Bible Reading Plan Apps Compared
Most Bible apps offer pre-made reading plans you choose from a library. BiblePlan is different — it's a free plan builder that lets you pick any books, set any timeline, and get algorithm-balanced daily readings. Here's how it compares to YouVersion, Bible Gateway, Dwell, and Glorify.
Feature comparison
| Feature | BiblePlan | YouVersion | Bible Gateway | Dwell | Glorify |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom plan builder | Build from any books, genres, or testaments | Pre-made plans only (10,000+ library) | Pre-made plans only (~10 options) | Pre-made plans only (~75 plans) | Pre-made plans only |
| Pricing | Free forever | Free (with ads) | Free + $3.99/mo premium | $59.99/yr or $9.99/mo | $6.99/mo |
| Ads | None | Yes | Yes (free tier) | Yes (free tier) | Limited |
| Algorithm-balanced readings | Yes — by chapter or verse count | No (curated plans) | No | No | No |
| Rebalance & catch-up tools | Yes — redistribute remaining readings | No | No | No | No |
| Multiple concurrent plans | Unlimited | Yes | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| Exclude specific days | Yes (any days) | No | No | No | No |
| Bible translations | 8 (NIV, ESV, KJV, NKJV, NLT, NASB, CSB, MSG) | 3,500+ | 200+ | 7 | Limited |
| Progress analytics | Multi-plan charts, streaks, verse & chapter stats | Streaks | Basic tracking | Listening stats | Basic |
| Email reminders | Yes (timezone-aware) | Push notifications | Email devotionals | Push notifications | Push notifications |
| Audio Bible | No (links to Bible Gateway for reading) | Yes | Yes (30+ languages) | Yes (core feature) | Yes |
| CSV export | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Account required to preview | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Why BiblePlan is different
Every app listed above offers reading plans — but they all work the same way: browse a library of pre-made plans and pick one. If none of them match what you want to read or how long you have, you're out of luck.
BiblePlan is a plan builder, not a plan library. You choose the books, set the dates, exclude days off, and the algorithm generates a balanced daily schedule. Want to read the Gospels and Psalms simultaneously in 90 days, skipping Sundays? Done in 30 seconds.
And when life interrupts your plan — and it will — BiblePlan's rebalance tool redistributes your remaining readings across new dates so you can still finish without starting over. No other app does this.
It's also completely free. No ads, no premium tier, no feature gates. Every feature — unlimited plans, email reminders, analytics, CSV export — is available to everyone.
App-by-app breakdown
BiblePlan vs YouVersion
YouVersion (Bible.com) is the most popular Bible app in the world, and for good reason — it offers over 10,000 reading plans, 3,500+ translations, audio Bibles, and a strong social community with group study tools.
Where BiblePlan differs is in customization. YouVersion's plans are pre-made by publishers and churches. If you want to read a specific set of books on a specific timeline, you can't build that in YouVersion — you have to browse the library and hope something fits.
BiblePlan lets you build exactly the plan you want: pick any books, set any date range, exclude days off, and the algorithm balances your daily readings automatically. If you fall behind, the rebalance tool redistributes what's left. And it's all free with no ads.
Choose YouVersion if you want a massive library of curated plans and social features. Choose BiblePlan if you want full control over what you read and when.
BiblePlan vs Bible Gateway
Bible Gateway is one of the most trusted online Bible resources, offering 200+ translations and powerful search tools. Its reading plans are straightforward — about 10 options including chronological, Old/New Testament, and Bible-in-90-days.
Bible Gateway's strength is as a reference tool, not a plan builder. It doesn't let you customize a plan, choose specific books, or rebalance when you fall behind. The free tier includes ads, and the premium tier ($3.99/month) adds study tools and removes ads.
BiblePlan actually links to Bible Gateway for reading passages, so the two work well together — BiblePlan handles the planning and tracking, while Bible Gateway provides the text in your preferred translation.
BiblePlan vs Dwell
Dwell is an audio-first Bible app with beautifully narrated scripture, background music, and a sleep mode. It's excellent if listening is your primary way of engaging with the Bible.
However, Dwell is one of the most expensive Bible apps at $59.99/year. The free tier is limited to one voice with frequent upgrade prompts. It supports 7 translations (all English), offers about 75 listening plans, and doesn't support custom plan creation.
If you prefer reading over listening and want to build a custom plan, BiblePlan is a better fit — and it's free. If audio is essential to your Bible engagement, Dwell is worth considering, though you may want BiblePlan alongside it for planning and tracking.
BiblePlan vs Glorify
Glorify is a devotional and wellness-focused Christian app backed by a16z. It combines daily devotionals, guided meditations, sleep stories, journaling, and Bible reading into a single experience.
Glorify's reading plans are part of a broader devotional workflow rather than standalone Bible reading schedules. The app costs $6.99/month for full access, with the free tier limited to read-only daily passages.
BiblePlan is more focused: it's specifically a Bible reading plan tool. If you want a meditation-and-devotional app that includes some Bible reading, Glorify is solid. If you want to build and track a custom Bible reading plan without paying a subscription, BiblePlan is the better choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is BiblePlan really free?
Yes. BiblePlan is 100% free with no ads, no paywalls, and no feature limits. Every feature — unlimited plans, email reminders, analytics, CSV export — is available at no cost. BiblePlan is user-supported through optional donations.
Can I create a fully custom Bible reading plan?
Yes. BiblePlan is the only app that lets you build a reading plan from scratch. Pick any combination of books, testaments, or genres, set your start and end dates, exclude specific days (like Sundays), and the algorithm generates a balanced daily schedule automatically.
What is the best alternative to YouVersion for reading plans?
BiblePlan is a strong alternative to YouVersion if you want full control over your reading plan. While YouVersion offers 10,000+ pre-made plans, BiblePlan lets you build a fully custom plan with any books, any timeframe, and balanced daily readings — all for free with no ads.
How does BiblePlan distribute readings evenly?
BiblePlan uses an algorithm that considers verse counts and chapter lengths to distribute readings evenly across your available days. It supports both chapter-based and verse-based distribution modes, so your daily reading load stays consistent rather than swinging between 1 chapter and 10.
Can I run multiple Bible reading plans at once?
Yes. BiblePlan supports unlimited concurrent plans. You can track a whole-Bible plan, a Psalms devotional, and a church reading program all at the same time, each with its own progress tracking and analytics.
What happens if I fall behind on my reading plan?
BiblePlan has a built-in rebalance tool that redistributes your remaining readings across new dates so you can still finish on time. You can also extend your end date or manually mark readings as caught up. No need to start over.