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5 Best Linux Bible Apps You Can Use Today

by Kevin Purcell••0
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Linux doesn’t get as much attention as Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, or even Chromecast. However, Linux users love their operating system of choice and Christians can run a group of Linux Bible apps that will help you study God’s word. Take a look at these 5 Best Linux Bible apps that you can use today to study the Bible digitally on the lesser-known operating system of choice.

Before we go any further, I have to admit that I’m an inexperienced Linux user. So, you will need to get help with these from other sources. To install them or get them running if you face a glitch, you’ll need to find help from Linux power users. I’m not your guy. I’m recommending these Linux Bible apps based on trusted sources and not personal experience.

Sword Project from Crosswire Bible Society

The Sword Project is the standard for most Linux Bible apps.

First, I want to share the standard, The Sword Project. The other apps in this roundup all use The Sword Project’s book server to download and install Bibles and tools.

The Sword Project offers the books and lets you search the text, including commentaries, Lexicons, and dictionaries in addition to Bible texts.

Crosswire curates a list of Sword Project Linux Bible Apps and apps for other operating systems, like Windows or Mac.

Xiphos Bible Study Tool for Linux

The main window of Xiphos shows you the Bible text along with other window panes for other tools like a commentary or notes. There’s also a library along the left.

Learn more about Xiphos at their website. The program, formerly called GnomeSword, has a substantial online user manual and a community of users who will also help you get the program running.

The Xiphos Advanced Search box.

Xiphos runs on Gnome desktop. It’s based on the Sword Project, which gives users access to a large library of tools for Bible study.

The Parallel window shows multiple translations at once.

You’ll enjoy a tabbed display, quick searching features, an audio reading out loud feature, a parallel mode for comparing translations, and plenty of user-created tools.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWPTc6T3nS8

Above you’ll see a demo on installing Xiphos Linux Bible app on Gnome.

BibleTime Runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS

Next, we have one of the few Linux Bible apps that will run on Linux and the more popular Windows and macOS operating systems. Find it on Github.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wy04Btgrpo
A video demo of both Xiphos and BibleTime Linux Bible apps. To see BibleTime advanced to 14:22 in the video.

With BibleTime, users will have to install the app, and then they will need to add books because the basic installer doesn’t come with any. The Settings menu shows the Bookshelf Manager where you can add books.

Like Xiphos, BibleTime uses Sword Project books. That gives you access to a large library of books to use in your study.

Bible Desktop

Bible Desktop Maps feature.

The Bible Desktop Linux Bible app also runs on The Sword Project engine and gives us a simple user interface to study the Bible.

Bible comparison tool shows differences between translations.

There’s a Bible comparison tool in Bible Desktop that shows you the differences between translations. Pick the base translation like the ESV chosen in the screenshot above. Then choose another translation and it will show the two translations in the first and third column with differences in the center second column.

Users can choose between a window mode or a tabbed mode.

Run Bible Desktop on your Mac, Windows PC, and of course it’s also one of our favorite Linux Bible apps.

Logos Bible Software on Linux Through WINE

WINE lets users install Windows software on Linux. Getting these up and running can present a challenge, especially to novice users. However, if you can use Linux, you can likely get WINE working to run Bible software on Linux.

Logos Bible Software works on Linux using WINE, sort of. You can find a long thread in the Logos Forums that cover getting the program to work on Linux.

Go Online and Run a Web-based Linux Bible App

I know. This feels like a cop-out, but the best way to do great Bible study on Linux probably requires nothing more than your web browser.

I created a series of the best online Bible study websites and that still holds up despite one site that’s now gone. Wordsearch’s Bible site is on the way out.

I’m Dr. Kevin Purcell, a minister, ministry leader, writer, and technology enthusiast with more than 35 years of experience in Christian ministry. I currently serve as Director of Missions for the Brushy Mountain Baptist Association, where I work alongside churches throughout Wilkes County, North Carolina, to strengthen local congregations, encourage pastors, and advance the Great Commission.

Over the years, I’ve served as a youth pastor and senior pastor, and much of my ministry has focused on helping churches communicate the Gospel more effectively. I hold a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy from Georgetown College.

For more than two decades, I’ve also written about technology, Bible software, preaching, and church ministry. My work has appeared in publications and websites including ChurchTechToday, GottaBeMobile, Preaching Magazine, and iPhone Life. I also create videos and tutorials about Logos Bible Software and other tools that can help pastors and Christians study Scripture more effectively.

