Report updated Apr 6, 2026

What Is New King James Version (NKJV)?

The New King James Version (NKJV) app by Ravindhiran Sumithra is a high-rated (4.76) iOS utility that provides free access to the NKJV translation. It distinguishes itself from standard Bible readers by incorporating lifestyle features such as a Christian Festive Calendar and religious wallpapers. The app targets devout users who value the NKJV's balance of tradition and readability, positioning itself as a simple, free alternative to more complex study platforms.

What does it look like?

What are the key features?

Christian Festive CalendarDifferentiator

A specialized calendar tracking Christian festivals and events with the ability to add personal notes.

Customizable WallpapersDifferentiator

Collection of Lord Jesus images and Christian-themed backgrounds for mobile screens.

Daily Verse NotificationsStandard

Scheduled push notifications for daily scripture reading.

Advanced SearchStandard

Search functionality across the entire Bible, Old Testament, or New Testament with keyword highlighting.

Social SharingStandard

Share verses as plain text or graphical content directly to platforms like WhatsApp.

Study ToolsBasic

Includes bookmarking, highlighting, and note-taking capabilities.

What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.

Gathering public signals...

Sentiment analysis will be available once enough user reviews are collected.

What are the pros and cons?

Pros

  • High aggregate rating (4.76) and strong user trust
  • Unique lifestyle differentiators (Calendar/Wallpapers)
  • Completely free with no in-app purchase friction
  • Clean, focused UI for a specific translation

Cons

  • Basic study tools compared to academic competitors
  • Lack of social/community engagement features
  • Minimal social media presence for brand growth
  • Solitary user experience

What is the market outlook?

Growth Opportunities

  • Integration of AI for interactive scripture study
  • Expansion into audio-first devotional content
  • Development of shared reading plans or community features
  • Cross-platform synchronization (Android/Web)

Market Threats

  • Market dominance of Life.Church (Bible App)
  • Emergence of AI-native competitors like Bible Chat
  • Low barrier for competitors to copy lifestyle features
  • Platform dependency on iOS

Who competes with New King James Version (NKJV)?

Contenders

Bible Gateway

Bible Gateway

HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

A massive multi-version platform that serves as a primary alternative for users looking for free NKJV access.

+

A massive multi-version platform that serves as a primary alternative for users looking for free NKJV access.

Logos: Deep Bible Study

Logos: Deep Bible Study

Faithlife Corporation

The industry standard for academic Bible study, offering a more powerful but complex alternative to simple NKJV readers.

+

The industry standard for academic Bible study, offering a more powerful but complex alternative to simple NKJV readers.

Glorify: Devotional & Prayer

Glorify: Devotional & Prayer

Tupoe LTD

Competes for the 'daily devotion' user segment with a modern, high-design approach to scripture and prayer.

+

Competes for the 'daily devotion' user segment with a modern, high-design approach to scripture and prayer.

Peers

Bible Hub

Bible Hub

John Isett

A reference-heavy ecosystem tool used for parallel reading and Greek/Hebrew analysis.

+

A reference-heavy ecosystem tool used for parallel reading and Greek/Hebrew analysis.

The Bible Memory App

The Bible Memory App

Millennial Apps, LLC

Focuses on the specific use case of scripture memorization using the NKJV and other translations.

+

Focuses on the specific use case of scripture memorization using the NKJV and other translations.

New Kids on the Block

Haven - Bible Chat

Haven - Bible Chat

E12 Holdings

A rising threat using AI to allow users to 'chat' with the Bible, representing a shift in how users interact with scripture.

+

A rising threat using AI to allow users to 'chat' with the Bible, representing a shift in how users interact with scripture.

Amen Break Generator (Revived)

Amen Break Generator (Revived)

Aleksandra Wienclawska

Fast-growing meditation and scripture app that is capturing the daily devotion market with high-quality audio.

+

Fast-growing meditation and scripture app that is capturing the daily devotion market with high-quality audio.

What are the key takeaways?

  • 1. **Exploit the Lifestyle Niche**: The calendar and wallpaper features are the app's unique hooks. PMs should consider expanding these "faith-lifestyle" features (e.g., prayer journals or liturgical trackers) to further differentiate from pure readers.
  • 2. **Address the AI Shift**: With the rise of "Bible Chat," the traditional search-and-read model is being challenged. Investigating lightweight AI integration for verse explanation could future-proof the app.
  • 3. **Community Building**: To move from a utility to a platform, the app needs basic social hooks—even simple features like "see what others are reading today" could improve retention.

New King James Version (NKJV) is a divisive book app that is completely free. With a 4.8/5 rating from 7K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users.

Best for: Christians seeking a convenient, digital way to read the NKJV Bible, track religious events, and integrate faith into their daily mobile experience.

How much does it cost?

Model: free

Tiers:
Completely free access to all Bible content and features

The app appears to be a free utility under the 'Oly Bible' brand, likely serving as a lead-generation or community-building tool for the developer's broader ecosystem.

iOS Version

5.1

Release Date

Jun 19, 2020

iOS Price

Free

Independent intel to help builders create better apps.

No publisher influence. No third-party bias. Built with objectivity in mind to serve the builder community. Reports are continuously improved and refined. For informational purposes only.

Hope this helps & keep building! · Found an error?

Cite this report

Marlvel.ai. “New King James Version (NKJV) Intelligence Report.” Updated Apr 6, 2026. https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/books/new-king-james-version-nkjv

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