (though
they can lack the narrow focus of other works), but a word of caution. There have been many
advances in biblical scholarship in the past few decades. While order commentaries, like
Matthew Henry’s Commentary, will always have their historical value, the more recent the
commentary, the more likely it is to reflect the current understanding of linguistics, history,
culture, archeology, etc.
Some questions you might ask are: What kind of behind-the-text aides are there? Are there
commentaries (both ancient and modern)? Are there archeological, historical or other resources?
What is the quality of these resources?
Category 5: In-Front-of-the-Text Resources
Some software packages will come with in-front-of-the-text resources. These are books about
the Bible, theology or practical ministry. Some software can be used as a digital library system
and is not just limited to specialized reference materials. You will want to weigh the value of
using your software as a library system as opposed to a more general e-reader system like
Kindle, Nook or iBooks.
Some questions you might ask are: Are there any in-front-of-the-text works available? Can the
software be used as a digital library? What is the extent of the resources available? Are these
resources cheaper or easier to access on other e-reader systems?
Category 6: Media Resources
One of the biggest advances in Bible software is the inclusion of multimedia resources. Photos,
videos, maps, presentations, timelines and other digital resources now come “out of the box” in
several software. These offerings are only likely to increase as technology advances.
Some questions you might ask are: What media resources are available? Are there maps and
timelines? Are there photos of archeological finds, geographical areas and landmarks? What
about audio and video resources?
Category 7: Technical and Portability Considerations
In categories 7-10, we move to more practical considerations. There are technical and portability
considerations to take into account. For example, some software only works on PCs. Some
software requires a substantial amount of memory and hard drive space to run effectively. Some
software is restricted to a computer, while others have developed complementary applications for
smart phones and tablets.
Some questions you might ask are: What operating systems can software be used on? Does the
software have apps available for phone and tablets?
Category 8: Price
In this economy, price is always a consideration. Software ranges anywhere from free to
thousands of dollars, depending on your needs. Some of the larger companies offer different
tiers of software. The higher the cost, the more resources and tools are included. Almost all
companies offer a cheaper price to upgrade over the cost of buying the software new.
Some questions you might ask are: How much does the software cost to buy new? How
regularly is the software updated (beyond routine maintenance)? What are the upgrade costs?
How much do add-ons cost?
Category 9: Functionality
Simply put, software needs to work. Just because software is powerful and has many resources
does not guarantee that it will be easy to use, intuitive. Some companies offer customer support,
while others make tutorials and online communities available. If at all possible, see if you can
demo the software before you buy.
Some questions you might ask are: Is the software understandable and easy to use? What kind of
helps are available? Does the company offer technical and user experience support? Are there
tutorials? Is there an online community available to ask questions?
Category 10: Aesthetics
When it comes to software, aesthetics do play at least a minor role. Software that is dull and
unimaginative or, worse yet, visually distracting and abrasive will less likely be used over the
long term.
Some questions you might ask are: Is care of the software’s visual appeal evident? Is the
software’s look and feel distracting? Can I imagine myself using this software again and again?
Popular Bible Software Options (in Alphabetical Order)
1. Accordance
www.accordancebible.com
Company: Oak Tree Software, Inc. – Altamonte Springs, FL
Latest Version: 9 (Released 2010).
Price: $139-349 (3 Levels, Additional Resources Available for Cost); Upgrade from Previous
Version - $49.
2. BibleReader
http://www.olivetree.com/BibleReader/
Company: Olive Tree Bible Software, Inc. – Spokane, WA
Latest Version: 5 (Released 2010)
Price: Free (Basic System, Additional Resources Available for Cost); No Upgrade Fee.
3. BibleWorks
http://www.bibleworks.com/
Company: BibleWorks, LLC – Norfolk, VA
Latest Version: 9 (Released 2010)
Price: $359 (Additional Resources Available for Cost); Upgrade from Previous Version - $159).
4. e-Sword
http://www.e-sword.net/
Company: Rick Meyers
Latest Version: 10 (Released 2011)
Price: Free; No Upgrade Fee.
5. Glo Bible*
http://www.globible.com/
Company: Immersion Digital, Inc. – Orlando, FL
Latest Version: 1 (Released 2009)
Price: Free (Lite); $39 (Full Version); No Upgrade Fee
*Note: The Glo Bible is not Bible Software, per se, but contains a wealth of media resources.
6. Logos
http://www.logos.com/
Company: Logos Research Systems, Inc. – Bellingham, WA
Latest Version: 4 (Released 2009)
Price: $149-4,290 (9 Levels, Additional Resources Available for Cost); Upgrade from Previous
Version - $264-4,290.
7. PC Study Bible
http://www.biblesoft.com/new/
Company: Biblesoft – Seattle, WA
Latest Version: 5 (Released 2007)
Price: $34-449 (6 Levels, Additional Resources Available for Cost); Upgrade from Previous
Version - Price Not Available
8. SwordSearcher
http://www.swordsearcher.com/
Company: StudyLamp Software, LLC – Broken Arrow, OK
Latest Version: 6 (Released 2011)
Price: $59; Upgrade from Previous Version - $24
9. The Bible Library
http://www.biblelibrary.com/
Company: Ellis Enterprises, Inc.
Latest Version: 7 (Released 2012)
Price: $39 (New and Upgrade)
10. the Word Bible Software
http://www.theword.net/
Company: Costas Stergiou
Latest Version: 3 (Released 2011)
Price: Free (Basic System, Additional Resources Available for Cost)
11. Theophilos
http://www.theophilos.com/
Company: Theophilos Bible Software, LLC
Latest Version: 3 (Released 2012)
Price: Free (Limited); $19-69 (New and Upgrade; 3 Levels, Additional Resources Available for
Cost)
12. WORDsearch (also QuickVerse, Bible Search)
http://www.wordsearchbible.com/
Company: WORDsearch (a division of LifeWay Christian Resources) – Austin, TX
Latest Version: 10 (Released 2011)
Price: $29 (New and Upgrade)