note
Take notes like Google Docs
Rich text formatting is, of course, there from creating headings to adding bullets, dividers, and links.
Make a study Bible one note scripture highlight folder thread at a time
Available on Web. Mac, iPad, and iPhone apps coming later.
Harvous is a notes app made for Bible study
Everything you need to study Scripture, write what you learn, and find it again later.
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- scripture
Just type the reference
Instead of a Bible reader just type the Scripture reference you want and open it. Available in 11 English translations.
- highlight
Highlight text and annotate
Select text to highlight and add an annotation. You can even do this within the Scripture you add.
- folder thread
Auto or manually organized
Notes, by default, automatically organize into folders with tags. Manually connect notes together to create threads.
What's included
It all comes together.
Auto folders + tags organize as you write, Scripture pills link every reference across eleven translations, and Highlights save what matters most — together, every note becomes your own study Bible.
Sorts itself
Auto-folders and auto-tags organize every note. Add your own anytime.
Threads
Manually connect notes together to create a thread, even across folders.
Search
Search across notes, highlights, and scripture — find anything in seconds.
Scripture pills
Type a reference and it becomes a pill — eleven translations, switchable per pill.
Easton's Dictionary built in
Select a name or term in your note for its Easton's entry and cross-references.
Highlight & annotations
Color-code phrases, leave annotations, and find them in the highlights view.
Daily Passage
A curated passage waits each day — one tap to read it, one tap to make it a note.
Recall
A fading note, a highlight, a passage — Recall resurfaces what's worth revisiting.
Offline & sync
Plane, pew, or basement — works offline and syncs the moment you reconnect.
Sharing
Share a note with a link. No account needed on the other end.
Make it yours
Light or dark, a color or photo background — Harvous looks the way you want.
Pin what matters
Pin a note, folder, or thread to keep it right at the top of the list.
Coming soon
These features are on the roadmap, worth a look before you sign up.
Group spaces
Shared spaces let everyone in your group contribute, so study keeps going between meetings.
Mac, iPad & iPhone
Native apps for Apple platforms. Harvous is on the web today.
Recall & review
An optional paid tier will add spaced review for your notes, highlights, and passages.
Use cases
Harvous is for people who actually study.
Not a Bible reader. Not a devotional. A place for your notes, your questions, and everything you want to hold onto.
“Harvous is simple and efficient compared to other apps I’ve tried.”
“This is one of the most beautiful pieces of software I’ve used recently.”
“Looking forward to continuing to use it to help in my study.”
Compare
How Harvous compares
Not a Bible reader. Not sermon transcription. See how Harvous stacks up against the apps you might already use for reading, notes, or devotionals.
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Harvous vs Apple Notes. Apple Notes is great at quick capture; Harvous helps you remember and connect what you saved from Scripture. -
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Harvous vs Notion. Notion is great at general note‑taking and project docs; Harvous helps you remember and connect what you saved from Scripture. -
Harvous vs YouVersion Bible. YouVersion is great at Bible reading plans and community; Harvous helps you remember and connect what you’ve saved from Scripture. -
Harvous vs Logos. Logos is great at advanced research and scholarly tools; Harvous helps you remember and connect what you’ve saved from Scripture without the complexity. -
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Harvous vs Bible Note. Bible Note is great at AI sermon transcription and flashcards; Harvous helps you remember and connect what you’ve saved from Scripture. -
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Harvous vs Obsidian. Obsidian is great at networked knowledge; Harvous helps you remember and connect what you’ve saved from Scripture without heavy setup. -
Harvous vs Olive Tree. Olive Tree is great at all‑in‑one Bible reading and resources; Harvous helps you remember and connect what you’ve saved from Scripture. -
Harvous vs Evernote. Evernote is great at organizing everything you capture; Harvous helps you remember and connect what you’ve saved from Scripture.
From the founder
Why I made this.
