Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Lantern — collaborative Bible reading, lobbies, highlights, notes, translations, pricing, and more.
Getting Started
What is Lantern?
Lantern is a free website where you can read the Bible with other people at the same time. Think of it like a video call, but for reading Scripture together. You can highlight verses, take notes, and chat with your group, all in one place.
Do I need to create an account?
You can join any lobby without signing in. But if you want to save your highlights or create your own lobbies, you'll need to sign in. It's quick and free; just use your Google, GitHub, Apple, X, or email account.
What devices work with Lantern?
Lantern works on any device with a web browser, including phones, tablets, laptops, and computers. There's no app to download. Just open your browser and go to the website.
Using Lobbies
What is a Lobby?
A lobby is like a virtual room where people read the Bible together. When you're in a lobby, everyone sees the same chapter at the same time. You can share highlights and chat in real-time. It's perfect for Bible studies, small groups, or reading with friends.
How do I start a group reading session?
Click 'Start a Free Lobby' on the home page. Choose your Bible book and chapter, give your lobby a name, and click Create. You'll get a link and QR code to share with your group. When they click the link, they'll join you instantly.
How do I join someone else's lobby?
Just click the link they shared with you, or scan their QR code. That's it; you'll be in the lobby right away. No sign-up needed to join.
What is Solo Mode?
Solo Mode (also called your Personal Lobby) is your private reading space. It's just you and the Bible, with no group and no distractions. You can still highlight verses, take notes, listen to chapters read aloud, and download the Bible for offline reading. Great for daily devotions or quiet study time.
Can I browse public lobbies?
Yes! Click 'Join Public Lobbies' to see a list of open sessions. You can join any public lobby and read along with people from around the world. It's a great way to find community.
Features
How do I highlight a verse?
Tap or click on any verse, then pick a highlight color. Your highlights save automatically if you're signed in. In group lobbies, other people can see your highlights too, which is a meaningful way to share what stands out to you.
Can I take notes?
Yes. There's a Notes tab in every lobby. Type your thoughts, and they'll be saved to your account. Your notes are private; only you can see them.
Can I chat with my group?
Yes! Every lobby has a chat feature. You can send messages to everyone in the lobby in real-time. It's great for asking questions or sharing thoughts during your study.
What Bible translations are available?
Lantern offers four translations: NET (New English Translation), KJV (King James Version), BSB (Berean Study Bible), and YLT (Young's Literal Translation). You can switch between them anytime using the dropdown menu.
Can I read offline?
Yes. Go to your Profile, then Settings, and look for 'Offline Bible.' You can download any of the four translations to your device. Once downloaded, you can read the Bible even without internet, whether on planes, camping, or anywhere else.
Can I listen to the Bible?
Yes. In the reader, open the audio controls and press play to hear the chapter read aloud with clear, natural-sounding narration. It's great for following along, listening on the go, or resting your eyes. Listening is free for everyone.
Can I search the Bible?
Yes. Click the search icon in the top menu, type a word or phrase, and choose a translation to see matching verses instantly. Tap any result to jump straight to that passage. Search is free, even without signing in.
Are there guided reading plans?
Yes. Open Reading Plans from the menu to follow a structured, day-by-day journey through Scripture. Reading plans are free to use; sign in to save your progress.
Can I share a verse as an image?
Yes. Next to any verse in the reader, tap the share-as-image button to turn that verse into a shareable image. Pick a style and format, then download it or share it directly. It's a lovely way to share Scripture with friends or on social media, and it's free for everyone.
Can I create my own devotional?
Yes. The Devotional Builder is free for everyone. Build a multi-day devotional from any passage, add your own reflections, and share it with your group. (The Devotional Library, a curated collection of ready-made devotionals, is part of the Supporter plan.)
Privacy & Security
Is my information private?
Yes. We only collect what's needed to make Lantern work, namely your email and name. We never sell your information to anyone. Your notes are private, and you control who sees your highlights.
Can other people see my notes?
No. Your notes are completely private. Only you can see them. Highlights are shared in group lobbies, but notes stay just for you.
Is Lantern safe for my kids?
Yes. Lantern is focused on Bible reading, so there's no inappropriate content. In public lobbies, chat is visible to everyone in the group, so we recommend parents join along with younger children.
Pricing & Plans
Is Lantern really free?
Yes. The core experience is free, including creating lobbies, joining lobbies, solo reading, highlights, notes, chat, four Bible translations, and offline downloads, with no account required to join someone else's lobby. Lantern is supported by a small ad banner that appears site-wide, including on the reading view.
What do I get with the Supporter plan?
For $5 per month, you unlock the Devotional Library (a curated collection of multi-day devotionals) and the Lesson Planner (a tool for building structured lessons with agenda sections, scripture focus, and homework). You also get priority when requesting new features and help us keep hosting and development going.
What is the Community plan?
The Community plan ($20/month) is for pastors, small group leaders, and Bible study teachers who lead a group. It includes everything in Supporter, plus Communities and Group management, the ability to assign lessons to your community, and Go Live for leading sessions with pre-set highlights.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. There are no contracts or commitments. You can cancel your subscription anytime, and you'll keep access until the end of your billing period.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards and debit cards through Stripe, a secure payment system used by millions of companies. Your payment info is never stored on our servers.
Troubleshooting
The page won't load. What should I do?
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, close your browser and reopen it. Make sure you have a stable internet connection. If you're still having trouble, try a different browser or clear your browser's cache.
My highlights aren't saving.
Make sure you're signed in, since highlights only save when you're logged into your account. If you're signed in and still having issues, try refreshing the page.
I can't join a lobby.
Check that you have the correct link. The lobby creator can share a new link if needed. Also make sure your internet connection is stable. If the lobby is private, you may need the creator to add you.
How do I contact support?
Email us at support@lntrn.app and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Please include details about what happened and what device you're using, since that helps us solve the problem faster.
Still have questions?
Email us at support@lntrn.app and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.