The short answer
The best daily devotional app for a devotional that explains the passage, not only a verse, is Bible Studies for Women ($79.99 a year), at about 5, 10 or 20 minutes a day. The best free choice is Our Daily Bread, a short devotion on a few verses each morning. For free plans on any topic, try YouVersion, and for a guided 10-minute quiet time, Glorify.
- Best for understanding the passage: Bible Studies for Women, which has you read the passage and then explains it in plain words, at about 5, 10 or 20 minutes ($7.99 a month or $79.99 a year, no free trial).
- Best free daily devotional: Our Daily Bread, a short devotion on a few verses with a reflection question and prayer, free on iPhone and Android.
- Best free for choice: YouVersion, with thousands of free plans and devotionals in 3,500+ Bible versions.
- Best 5-minute start: First 5 from Proverbs 31 Ministries, free, working through one book of the Bible a few verses at a time.
- Best guided quiet time: Glorify, a quote, a passage and a devotional in about 10 minutes, with much of the app in Glorify Plus.
Members of the Word makes Bible Studies for Women, one of the apps in this guide. We checked every other app's price and features on its App Store listing, Google Play listing or official site on September 29, 2026. Prices are in US dollars and can vary by country.
Most daily devotional apps give you a verse and someone else's reflection on it. That can be a good start, but it is hard to tell from the store page how much of the Bible you will actually read each day.
The other thing lists rarely say is how long a day takes. Some devotionals are a few minutes, some ask for fifteen, and some let you choose.
So this guide compares each app on two things: time a day and how much Scripture you read. We checked every app on the App Store, Google Play and its developer's own site on September 29, 2026.
At a glance
| App | Time a day | How much Scripture you read | Price | Free version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bible Studies for Women | About 5, 10 or 20 minutes, you choose | The study passage, then a plain-words explanation of it | $7.99/mo or $79.99/yr | No, and no free trial |
| Our Daily Bread | Not stated, a short devotion | A few verses each day, plus an optional Bible in a Year plan | Free | Yes, the whole app |
 YouVersion Bible App | Depends on the plan | Depends on the plan, with the full Bible alongside | Free | Yes, the whole app |
 First 5 | About 5 minutes, per First 5 | A few verses a day, working through one book | Free. Study guides sold separately | Yes, the whole app |
 Glorify | About 10 minutes, per Glorify | A daily Bible passage with a devotional | Glorify Plus, prices vary | Some content |
 First15 | About 15 minutes, per First15 | Not stated in its listing | Free | Yes, with ads on Android |
 Lectio 365 | Three short prayer times, length not stated | A psalm and a Scripture reading each morning | Free | Yes, the whole app |
 Desiring God ft. Solid Joys | A few minutes, per its listing | Each reading points you to one passage | Free | Yes, the whole app |
| Jesus Calling | Not stated, one reading a day | The day's Scriptures printed in full under the reading | $2.99/mo, or $4.99/mo or $49.99/yr | First seven days only |
Our app
Members of the Word
1. Bible Studies for Women
Best for a daily devotional that explains the passage, not only a verse
Bible Studies for Women is a guided Bible study app that works as a daily devotional. It earns first place for one reason: you read the passage itself, and then it is explained to you in plain words.
The Today screen opens with a verse of the day, with its context, a short reflection and a prayer, then takes you straight back into your study.
Each session moves through six stages: Read, Look closely, The Breakdown (a plain-words explanation with context and translation notes), The Spark (reflection questions, with writing optional), Pray it through, and Walk It Out.
You choose about 5, 10 or 20 minutes for each study. All three are routes through the same study, on the days you pick: daily, twice a week, weekly or every two weeks.
- Best for
- a daily devotional that explains the passage, not only a verse
- Price
- $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year. No free trial
- Platforms
- iPhone and Android
What stands out
- Verse of the day with context, reflection and prayer
- Twelve guided plans of seven sessions, from James and Philippians to Ruth, rest and grief
- Hundreds of verse studies and reads in the Library, by subject
- The full Berean Standard Bible offline, with highlights, notes and bookmarks
- A private journal on your phone, with export to a plain text file any time
Worth knowing
- It is the only paid-only app in this list: $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year, with no free version and no free trial. A subscription is needed once setup is finished.
