Looking for an
e-Sword alternative?
Seed Scroll brings Bible reading, original-language tools, study notes, reading plans, and community into one connected experience on desktop, mobile, and the web.
Free core Bible reader. Premium study features and licensed Bible editions are paid.
Start with the tools you already use.
If you use e-Sword for Strong's numbers, verse references, and notes, those are a useful place to start with Seed Scroll. Read a passage, explore a Hebrew or Greek word with the free Brown–Driver–Briggs Hebrew Lexicon and Thayer's Greek Lexicon, and keep your observations linked to the verses that prompted them.
e-Sword is an established Bible study tool with a substantial resource library. Seed Scroll is worth considering if you want browser access, Linux desktop downloads, linked notes, and optional AI-assisted study in the same app.
Seed Scroll and e-Sword, side by side.
This comparison is published by Seed Scroll. e-Sword details come from its official website; features and prices can differ between its platform editions.
Swipe the table to compare both apps.
| What you need | Seed Scroll | e-Sword |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Browser, iOS, Android, Mac (Apple silicon), Windows x64, and Linux x64. | Windows, Mac, Android, iPad, and iPhone editions. |
| Strong's lookup | Search by number, lemma, transliteration, or definition; open matching verses. | Strong's-number searches and tooltips with linked dictionaries. |
| Bible library | KJV+, WEB, RV1909+, and BSB included. Selected licensed editions are separate purchases. | KJV and KJV with Strong's included in the Windows starter library; additional downloadable resources. |
| Offline reading | Downloaded Bible translations are available offline. AI features need an internet connection. | Installed Bible resources support local study. |
| Study notes | Free manual notes with verse links and tags. Premium adds AI-generated studies, publishing, and a community feed. | Integrated editors for notes, studies, sermons, and journals. |
| Commentaries & dictionaries | Brown–Driver–Briggs Hebrew Lexicon and Thayer's Greek Lexicon are built in and free. Does not import your e-Sword resource library. | Downloadable commentary, dictionary, and reference libraries. |
| Across your devices | Sign in to the same account to sync bookmarks, collections, and quick verse reflections. Premium adds study-note cloud sync. Syncing needs internet access. | The iPhone edition documents user-file transfer through cloud backup and import; check the options for your edition. |
| Additional study tools | Interlinear study, cross-references, an ancient Israel Atlas, and Premium AI search, study generation, and reading plans. | Parallel Bible views, translation comparison, cross-references, and resource searches. |
| Cost | Free core reader, Brown–Driver–Briggs and Thayer's lexicons, audio Bible, cross-reference navigation, and basic Atlas. Premium unlocks additional study tools and study-note cloud sync; licensed editions cost extra. | Windows app is free. Other editions and paid resources have their own pricing. |
Sources: e-Sword's official features and platforms, Windows starter library, and iPhone user-file transfer instructions. Reviewed .
From a verse to a word study to a note.
Read a passage.
Open John 1 in KJV+ to start with a translation linked to Strong's numbers.
Follow a word.
Look up G3056, logos, in Strong's Search and read its Thayer's Greek Lexicon entry where available. For Hebrew words, explore Brown–Driver–Briggs entries. Compare the verses where a word appears before drawing a conclusion about its meaning.
Keep your observations.
Write a private study note for free and include the verse references you explored. Premium adds study-note cloud sync and publishing.
Once you are comfortable with the reader, Premium adds AI Bible search, study generation, and generated reading plans. Use AI suggestions as a starting point, then check them against Scripture and trusted study resources.
Turn what you learn into a study.
With Premium, turn pasted text, a YouTube link, recorded or imported audio, or a photo of your notes into an AI-generated study with linked Scripture references. Review and edit the result, follow its verse links back to the reader, and keep building your own observations.
You can also generate a multi-week reading plan around a topic you want to explore. AI-assisted generation requires an internet connection; check the result against the passages and your trusted study resources.
Study with a community.
With Premium and a signed-in account, publish study notes, follow other Bible students, like their notes, and discover what they are studying in the community feed. Verse references and topic hashtags help you explore the Scripture behind an insight.
Sharing is your choice. Keep personal notes private, or choose to publish a study when you want others to read it. You can share reading plans with the community, too.
Which workspace fits you?
Consider Seed Scroll if…
- You want to open your study tools in a browser without installing software.
- You study on Linux as well as mobile or other desktop platforms.
- You want bookmarks and reflections across devices, with study-note cloud sync through Premium.
- You want free Hebrew and Greek lexicons and an interactive Atlas.
- You want to generate studies and reading plans, publish insights, and follow fellow Bible students with Premium.
Keep e-Sword if…
- Your study depends on a particular commentary, dictionary, or module collection.
- You want its integrated sermon editor and familiar resource views.
- Your existing setup already supports the way you study.
You can try Seed Scroll alongside e-Sword before deciding to switch. Start with a passage you know and check whether the translations and tools you need are available.
Questions from e-Sword users.
Is Seed Scroll a free e-Sword alternative?
The core reader, manual study notes, Brown–Driver–Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Thayer's Greek Lexicon, audio Bible, cross-reference navigation, and basic Atlas are free. Premium unlocks additional study features, including letter study, Semantic Insight, AI search, study-note cloud sync, community notes, and guided plans. Licensed Bible editions are separate one-time purchases. Check the subscription offer in the app for current pricing.
Can I sync my notes and bookmarks across devices?
Yes. Sign in to the same Seed Scroll account on each device. Your bookmarks, bookmark collections, and quick verse reflections sync across devices. Premium adds cloud sync for study notes. Syncing requires an internet connection; local-only and guest content is not automatically available on another device.
Can I generate studies and share them with others?
Yes. Premium includes AI-assisted study generation from text, YouTube links, audio, and photos, plus generated reading plans. With a signed-in account and Premium, you can choose to publish study notes, share plans, follow other students, and explore the community feed. Notes can stay private; generating a study does not automatically publish it.
Can I import my e-Sword modules or notes?
Seed Scroll does not currently offer an e-Sword module or note importer. Purchased e-Sword resources do not transfer into Seed Scroll. Keep your existing library and notes in e-Sword while you evaluate Seed Scroll.
Does Seed Scroll replace e-Sword's commentary library?
Seed Scroll includes the free Brown–Driver–Briggs Hebrew Lexicon and Thayer's Greek Lexicon alongside its other word-study tools. These lexicons do not replace an entire commentary library. If your study relies on specific e-Sword commentaries or other dictionaries, continue using those resources in e-Sword.
Can I use it on Windows, Mac, or Linux?
Yes. Use Seed Scroll in a browser or choose a desktop download for Windows x64, Mac with Apple silicon, or Linux x64. On other Mac hardware, use the browser version. iOS and Android apps are also available.
Does Seed Scroll work offline?
Downloaded Bible translations are stored on your device for offline reading. Download the editions you want before going offline. AI-powered features require an internet connection.
Bring a passage. Explore the tools.
Try the free reader first and see how Seed Scroll fits your study.