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Line 145: − + − + − Linux, iOS, and Android. The following is a partial list of the available software:+ + + + + + + + + + + +
Added detail to software tools
above. Some are free while others are commercial products. Most commercial products
above. Some are free while others are commercial products. Most commercial products
also have a free version that includes a handful of reference works with the option
also have a free version that includes a handful of reference works with the option
of purchasing additional ones. Some are limited to browsers accessing web sites,
of purchasing additional ones.
while others have programs running on one or more hardware platforms: Windows, Mac,
===Web sites vs Apps===
Study apps can be divided into two general categories: online and downloadable apps. Reliable online sites provide a large library of works, and they may completely meet one's needs. But web sites typically don't provide a means of saving your preferences or allowing you to save user-created content. Apps, on the other hand, allow you to customize your experience much more. Apps also provide a higher level of integration between the different reference works and the feature set of the software. Web sites provide the broadest possible access, typically being usable no matter what hardware is being used to access them. However Apps tend to provide a better interface and many operate even when an internet connection is not available.
===App target audiences===
Among apps, there are two basic target audiences: scholarly and general. Apps such as provided by Logos and Accordance are oriented toward seminary students, researchers, professors, and so forth - although they have features that also appeal to lay people. Other Apps are oriented toward lay people, teachers, and pastors - although they may offer some scholarly features as well.
There are also some specialty apps such as memorization tools and prayer journals that don't qualify as Bible study apps. Some Bible study apps provide these features as well.
===Differences between apps===
There are two aspects to all Bible apps: 1) the features of the software and 2) the library of reference works. There are many features that are common to most or all apps. Among these, there are often slight differences in how they work, how easy they are to use, and how useful they are. Other features may be unique to one or two apps. A comparison of all the apps would be impossible to do fairly, or to keep up to date as new versions are released. Apps may vary significantly in terms of usability, visual appeal, performance, and reliability. Further, what appeals to one person may not appeal to another. The best way to determine which app is best for you is to try the free version of each and then pick the one that provides you with the features and reference works that you want. Until you purchase a full version or buy reference works for a specific app, you won't be locked into one. If you have sufficient storage space, you may wish to have more than one app.
Likewise, the library of reference material provided by most Bible apps varies considerably. Some reference works are found in all of them (such as the King James Version of the Bible), while others may be exclusively found in only one app. Each app comes with some "free" works, with the commercial apps offering additional works for a price. The price is almost always less than what you would pay for a print copy, so apps can allow you to build a quite extensive theological library for a fraction of the cost of a printed version. However it should be noted that the reference works that come with many apps are stripped down versions, lacking prefatory material, appendices, and sometimes footnotes, maps, and/or images. Free apps provide many free reference works, including those that commercial apps require you to pay for. Some apps have huge libraries of works available, whether for free or for purchase. But, just as with features, not all reference works are equal in value. So a straight comparison of available reference works can be just as misleading as a feature comparison.
There are essentially two kinds of reference works available: public domain and copyright-protected. Most copyright-protected material is licensed by the companies that provide Bible study software, which requires a royalty payment. Therefore you will have to pay for those works, even with a free app. Public domain material (those published before 1930) may be provided for free or they may cost money, depending upon the company/app/work.
===Partial list of the available software===
<table>
<table>
<tr><th>Program</th><th>Publisher</th><th>Free version?</th><th>Additional content available?</th><th>Platforms</th><th>Notes</th></tr>
<tr><th>Program</th><th>Publisher</th><th>Free version?</th><th>Additional content available?</th><th>Platforms</th><th>Notes</th></tr>