KevinPurcell.org brings many of my interests together. Here I write about preaching, Bible study, ministry, artificial intelligence, photography, and technology, with a particular emphasis on helping pastors and churches use technology as a tool rather than allowing it to become a distraction.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple goal: to help build the church of Jesus Christ, make disciples, encourage those who serve in ministry, and help Christians use the tools available to them in service of the Gospel.

0 thoughts on “5 Best Linux Bible Apps You Can Use Today”

  1. One comment about Wine – I’ve found Logos inconsistent, Accordance 13 and e-Sword I can’t get running (haven’t tried too hard), but have found The Word to work perfectly with no tweaking.

    Reply

  2. Kevin, I actually prefer your last suggestion: Go Online and Run a Web-Based App. Logos’ web application has become quite good. Also, I have created a Bible memorization app that runs in Linux. Online Bible tools and targeted companion apps than run on Linux enable Linux users quite well to do Bible study.https://sophoraservices.com/inverse

    Reply

  3. Excelente Trabajo.Pero soy usuario de Logos Biblia Software, desde que era BECA, luengo pasó a ser Libronix y desde hace rato Logos.En realidad, conozco, tengo y utilicé las mencionadas aquí, además de e-Sword, La Biblia Azul y otras más, pero al cesar lo del cesar y a Dios lo de Dios, ninguna supera a Logos.Pero no escribí para decir eso, sino para pedir ayuda, llevo meses intentando instalar Logos en Linux y no he podido, soy nuevo con Linux, y mi lucha es porque no quiero utilizar mas Windows, son muy abusadores, controladores y otras coas más.Mi vida se mueve en Logos Biblia, y necesito tenerla en Linux.Alguien me puede ayudar?Me pueden escribir a omepmd@gmail.com por favor.Estoy orando Al Señor que me ayude.Saludos, gracias y Bendiciones.

    Reply

    1. Ran your comment through Google translate for the sake of other readers. I hope this translation is close enough. If anyone else has any suggestions, please comment below.Translation:Excelente Trabajo.Pero soy usuario de Logos Biblia Software, desde que era BECA, luengo pasó a ser Libronix y desde hace rato Logos.En realidad, conozco, tengo y utilicé las mencionadas aquí, además de e-Sword, La Biblia Azul y otras más, pero al cesar lo del cesar y a Dios lo de Dios, ninguna supera a Logos.Pero no escribí para decir eso, sino para pedir ayuda, llevo meses intentando instalar Logos en Linux y no he podido, soy nuevo con Linux, y mi lucha es porque no quiero utilizar mas Windows, son muy abusadores, controladores y otras coas más.Mi vida se mueve en Logos Biblia, y necesito tenerla en Linux.Alguien me puede ayudar?Me pueden escribir a omepmd@gmail.com por favor.Estoy orando Al Señor que me ayude.Saludos, gracias y Bendiciones.I personally don’t have enough experience or knowledge about installing Logos in Linux, so I can’t answer your question. I’m pretty sure there are a few posts about it in the Logos user forms. You can find those in the Support sectionofthe main logos.com website.

      Reply

  4. The only Bible software you need is found at pure iblesearch dot com it’s free, works with any operating system, and on your cell phones.

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  5. LOGOS can be frustrating when attempting to download, however, there is an LOGOS I run direct from Firefox, it is not downloadable, yet works well and brings up all the purchased modules.I discovered on UBUNTU a handy Bible app: “Bible Mate” the Bible and notes are side by side, thus one is able to keep notes, write sermons and so forth without having to bounce around and having to open another word processor.I do miss “eSword though, still not able to download it. Any advice will be appreciated.

    Reply

    1. The online version of Logos is still the best option for studying the Bible on any form of Linux. I don’t believe you can run e-Sword on Lennox unless you use wine or some other emulation.

      Reply

  6. Hey Kevin!Early this year (2025) I started sharing my personal BIBLE study tool. I wrote this myself, using the “Sword” library as most of the others on this page. Perhaps someone else will find it of use.

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  7. e-Sword on Linux through Wine. Basic version installed easily, works well. Graphics could be better. Since I am new to Linux I had to dig through the files on the hard drive to find the install directory, so that I could manually add my collection of searchable bibles.

    Reply

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