Hey there,
Since 2016 (when I got saved) I've been studying the Bible. Many highlights saved in my Bible app of choice. Some notes in said Bible app. Some in Apple Notes. And some somewhere on a piece of paper I don't have anymore. It was all scattered.
I've tried many Bible study apps. None helped me remember and feed my curiosity.
So I made one. Harvous knows scripture, looks up words I'm curious about, and stays out of the way when I want to write.
It's named after Proverbs 25:2 — "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." Studying the Bible is searching. Harvous is the place where the search settles into something you can come back to.
Right now it's available on web with Mac, iPad, and iPhone apps coming later. You can add scripture in 11 English translations, see automatic built-in dictionary suggestions, and highlight what stands out to you.
If you have any questions, write me at derek@harvous.com.
Derek Castelli
Founder of Harvous
FAQ
Potentially Asked Questions
What exactly is Harvous?
Harvous is a space to save, organize, and find your Bible study notes. Think of it as a home for all those notes from reading the Bible, listening to sermons, and attending study groups—organized automatically so you can actually make sense then, now, and later.
Is Harvous a Bible app?
Harvous is a notes app designed to complement your Bible reading experience. Use it alongside your favorite Bible reader app or physical Bible. When you type a scripture reference, that scripture text is automatically generated as a note for you. We currently support BSB, ESV, KJV, NKJV, NIV, NLT, NET, NASB 1995, CSB, AMP, and MSG.
What devices is Harvous compatible with?
Harvous works on any device with a modern web browser. For a better mobile experience on your tablet or phone you can “Add to Home Screen” and it becomes more like an app.
How much does it cost?
Harvous is free for personal Bible study — unlimited notes, scripture pills, highlights, threads, and the rest of the core app. See pricing for what’s included today and optional paid add-ons: Review, Shared Spaces, and Challenges.
What's a thread?
A thread is a collection of related notes. Instead of organizing by date or book, threads let you group thoughts by topic or theme or however you want. This is your breadcrumb of study.
Who can see my notes?
Just you, unless you want to share it with others. If you decide to share there will be a unique sharable link that is created.
Do I need to be a Christian to use Harvous?
Nah. Harvous works for anyone exploring the Bible — whether you’re curious, new to faith, or been studying for years. Your questions and thoughts are welcome, wherever you are.
Can I use Harvous for church or small groups?
At this time there are no group features but paid group features will be coming later.
Does Harvous use AI?
This is a hot topic. We have strong stances on where and how AI should be used in Bible study. Right now there are no AI features for the core note taking experience. However, we do have exciting plans for paid features in the future. Think Duolingo for Bible study ;)
Can I export my notes?
Absolutely! Just go to Settings > My Data and you’ll see export options.
Does Harvous work offline?
Yes.
Who is Derek Castelli?
Hey, I’m Derek! I’m a Christian, husband, and dad to 2 dogs and 2 cats. By day I make websites full-time. In my freetime I work on Harvous (which I made primarily for me) and God-willing I will work on this full-time one day to then work on it for many years to come.
My journey with God started in 2016. It took a friend of mine asking me if I go to church and then a pastor and the church to open my eyes, ears, and heart. After 3 visits I got saved and since then my life has been one wild ride. 5 years later I’d get a calling from God centered around Proverbs 25:2 to build a tool with my creativity that only I knew how to make.
How do I contact support?
Email derek@harvous.com any time.
If you already use Harvous, open Settings → Support in the web app (app.harvous.com/settings/support) or the iOS app under Settings. You can send a bug report, idea, or question — your message includes app version and device context so we can help faster.
For service status, see status.harvous.com.
One last thing
Harvous only helps if you actually use it — so consider this your nudge.
I'm not trying to build the biggest Bible app out there. Just one I'd actually want to open every morning, that remembers what I've studied so I'm not starting from scratch each time.
If it helps even one of your study sessions stick a little longer, it'll have done its job.
Try it free, and if you ever want to talk shop or scripture, email me at derek@harvous.com.