Bible Society
Bible Society is a UK-registered charity (est. 1804) that publishes and distributes Bibles in 80+ languages, including the first UK dyslexia-friendly full Bible, serving churches, schools, families, and international mission organizations via e-commerce and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1804
- HeadquartersSwindon, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Bible Society does
Bible Society, formally the British and Foreign Bible Society, is a UK-registered charity (number 232759) founded in 1804 and headquartered at Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon. The organization publishes and distributes Bibles and Christian resources, with a current portfolio spanning English translations (Good News Bible, ESV, CEV, NRSV, RSV, KJV), Welsh translations (beibl.net contemporary, BCN, William Morgan), and over 30 additional languages. It operates as part of the United Bible Societies global network and holds Royal Patronage from His Majesty King Charles III.
The company’s core technology is an e-commerce platform (biblesociety.org.uk) backed by an Online Bible Reader offering multiple translations in English, Welsh, Cornish, and Manx, complemented by iOS and Android mobile apps. A key proprietary capability is the dyslexia-friendly publishing format developed in partnership with the British Dyslexia Association, which in March 2024 made Bible Society the first UK publisher to publish the whole Bible in this accessible layout; a complete 26-volume boxset followed in January 2025. Other productized programs include Open the Book (school storytelling) and The Bible Course.
Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: one-time product sales (full Bibles, New Testaments, children’s books, Christmas booklets, and study materials priced £3–£199.99), recurring donations and monthly giving, and subsidized mission pricing for churches and outreach organizations. Go-to-market is primarily direct-to-consumer via e-commerce, supplemented by bulk church/school supply, an event- and volunteer-driven community engagement layer, and international shipping to the EU and worldwide. Customer segments include churches, schools, families, Welsh speakers, and international mission organizations.
Bible Society firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bible Society
- Legal name
- British and Foreign Bible Society
- Website
- https://biblesociety.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1804
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Bible Society is a UK-registered charity (est. 1804) that publishes and distributes Bibles in 80+ languages, including the first UK dyslexia-friendly full Bible, serving churches, schools, families, and international mission organizations via e-commerce and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bible Society industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious Publishing
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (8131)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras) (MPAJAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB), Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Sermon, Homiletics & Ministry Resource Publishing (Preaching Aids, Pastoral Resources) (MPAJAHAD), Religious & Spiritual Books Retail (CRALAAAE)
Keywords
Where Bible Society is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Swindon
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Bible Society business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Sale of Bibles, Christian books, educational resources, and religious materials through the online shop. Products include full Bibles, New Testaments, individual books of the Bible, children's books, Christmas resources, and study materials in multiple languages and formats.
- Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations supporting Bible Society's mission to make the Bible accessible worldwide. Includes monthly giving programs and one-time donation options.
- Subsidized Mission Products: Some products are sold at subsidized prices for mission purposes, with the organization covering basic costs including postage and packaging to support church and community outreach initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Bible editions ranging from economy to premium |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dyslexia-Friendly Bible editions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Children's Christmas resources and bulk items |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Welsh language Bible editions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium and award-winning editions |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Bible Society product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bible Society is a registered UK charity that translates, publishes and distributes Bibles and Christian educational resources in more than 80 languages, selling them through an online shop and through bulk supply to churches, schools and mission organisations. Its portfolio spans flagship English translations (Good News Bible, ESV, CEV, NRSV), contemporary Welsh editions (beibl.net and BCN), dozens of foreign-language Bibles, and the UK market's first dyslexia-friendly full Bible format, supplemented by digital reading tools and an outreach programme.
Product overview
Bible Society operates as a Bible publisher and religious materials distributor offering a diverse portfolio of products centered around Bible translations and Scripture accessibility. The core offering comprises multiple Bible translations in English (Good News Bible/GNB, ESV, NIV, NRSV, RSV, NLT, CEV, NKJV), Welsh (beibl.net, BCN), and numerous foreign languages. The company has pioneered dyslexia-friendly Bible publishing, becoming the first UK publisher to offer the whole Bible in dyslexia-friendly format in March 2024, with a complete boxset released in January 2025. Product portfolio includes: (1) Full-text Bibles in various translations and editions (youth, family, children's, large print, etc.); (2) Dyslexia-friendly Bible editions following British Dyslexia Association guidelines; (3) Foreign language Bibles in 30+ languages; (4) Welsh language materials including beibl.net and BCN translations; (5) Children's and family resources including coloring books, Christmas materials, and prayers; (6) Digital products including Online Bible reader and mobile apps; (7) Educational resources such as The Bible Course and walking guides. Distribution is handled through SKU Logistics Ltd for UK orders and Codestorm for certain items, with international shipping to EU and other countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Online Bible: Online Bible reading platform offering multiple translations including GNB, KJV, ESV, RSV, NRSV in English and Welsh languages.