- There is no audio and no community feature, so it will not read the devotional to you or connect you with a group.
- We make this app, which is why we are clear about the price and the limits.
Make room for the Word.
Guided studies, the full Bible, a private journal and prayer, in one quiet place.
2. Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Bread Ministries
Best for a free, short daily devotion with a Bible in a Year plan alongside
Our Daily Bread puts the new devotion on the home screen each morning, to read or listen to. Each one pairs a short passage with an encouragement, a reflection question and a guided prayer.
The Bible in a Year plan from the printed devotional sits on the same home screen, so you can read far more Scripture on days you have time.
- Best for
- a free, short daily devotion with a Bible in a Year plan alongside
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- iPhone and Android
What stands out
- A new devotion each morning, to read or listen to
- A reflection question and a guided prayer with each devotion
- Bible in a Year plan, plus topical reading plans, including My Utmost for His Highest
- In-app Bible in translations including NIV, KJV, ESV and NLT, in 20+ languages
- Reading streaks, bookmarks and reminders
Worth knowing
- The devotion is a short reflection on a few verses, such as Matthew 18:10-14, rather than a study of a whole book.
- It is rated 3.9 on the App Store, well below its 4.6 on Google Play.
Our Daily Bread on App Store Our Daily Bread on Google Play Our Daily Bread on Website
3. YouVersion Bible App
Life.Church
Best for free devotional plans on almost any topic, in the translation you prefer
YouVersion is free, with no in-app purchases, and holds thousands of reading plans and devotionals from many publishers, from a few days on a topic to the whole Bible in a year.
How long a day takes and how much Scripture you read depend entirely on the plan you choose, which makes it the most flexible app here.
- Best for
- free devotional plans on almost any topic, in the translation you prefer
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- iPhone and Android
What stands out
- Thousands of reading plans and devotionals
- 3,500+ Bible versions in 2,300+ languages
- Audio Bibles for select versions
- Highlights, bookmarks and notes, synced with a free account
- Read plans together with friends
Worth knowing
- With thousands of plans from different publishers, tone and depth vary, and choosing a good one is left to you.
- The iPhone app now needs iOS 18.
YouVersion Bible App on App Store YouVersion Bible App on Google Play YouVersion Bible App on Website
4. First 5
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Best for a free five-minute teaching that works through a book of the Bible
First 5 gives you a short teaching each day as the ministry works through one book of the Bible, focusing on a passage at a time and how it applies to life.
Its site frames the app as a 5-minute quiet time, with printed study guides for the days you have 15 minutes.
- Best for
- a free five-minute teaching that works through a book of the Bible
- Price
- Free. Printed study guides sold separately
- Platforms
- iPhone and Android
What stands out
- A new teaching every day, working through a book of the Bible
- Highlight, note and share any part of a teaching, and export your notes
- Built-in Bible with search, bookmarks and highlights
- A daily reminder at a time you choose
- Private and public community groups
Worth knowing
- You follow the ministry's calendar, so the book you read is the one it is teaching now.
- The App Store listing carries a "Contains Advertising" label, and the app was last updated in April 2026.
First 5 on App Store First 5 on Google Play First 5 on Website
5. Glorify
TUPOE LTD
Best for a guided 10-minute quiet time with meditation and worship music
Glorify builds a daily quiet time: an opening quote, a Bible passage, a devotional that walks through it, then a Daily Walk with God, a guided meditation.
It says the routine fits in about 10 minutes, and adds courses, a journal, prayer requests, community groups and worship music.
- Best for
- a guided 10-minute quiet time with meditation and worship music
- Price
- Free download. Glorify Plus $6.99 to $9.99 a month or $41.99 to $69.99 a year on the App Store
- Platforms
- iPhone and Android
What stands out
- Daily quote, Bible passage and devotional
- Guided Christian meditations, including sleep meditations
- Courses on the Bible and faith
- Journal, shared prayer requests and community groups
- Several translations, including the KJV
Worth knowing
- Much of the app sits behind Glorify Plus, and the App Store lists several prices for the same plan, so check the price you are shown.
