Looking for an e-Sword alternative?
Midvash is Bible & Devotional: a daily devotional and a modern study Bible, on the web and in the iOS and Android apps. No Windows required, works on any device.
e-Sword has been a faithful free desktop tool for decades. This page is an honest comparison so you can pick the right tool for your study.
e-Sword is a free Bible study program for Windows (with Mac and mobile ports) that has served readers for over twenty years. It comes with a huge library of free downloadable modules (commentaries, dictionaries, devotionals) and feels like a Windows program from the 2000s. The depth is real; the interface is dated. We’re not here to disrespect a tool that has discipled people for decades. What we built is different: a daily devotional and a modern, fast study Bible, on the web and in the iOS and Android apps, that opens on any device, with a curated dictionary, character studies, theology terms, cross-references, commentaries, and AI in Midvash Pro. If you’re settled in e-Sword and your modules, stay. If you want a clean, modern, cross-device experience, Midvash may serve you better.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Midvash | e-Sword |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Bible reading open; Pro subscription | Free (some modules paid) |
| Install / device | Web on any device; iOS and Android apps | Windows-first; Mac/iOS/Android ports |
| Modern UI | Yes | Windows-2000s feel |
| Bible versions | 80+ versions | Many modules, mostly older public-domain |
| Commentaries | Curated, inline | Many downloadable modules |
| Bible dictionary | Full curated | Older modules available |
| Character studies | Major biblical figures | Via encyclopedias |
| Theology terms | Curated glossary | Not available |
| Cross-references | Inline | Via TSK module |
| Gospel harmony | Synoptic side-by-side | Via separate module |
| AI study assistant | In Midvash Pro | Not available |
| Cross-device study | Any browser | Tied to device installs |
| Offline use | In the iOS and Android apps | Yes, fully local |
| Updates | Continuous, no action | Manual module updates |
| Daily devotional | Guided, on the web and in the app | Devotional modules to read |
| Modern web UX | Yes | Desktop-era UI |
When e-Sword is the better choice
- •You want a fully offline, local Bible study setup.
- •You depend on a specific e-Sword module collection.
- •You have unreliable internet and need something always-available.
- •You’re comfortable with desktop-style software.
When Midvash might serve you better
- You want a modern, fast, clean reading experience.
- You want the same study experience on phone, tablet, and computer.
- You don’t want to install or maintain modules.
- You want a curated study layer (dictionary, theology, characters) built in, with an AI study companion in Midvash Pro.
- You want a short daily devotional and a study Bible, on the web and in the app.
Our posture
e-Sword has put serious Bible study into people’s hands for decades, for free. We honor that work. Midvash is a different shape: a daily devotional and a modern study Bible, on the web and in the app. Use whichever helps you abide in the Word.
“The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
Frequently asked questions
Does Midvash work offline?
Yes, in the iOS and Android apps, which read the Bible offline. The study Bible on the web works best online. If you want a whole study library installed locally, e-Sword is stronger.
How much does Midvash cost?
Reading the Bible on the web is open, with no account needed, and there are no modules to buy. Midvash Pro is a paid subscription that adds AI study, audio and notes.
Do I have to install anything?
Not for the web: Midvash runs in any browser. The daily devotional lives on the web and in the iOS and Android apps.
Does Midvash work on Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android?
Yes. On the web, any device with a modern browser; on iPhone and Android there are also native apps.
Are there commentaries inside Midvash?
Yes, a curated set of public-domain and modern commentaries, inline.
Does Midvash use AI?
Yes, in Midvash Pro: an AI study assistant that talks through the chapter and guides studies, grounded in Scripture.
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Open any Bible version in one click. No install. No sign-up.
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