What to look for
- Colors that mean something. Can you name a color ("Promise") rather than remember what pink was for? Can you find every verse marked with it?
- More than one layer. Underlining alongside highlighting lets two simple systems run at once.
- Notes where the verse is. Notes attached to the verse, not in a separate notebook you forget to open.
- Your existing Bible. If you've marked a paper Bible for years, can any of that come with you?
- The translation you read. Licensed translations such as the NIV and ESV are only in some apps.
- Who holds your notes. Do you need an account? Does it work offline?
How three apps compare
| Cloud Bible | YouVersion | Olive Tree | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlighting | Six renameable highlighters, listed by name on the Study screen | Custom colors | Multiple colors, with tags |
| Underline | Separate layer | Not listed | Underline and strikethrough |
| Notes | On any verse | Notes and bookmarks | Folders and tags, searchable |
| Paper Bible import | Photograph a page | Not listed | Not listed |
| Translations | Public domain (BSB, KJV and more) | Thousands, including licensed | Free Bibles; more sold as books |
| Price | Reading free; highlighting in Cloud Bible+ | Free | Free app; study books sold separately |
"Not listed" means we didn't find the feature on the app's own pages; check the app if it matters to you.
Which to choose
Choose YouVersion if
You want everything free, read a licensed translation, or care more about reading plans and audio than about a marking system.
Choose Olive Tree if
You study in depth with commentaries and original-language tools, and want highlights and notes organized with tags across devices, including a computer.
Choose Cloud Bible if
Highlighting is how you read. You want colors that carry their meaning, underlines on their own layer, and the highlights from your paper Bible brought along. How to color code your Bible explains the systems that last, and the color code maker turns one into a printable key.
Or keep the paper Bible
A paper Bible is still the best highlighting tool for many people. If yours bleeds through, the right highlighter matters more than any app; see highlighters that don't bleed through.
Questions
What is the best free Bible app for highlighting?
YouVersion and Olive Tree both let you highlight for free. YouVersion is free throughout; Olive Tree is free with paid study books. Cloud Bible's reader is free, but highlighting is part of Cloud Bible+.
Which Bible app can import highlights from a paper Bible?
Cloud Bible can: photograph a page and its highlights come into the app, with the photo read on your phone and deleted once you have checked the result. We did not find an equivalent in the other apps here.
Can I underline and highlight the same verse?
In Cloud Bible, yes: underlines are a separate layer, so a verse can be highlighted for one meaning and underlined for another. Olive Tree also offers underline and strikethrough styles.
Do I need a color code?
No, but a small one helps you find things later. Four to six colors, each answering one question you ask of the text, is the size people tend to keep.
Sources
- YouVersion: The Bible App
- Bible by YouVersion on the App Store
- Olive Tree Bible App
Prices vary by country and change over time; the App Store and Google Play show the current price before you pay.