- Scripture for Everyone
- beibl.net
- The Bible Course
- Open the Book
Quantifiable outcome
- 5 million copies sold in 80+ languages for The Children's Bible alone
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Bible Society
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Bible Society technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Bible Society partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- United Bible SocietiescoreBible Society works as part of the United Bible Societies global network, coordinating Bible translation, production, and distribution efforts worldwide. This partnership enables access to Bible translations in 80+ languages and supports international mission work.
- British Dyslexia AssociationcorePartnership for developing dyslexia-friendly Bible editions. Bible Society's accessibility format follows British Dyslexia Association guidelines for font size, spacing, paper color, and layout to ensure readability for dyslexic readers.
- Youth for ChristcorePartnership to create beibl.net Welsh Youth Bible - a contemporary Welsh-language Bible translation designed specifically for young people in collaboration with Youth for Christ.
- RE:QUESTcorePartnership with RE:QUEST to develop the Good News Bible Children's Rainbow Edition, using feedback and ideas from parents, teachers, and children to create an engaging Bible for young readers.
- SKU Logistics LtdminorThird-party logistics provider handling dispatch and delivery of Bibles and resources within the UK, working with multiple delivery partners including Royal Mail, Yodel, and DPD.
- Catholic Church (The God Who Speaks)minorPartnership with Catholic Church in England and Wales for The God Who Speaks initiative, producing NRSV Gospel booklets (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) for Catholic congregations.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Bible Society competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Thomas Nelson Bibles: Established Bible publisher (NKJV, KJV, MEV) and HarperCollins sibling imprint; comparable in Bible translation and specialty editions (e.g., children's, study) to Bible Society's GNB and ESV product lines.
- Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian): Major commercial Bible and Christian book publisher (NIV, study Bibles) competing with Bible Society in the broader Christian publishing market with a larger catalog and global distribution.
- Tyndale House Publishers: Established Christian publisher producing the NIV, NLT, and other major Bible translations; overlaps with Bible Society on Bible publishing but operates commercially across a much broader Christian catalog.
Direct peers
- YouVersion (Life.Church): Free digital Bible app with thousands of translations and reading plans, the dominant global mobile Bible platform; competes directly with Bible Society's own iOS/Android apps and Online Bible reader for digital reader engagement.
- American Bible Society: US-based nonprofit Bible society founded in 1816 with parallel mission of Bible translation and distribution; closest direct peer to British and Foreign Bible Society in mission, product mix, and global UBS affiliation.
- SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge): UK-based Christian publisher and charity with a 300+ year history publishing Bibles, theology, and ministry resources; comparable to Bible Society as a UK-rooted religious publisher with overlapping product categories.
- Lifeway Christian Resources: US nonprofit affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention selling Bibles, studies, and church resources through retail and online channels; comparable mission and direct-to-church distribution model.
- Bible Gateway: Online Bible reading platform offering hundreds of translations and languages for free; directly comparable to Bible Society's Online Bible reader (GNB, KJV, ESV, Welsh, etc.) as a digital Scripture access competitor.
- Gideons International: Nonprofit organization that distributes free Bibles worldwide, particularly in hotels, schools, and healthcare settings; comparable to Bible Society in mission-driven distribution model and emphasis on accessibility.
Regional players
- Scottish Bible Society: Independent national Bible society serving Scotland with overlapping UBS affiliation and Bible distribution mission; comparable as a regional Bible Society peer in the broader United Bible Societies network.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bible Society social profiles
Digital presenceBible Society compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Bible Society financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bible Society leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Bible Society subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Bible Society funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bible Society M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bible Society
What does Bible Society do?
Bible Society is a registered UK charity that translates, publishes and distributes Bibles and Christian educational resources in more than 80 languages, selling them through an online shop and through bulk supply to churches, schools and mission organisations. Its portfolio spans flagship English translations (Good News Bible, ESV, CEV, NRSV), contemporary Welsh editions (beibl.net and BCN), dozens of foreign-language Bibles, and the UK market's first dyslexia-friendly full Bible format, supplemented by digital reading tools and an outreach programme.
Is Bible Society a public or private company?
Bible Society is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Bible Society founded?
Bible Society was founded in 1804. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Bible Society based?
Bible Society is headquartered in Swindon, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Bible Society make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising and subsidized Mission Products.
Who are Bible Society's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Thomas Nelson Bibles, Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian) and Tyndale House Publishers. Direct peers are YouVersion (Life.Church), American Bible Society, SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge), Lifeway Christian Resources, Bible Gateway and Gideons International. Scottish Bible Society is listed as a regional player.
Does Bible Society have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bible Society.
What industry is Bible Society in?
Bible Society's product category is Religious Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAHAA, Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras), with a secondary code of MPAJAHAB, Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides). Its NAICS code is 8131 and its SIC code is 2731.