Comments
If I was choosing today I would base my decision on the resources available for the package because that is the only reason that I ever look at one of the alternatives to Logos. I know that all of the companies promote how feature rich their software is and try to convince us that they have the best tools for study but IMHO I can and do adjust my study method to work with the tools I have but if I have poor quality or inappropriate resources my study will suffer.
God Bless
Graham
Pastor - NTCOG Basingstoke
Tes,
When it comes to software the most important question is "does it meet your needs?"
For my needs Logos is best. For your needs I strongly suspect that Logos is the best for you too. Now, if Logos isn't performing as you need it too then ask your questions here and we'll try to help. If you are curious about non-Logos software packages I suggest you look for Bible software reviews with a Google search; Logos has asked us with their forum guidelines to refrain from promoting their competitors.
Prov. 15:23
Currently, I believe Libronix 3 is the best overall program for bible research, but I have great hopes for Logos 4, but at this time Logos 4 does not come close to meeting my needs.
Libronix 3 has great language resources and the ability of building a massive library that beats all other offerings put together, and at a much better price for upper end resources.
The biggest drawback to Libronix 3 is the learning curve and the second is price, but it is still much cheaper for large libraries with solid resources.
Logos 4 is really addressing the learning curve, but at this point is missing too many valueable functions for me to use it fulltime, I am waiting for the rest of the story!
In Christ,
Jim
I have been a Logos user for just over 16 years. In that time it has developed into an awesome integrated biblical/theological library with far more resources than I shall ever need, let alone afford.
Currently I run Logos for Mac 1.2.2 & L4Mac A16a on my ministry computer and L3 + SESB 3.0 on my academic research computer (too old and slow for L4). At this point in its development L3 has more features which meet my research requirements than L4Mac. For the last couple of weeks (since L4Mac A16) I have not needed to run LMac 1.2.2 for sermon preparation, but have been able to rely on L4Mac.
I have looked at some of alternative packages in the past – once some years ago when a friend switched from L2 to a competitor, but it couldn't handle Greek text as well as Logos; more recently when I was buying my very first Mac – but none of them were attractive enough propositions to warrant the switch away from Logos, and anyway I had invested too much in learning how to use Logos efficiently. I never found L3 all that hard to learn after L2. (Switching from Lotus WordPro to MS Word has been a much more difficult learning curve for me – trying to get Word to do what WordPro could do easily.)
All in all I find myself agreeing whole-heartedly with Jim Van Schoonhaven:
Currently, I believe Libronix 3 is the best overall program for bible research, but I have great hopes for Logos 4, but at this time Logos 4 does not come close to meeting my needs.
Libronix 3 has great language resources and the ability of building a massive library that beats all other offerings put together, and at a much better price for upper end resources.
The biggest drawback to Libronix 3 is the learning curve and the second is price, but it is still much cheaper for large libraries with solid resources.
Logos 4 is really addressing the learning curve, but at this point is missing too many valuable functions for me to use it fulltime, I am waiting for the rest of the story!
Every blessing
Alan
iMac Retina 5K, 27": 3.6GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9; 16GB RAM;MacOS 10.15.5; 1TB SSD; Logos 8
MacBook Air 13.3": 1.8GHz; 4GB RAM; MacOS 10.13.6; 256GB SSD; Logos 8
iPad Pro 32GB WiFi iOS 13.5.1
iPhone 8+ 64GB iOS 13.5.1
I do not believe that wanting to know something implies a right to an answer. God has been asked many things since the creation of man, but at His time and His perfect way, provided an answer, albeit, often that answer has been silence.
You may want to make a better petition and exhibit some thought behind the question as Moses did when petitioning God to not destroy the Jews. Are we not to be as logical and humble?
I think this is an important question...that being the best Bible software. For me Logos is anything but a piece of bible software, rather it strikes me as a Christian Library manager that focuses on faith literature. Its like a smart librarian I think. The best Bible software that I have used is PC-Study Bible on the more advanced levels. The difference between the two I think has to do with both cost (extra library functions equal more cost) and difficult in learning how to use the software (bible software is most often in my experience much easier to use period). To me Logos is like a premium Hummer while Bible software is much more akin to a sports car...each has its place in our lives.
I do not believe that wanting to know something implies a right to an answer. God has been asked many things since the creation of man, but at His time and His perfect way, provided an answer, albeit, often that answer has been silence.
You may want to make a better petition and exhibit some thought behind the question as Moses did when petitioning God to not destroy the Jews. Are we not to be as logical and humble?
Pat, where is this response coming from? Are you just telling Tes, our Ethiopian brother doing God's work in Germany, that he framed his question in a bad way? Are you being serious, or tongue in cheek. It comes across as a kind of slap in the face. I suspect that is not what you meant, but it is hard to tell.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
Everyone has an opinion. For me, Logos is by far the best choice because it has more quality resources than any other Bible Study Program. It is not even close.
I think anyone, no matter what their level of study, will benefit from Logos.
"In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley
I want to know the number one bible study software .
I don't know Tes' intent, but the question made me wonder if there are any independent surveys on the topic. It would be reasonable to expect Logos to have done such a survey as part of their business and marketing plans. I wonder if that information is available anywhere on the web.
On the other hand Bible study is a rather specialized market with a wide variety of needs and skill levels involved so the main issue would be for Tes to determine her need and expectations then ask the question in light of that.
