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Religion · head to head

Bible Gateway vs OpenLP

Bible Gateway logo

Bible Gateway

Religion

Free online Bible access with multiple translations and reading tools

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenLP logo

OpenLP

Religion

Free, open-source presentation software for churches

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bible Gateway study Bibles, commentaries and dictionaries all require Plus at $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year; OpenLP there is no standalone mobile app; the Android and iOS apps are remote controls for a desktop running OpenLP
  • They diverge on capability: Bible Gateway covers Multiple Translations, OpenLP covers Presentation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bible Gateway and OpenLP actually diverge.

Attributes where Bible Gateway and OpenLP differ
AttributeBible GatewayOpenLP
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWindows, Mac, Linux
Founded19932004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Religion).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bible Gateway

  • Multiple Translations
  • Verse Comparison
  • Search
  • Reading Plans
  • Social Sharing
  • Email Integration
  • Mobile App
  • API Access

Only in OpenLP

  • Presentation
  • Lyric Display
  • Media Playback
  • Bible Display
  • Theme Support
  • Plugin System
  • Custom Layouts
  • Scripture Integration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bible Gateway

  • Reading and comparing across more than 70 Bible translationsnot OpenLP
  • Personal notes, highlights and bookmarksnot OpenLP
  • Reading plans and daily devotionalsnot OpenLP
  • Study Bibles and commentaries on the Plus subscriptionnot OpenLP
  • Original language work through the NIV Reverse Interlinearnot OpenLP

OpenLP

  • Member managementnot Bible Gateway
  • Donation trackingnot Bible Gateway
  • Event planningnot Bible Gateway
  • Volunteer schedulingnot Bible Gateway
  • Communicationnot Bible Gateway

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bible Gateway

  • Study Bibles, commentaries and dictionaries all require Plus at $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year
  • The free tier carries advertising, removed only on Plus
  • The free account covers translations, notes and reading plans but no reference works

OpenLP

  • There is no standalone mobile app; the Android and iOS apps are remote controls for a desktop running OpenLP
  • Only the most recent Fedora release and Debian unstable are supported on those distributions
  • The Flatpak build is experimental and the OpenLP team states it does not support its use
  • Requires macOS 10.15 or higher and Windows 10 or higher

Pricing, plan by plan

Bible Gateway

Free
  • Free AccountFree
    • Highlight verses
    • Save favorites
    • Take notes
  • Bible Gateway Plus$5/month
    • 70+ trusted Bible study resources
    • Access beside every passage
    • Annual pricing under $5/month

OpenLP

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Full features
    • No restrictions
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Bible Gateway if

  • You need multiple translations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want verse comparison.
Bible Gateway review

Choose OpenLP if

  • You need presentation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux.
  • You also want lyric display.
OpenLP review

Questions people ask

Is Bible Gateway or OpenLP better?
Neither clearly leads. Bible Gateway starts at Free and OpenLP at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bible Gateway or OpenLP?
Bible Gateway starts at Free and OpenLP at Free.
Does Bible Gateway or OpenLP run on more platforms?
Bible Gateway runs on Web, IOS, Android. OpenLP runs on Windows, Mac, Linux.
Can I use Bible Gateway for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bible Gateway best used for?
Bible Gateway is most often used for reading and comparing across more than 70 bible translations, personal notes, highlights and bookmarks, reading plans and daily devotionals, study bibles and commentaries on the plus subscription. Of those, reading and comparing across more than 70 bible translations and personal notes, highlights and bookmarks are not what OpenLP is typically brought in for.
What can Bible Gateway do that OpenLP cannot?
Bible Gateway covers Multiple Translations, Verse Comparison, Search, Reading Plans. OpenLP covers Presentation, Lyric Display, Media Playback, Bible Display.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bible Gateway: How much does Bible Gateway Plus cost?

Less than $5 per month when billed annually; promotional pricing was available through September 14.

Source
OpenLP: How much does OpenLP cost?

OpenLP is completely free to download, install, and use. Being open source means OpenLP is free forever with no licensing or subscription fees.

Source
Bible Gateway: Is there a free version of Bible Gateway?

Yes, free account available that enables highlighting verses, saving favorites, and taking notes for future reference.

Source
OpenLP: Can I install OpenLP on multiple computers for free?

Yes, OpenLP can be downloaded, installed on multiple computers, and distributed to others at no cost.

Source
OpenLP: What platforms does OpenLP support?

OpenLP is free for Windows, Mac, Linux, and FreeBSD platforms with no platform-specific licensing costs.

Source
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