- On Apple devices the listing names iPhone and Apple Vision, not iPad.
Glorify on App Store Glorify on Google Play Glorify on Website
6. First15
Denison Ministries
Best for a free, slightly longer morning devotional with prayer and worship
First15 is written around the belief that 15 minutes with God can change your day. Its site says the devotionals are free, forever, online, by email or in the app.
Guided prayers and worship moments sit alongside the devotional, so the 15 minutes include prayer and a song, not only reading.
- Best for
- a free, slightly longer morning devotional with prayer and worship
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- iPhone and Android
What stands out
- A daily devotional designed for about 15 minutes
- Guided Prayers tab with search and filters
- Going Deeper content by type
- Worship Moments linking to YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify
- Favorites and notifications
Worth knowing
- Its listing does not say how much Scripture each devotional includes.
- Google Play labels it "Contains ads", which is unusual for a ministry app.
First15 on App Store First15 on Google Play First15 on Website
7. Lectio 365
24-7 Prayer
Best for praying with Scripture morning, midday and night, free
Lectio 365 is a completely free devotional from 24-7 Prayer, an interdenominational prayer movement, built around three short prayer times a day.
Each morning follows the P.R.A.Y. rhythm, with a psalm and a Scripture reading. Midday centers on the Lord's Prayer, and night prayer is inspired by the Examen.
- Best for
- praying with Scripture morning, midday and night, free
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- iPhone and Android
What stands out
- Morning, midday and night prayers
- A psalm and Scripture reflection each morning, inspired by Lectio Divina
- Listen with or without music, or read
- Download prayers a week ahead
- Seasonal and topical series, including prayer for world news
Worth knowing
- Favorites are kept only for the last 30 days of devotionals.
- The iPhone app does not run on iPad, and the listing uses UK spelling.
Lectio 365 on App Store Lectio 365 on Google Play Lectio 365 on Website
8. Desiring God ft. Solid Joys
Desiring God
Best for a few minutes with John Piper each day, offline and with no account
This new app holds all 365 Solid Joys devotionals by John Piper, built in for offline reading, with no ads, no in-app purchases and no account.
Its listing says each reading takes only a few minutes and points you to a passage of Scripture. Every devotional is also narrated by John Piper.
- Best for
- a few minutes with John Piper each day, offline and with no account
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- iPhone and Android
What stands out
- All 365 Solid Joys devotionals, offline
- Narration by John Piper, with background playback
- No sign-up, login or account
- Read any day in any order
- Solid Joys links open straight in the app
Worth knowing
- It is new: first released on the App Store on July 16, 2026, and the listing says more features are still being built.
- Every reading comes from one teacher, so it suits you best if you already value John Piper's writing.
Desiring God ft. Solid Joys on App Store Desiring God ft. Solid Joys on Google Play Desiring God ft. Solid Joys on Website
9. Jesus Calling
HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Best for readers who love Sarah Young's devotionals and want them on their phone
Jesus Calling is the app version of Sarah Young's 365-day devotional. The paid plans include the day's Scriptures in full with each reading.
The $2.99 plan opens the Jesus Calling devotional. Premium adds her wider library, including Jesus Listens and Jesus Always, with companion audiobooks.
- Best for
- readers who love Sarah Young's devotionals and want them on their phone
- Price
- First seven days free. $2.99 a month, or $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year for the full library
- Platforms
- iPhone and Android
What stands out
- 365-day Jesus Calling devotional with complete Scriptures
- Favorite, share and take notes on readings
- Companion audiobooks on the paid plans
- Premium opens the full Sarah Young library
- Quarterly Jesus Calling Magazine
Worth knowing
- Each reading is written as if Jesus is speaking to you. The listing says this is the author's style and that the Bible is the only infallible Word of God.
- Without a subscription, only the first seven days of each devotional are free.
