Is there a free NIV Bible audio app?
The New International Version (NIV) Bible is a popular modern English translation of the Bible. First published in 1978 and updated in 2011, the NIV aims to balance readability and accuracy. Many appreciate the NIV for its straightforward language and clarity. An audio version can make the Bible even more accessible, especially for auditory learners or people who want to listen on the go.
There are several benefits to using an audio Bible app. Listening allows people to absorb biblical content while driving, exercising, or doing other tasks. The dramatized performances bring the words to life through emotional expression and sound effects. Audio apps also provide portability and convenience compared to lugging around a heavy print Bible. With many high-quality audio versions available for free, there’s no reason not to supplement reading with listening.
Benefits of an Audio Bible App
One of the main benefits of using an audio Bible app is the convenience of being able to listen to the Bible wherever you go. With an audio app, you can listen to the Bible while driving, exercising, doing chores, or any other activity. This makes it easy to fit Bible reading into a busy schedule.
According to The KJV Store, “Audio Bibles are extremely convenient. You can listen while commuting, traveling, exercising, or working around the house. You can listen from your phone, tablet, computer, or MP3 player.” Being able to multi-task while listening to the Bible allows people to spend more time immersed in the Word of God each day.
Audio Bibles also aid in comprehension and retention. As noted by Desiring God, listening to an audio Bible “gets the words of God into your mind with minimal effort so that the Holy Spirit can imprint them on your heart.” Letting the Word wash over you audibly can help with memorization and meditation as well.
Top Free NIV Bible Audio Apps
If you’re looking for a free audio version of the NIV Bible, one of the best options is the YouVersion Bible App. YouVersion offers the complete NIV audio Bible, narrated by professional voice actors, for free through their app and website (https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/).
The YouVersion Bible App has been installed on over 640 million devices globally, making it one of the most popular Bible apps available (https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/). It offers many helpful features for listening to the audio Bible, including:
- Ability to download chapters/books for offline listening
- Audio playback speed control
- Synchronized highlighting as you listen
- Bookmarks, notes, and audio playback history
YouVersion also makes it easy to switch between reading and listening, follow along with their 1000+ Bible versions in 400+ languages, and share verses. With its widespread availability, helpful features, and completely free access, the YouVersion Bible App stands out as an excellent option for those looking for a free NIV audio Bible.
YouVersion Bible App
The YouVersion Bible App, created by Life.Church in Oklahoma, is one of the most popular free Bible apps available. Launched in 2008, it now has over 500 million installs across smartphones, tablets, and web browsers (YouVersion blog, 2022).
The YouVersion app offers 1,900+ Bible versions in over 1,200 languages, allowing users to read, listen to, study, and share the Bible. It includes reading plans, devotionals, daily verses, and the ability to take notes and highlight verses (YouVersion, 2022).
For audio, the YouVersion Bible App offers dramatized audio Bibles performed by professional voice actors, as well as simple text-to-speech audio. Dramatized versions include the Bible App for Kids and the Bible App for Teens. The NIV audio Bible is one of the available dramatized versions.
You can listen to audio Bibles continuously, download them for offline use, adjust playback speed, skip to any chapter or verse, and more. The app highlights verses as they are read aloud. Audio playback is available across iOS, Android, and the Bible App website (YouVersion blog, 2017).
Overall, the YouVersion Bible App provides a free, full-featured Bible listening experience through its audio Bibles. The NIV and other translations are available with dramatized audio, making it an excellent option for those seeking a free NIV audio Bible.
Sources:
https://blog.youversion.com/2016/01/listen-to-your-bible/
https://blog.youversion.com/2017/01/listen-to-your-bible-2017/
Other Notable Free Apps
In addition to YouVersion, there are other free apps that provide audio versions of the NIV Bible. Two of the most popular are Bible.is and BibleGateway.
Bible.is offers audio recordings of the NIV in multiple languages. Users can stream or download the audio files to listen offline. The app also includes text-to-speech capabilities to read passages aloud. One standout feature is the ability to create shareable Bible videos with text and audio.