Jesus Calling on App Store Jesus Calling on Google Play Jesus Calling on Website
How long a devotional takes, and how much Bible you read
Two apps can both be called a daily devotional and still ask very different things of your morning. Here is how the nine compare.
- A few minutes, a few verses: Our Daily Bread, First 5 and Solid Joys. Good for building the habit on busy mornings.
- About 10 to 15 minutes, with prayer or worship: Glorify (about 10 minutes) and First15 (about 15). Lectio 365 spreads three short prayer times across the day.
- You choose the length: Bible Studies for Women lets you pick about 5, 10 or 20 minutes for the same study, and on YouVersion it depends on the plan.
- The most Scripture: a Bible in a Year plan, in Our Daily Bread or YouVersion, or a passage read and explained in Bible Studies for Women.
Free daily devotional apps
Our Daily Bread, YouVersion, First 5, Lectio 365 and Solid Joys are free with no in-app purchases in their store listings. First15 is free, with ads on Android.
Two more free options: [Streams in the Desert](https://www.taptapstudio.com), the classic Cowman devotional with a daily verse, free with ads and a $7.99 ad removal, and [In Touch Ministries](https://www.intouch.org), daily devotions to read or listen to, alongside Charles Stanley's broadcasts.
Glorify and Jesus Calling are free only in part, and Bible Studies for Women has no free version. You can export everything you write in it as a plain text file, whether or not a subscription is active.
Looking for a devotional app written for women?
Most apps above are written for every reader. If you want devotionals and studies written for women, such as First 5 and Love God Greatly, see our guide to the best daily devotional apps for women.
Which one should you choose?
You want the passage explained, not only a verse and a reflection
Bible Studies for Women. You read the passage, then The Breakdown explains it in plain words, at about 5, 10 or 20 minutes.
You want a free, short devotion every morning
Our Daily Bread. For a free daily devotion, Our Daily Bread is a stronger choice than our app, with a Bible in a Year plan beside it.
You want free devotionals on many topics, in many translations
YouVersion Bible App. Thousands of free plans and 3,500+ Bible versions, which our app does not offer.
You have five minutes and want to work through a book
First 5. A free short teaching each day from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
You want meditation and worship music with your devotional
Glorify. A guided quiet time of about 10 minutes, with meditations and music our app does not have.
You want to pray with Scripture through the day
Lectio 365. Free morning, midday and night prayer, to read or listen to.
You want to listen to your devotional
Desiring God ft. Solid Joys. Every reading is narrated by John Piper, free and offline, while our app has no audio.
How we chose
We started from the apps that rank for daily devotional app searches today and the roundups that list them, then checked each one on the App Store, Google Play and its developer's site on September 29, 2026.
We compared how long a day takes and how much Scripture you read, using what each developer states, plus price and what is free. Where a developer does not state a length or amount, the table says so.
We make Bible Studies for Women and placed it first for a specific reason: it is built to have you read a passage and then explain it in plain words, at a length you choose. For a free daily devotion, Our Daily Bread, YouVersion and First 5 are better choices.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best daily devotional app?
For a devotional that explains the passage, Bible Studies for Women. For a free short devotion, Our Daily Bread. For free plans on any topic, YouVersion.
What is the best free daily devotional app?
Our Daily Bread and YouVersion are free in full, and so are First 5, Lectio 365 and Desiring God ft. Solid Joys. First15 is free with ads on Android.
What is a good free daily devotional app for iPhone?
Our Daily Bread, YouVersion, First 5 and Solid Joys are all free on iPhone with no in-app purchases. Lectio 365 is free too, though its iPhone app does not run on iPad.
How long should a daily devotional take?
Five to fifteen minutes is enough for a steady habit. First 5 is about 5 minutes, Glorify about 10 and First15 about 15, and Bible Studies for Women lets you choose about 5, 10 or 20.
How do I start a daily devotional?
Pick one time each day, choose an app whose length fits that time, and turn on its reminder. Start short, and add more Scripture once the habit holds.
What is the difference between devotions and devotionals?
Devotions usually means your personal time with God in prayer and the Bible. A devotional is the written reading, book or app you use during that time.