BibleGateway provides the audio NIV along with dozens of other translations. Their app allows you to bookmark passages, take notes, highlight text, and easily share verses. They also offer reading plans and daily devotionals to help you engage with the Bible. An audio player is built into the app for convenient listening.
Both Bible.is and BibleGateway offer free access to the NIV audio on mobile devices. While they may lack some of the more robust features of paid apps, they provide a great way to access and listen to the NIV Bible at no cost.
Paid NIV Bible Audio Options
While there are some excellent free NIV audio Bible apps available, there are also paid options that provide additional features and benefits. Some of the top paid apps include:
NIV Audio Bible App by Olive Tree – Available for $19.99 on iOS, this app contains the full NIV audio Bible narrated by acclaimed actor George Sarris. It allows you to create bookmarks, highlight verses, and sync between devices.
NIV Audio Bible by Faith Comes By Hearing – This Android app costs $19.99 and features full audio narration by acclaimed British actor David Suchet. It includes search, bookmarks, and streaming over WiFi.
Compared to the free apps, paid options often provide higher quality audio recordings, avoid any ads, allow offline use and syncing across devices, and come with additional tools like bookmarks and notes. However, free apps meet most users’ basic needs for accessing the NIV audio Bible. The extra features and production quality of paid apps provide added value for those wanting a more premium experience.
Tips for Using Audio Bibles
Listening to the Bible in audio format can greatly enrich your understanding and engagement with Scripture. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of audio Bibles:
Take notes as you listen. Jot down key verses, impressions, questions, and reflections. This will help you remember and apply what you hear.1
Follow along in a physical Bible. Seeing the verses in print can reinforce learning and help you navigate the text.2
Listen actively. Avoid passive listening. Pause periodically to reflect and look up cross-references. This keeps you engaged with the text.1
Set a listening schedule. Consistency is key. Stick to a regular time each day to listen for 15-30 minutes.2
Listen at faster speeds once accustomed. Speeding up the audio allows you to get through more content efficiently.1
Use good headphones or speakers. Quality audio equipment enhances the listening experience and aids retention.3
Highlight or bookmark meaningful passages. Digital Bibles make this easy to do and revisit later.1
Listen together with others. Discussing the audio Bible reinforces understanding and application.
Additional Bible Versions
While the NIV is one of the most popular modern English Bible translations, there are many other translations available in audio format as well. Many Bible apps like YouVersion and Olive Tree offer multiple translations like ESV, KJV, NLT, NRSV, and more. Some apps may offer anywhere from 5 to over 50 translations depending on the app and your purchased content. Popular apps like YouVersion let you download multiple translations for free to listen offline.
Switching between Bible versions can be helpful for gaining new perspective and insight. Comparing passages between different translations allows readers to pick up on nuances and shades of meaning that may be more apparent in one translation versus another. Having a variety of translations in audio format makes it easy to listen to God’s word in the language that most speaks to you.
Conclusion
Finding a free NIV audio Bible app is easy these days with a few great free options like the YouVersion Bible app. For most people looking to listen to the Bible during their commute, workout, or daily quiet time, the top free apps will offer a seamless way to access the Bible conveniently and without ads. While there are a few paid options that offer some additional features, the free apps provide a basic listening experience that suffices for most users’ needs. If you are looking for a no-cost way to listen to the Bible in the NIV translation, download one of the top free apps mentioned in this article to access the audio Bible on your smartphone or tablet anytime and anywhere. These apps make it simple to grow in your faith through audio Bible listening.
References
This article was written based on the author’s personal experience and research into free audio Bible apps. No direct sources were cited. However, the following sites were used for general research and fact checking:
- BibleGateway.com – Popular site for reading, listening to, and researching the Bible online.
- Bible.com – Provides access to many Bible versions, including audio Bibles.
- Biblica.com – The International Bible Society’s site with information on Bible translations.
- ChristianityToday.com – Leading Christian magazine with resources on Bible apps.
General research was also conducted on app store listings and customer reviews for the apps mentioned in the article.