My impression is that Logos is too expensive for most users. That's not my bias, it's just the result of personal observation and informal surveys. Furthermore a number of people I meet, including pastors don't know how, or don't have the time/interest to study the Bible carefully. They prefer to "discuss" it (meaning discuss what someone has already told them it means) and read various popular books. So many of the web tools satisfy their needs. I'm sure people on this forum are aware of what that leads to. It certainly encourages me to see so many people attend Mo's seminars and to find fellow serious-minded Bible students in this forum.
Have a great day,
jmac
I want to know the number one bible study software .
Number one in sales? Popularity? Ease of use? Number of resources? Search capabilities? Bang-for-the-buck? Size of user base?
You can get a dozens of different answers depending on how people read your question. As Rosie says, this is a pretty biased place to ask. Most people will answer "Logos" to most of the above stipulations. And those who don't answer "Logos" could possibly be dismissed by us biased folk as not keeping up with the recent advances in Logos. (We are a biased lot. [:)] ) I own most Bible software programs published in English but fire up very few ever. My hope is that someday I will have a super multi-lingual Logos with the Bible in French, Japanese, Czech, and everything inbetween. For the moment there is a rationale for some specialized Bible software to fill specialized niches ([:#] Did I really just say that? I did qualify it as a temporary situation.)
Logos 7 Collectors Edition
At the current time Logos has about 500,000 users, and had sales last year close to 20 million dollars. I agree Logos seems expensive but it seems the tide has turned and people's expectation of what good bible software should cost has changed somewhat.
My first bible software was the Online Bible 21 years ago. I have changed bible software many times over the years since then and upgraded many packages from DOS to Windows 3.1 and then to Windows 95, always I was looking of something better.Years ago you had to consider buying several different packages to try and put a decent library together, It was costly because you ended up buying some of the same resources several times to get the ones you needed.
Then I discovered Logos in 1995 and it did things I never expected bible software to be able to do at that time.Even though I continued to upgrade some of my other bible software packages for awhile, I have never looked back and have put all my eggs so to speak in one basket. So my vote for "Best" bible software goes to Logos hands down!
At the current time Logos has about 500,000 users...
It's actually closer to a quarter of a million (perhaps even over that by now). The figure "more than 700,000" was cited by Bob Pritchett back in November, and they mentioned 3/4 million at the Camp Logos seminar I went to three weeks ago. Sales to new users who have never had Logos before have been rolling in at quite a hefty rate since Logos 4 shipped.
Have you ever given "Passage Guide" a try under Logos 4? And if your library includes The Exegetical Summaries Series http://www.logos.com/products/details/4293 prioritized in your resources, it will return study results that knocks everything else off the table.
Wow, I hadn't been aware of those resources. How could I have missed them? I regularly look through the catalogue for interesting/useful bundles and series. Thanks for mentioning them! Wish I'd gotten them while they were in pre-pub, though. [:(]
Indeed this is a slow day. If my "bible software" requires me to spend lots of money for a "library" that is accessed by a "free"program, requires special training to start to use it, then requires another paid 2 day seminar to master it than I don't have a bible software program. What I have is a flashy database that can be used as a platform for several types of e-books for cross platform computing. Which maybe replaced someday by a simple e-book reader from several other players in the field like Sony or Kindle. My point, in the great debate over words, is that L4 has bible based functions but is not properly a "bibles software" because it has such a wide range of activities it can do unlike Quickverse or PC-Study Bible..which are cheaper and easier to use. Didn't think this was such a big deal really.
Rene, I do "get" what you are saying it and I see it as another way to view Logos software or a different slant on it. But I did have to ponder your statement last evening for awhile in order to.... [I]Indeed this is a slow day. If my "bible software" requires me to spend lots of money for a "library" that is accessed by a "free"program, requires special training to start to use it, then requires another paid 2 day seminar to master it than I don't have a bible software program. What I have is a flashy database that can be used as a platform for several types of e-books for cross platform computing. Which maybe replaced someday by a simple e-book reader from several other players in the field like Sony or Kindle. My point, in the great debate over words, is that L4 has bible based functions but is not properly a "bibles software" because it has such a wide range of activities it can do unlike Quickverse or PC-Study Bible..which are cheaper and easier to use. Didn't think this was such a big deal really.
You are welcome, Rene. In fact, most of what you write causes me to reflect and stretches my thoughts-a good thing. [:)]
Well are you two going to let us in on your definition for a Bible software program so we can get it too?
Joan, what is it that you get, why would Logos not be a bible software program, but some of the other programs mentioned are?
What does Logos do that they don't try to do too! I admit none of them are as good as Logos, but they are trying to do the same thing.
I must admit this is of special concern to me since I spend time teaching believers how to use bible software programs, in fact all of the ones that have been mentioned that are windows based.
What features does Logos have that are not geared towards helping us study the bible?
In Christ,
Jim
Jim, Michael,
I have to be obscure here because I am not Rene and cannot elaborate on her words; what she said made me think beyond my box. My simple thought was I have free Bible software that I have over 30 Bible versions in it and very few dictionaries, commentaries and other books in contrast to what I have in Logos. Please, gentlemen, I am not trying to inflame ideas or words, but that was my honest thought and I did not conclude it with a value judgment. Hope this helps.
I have to be obscure here because I am not Rene and cannot elaborate on her words; what she said made me think beyond my box. My simple thought was
Makes me wonder how you "get" it if it is so obscure you can't talk about it. It sounds like Bible study in the minimalist approach. You could just jettison the computer altogether and get back to using a pen, notebook and the Bible.
If this is a question addressing the many divergent resources available one has to ask if critics are really this discriminating in the way they live out every aspect of their personal lives. We don't actually NEED computers at all to study the Bible. We don't need forums, social websites, TV, shopping malls, or flower gardens. But God allows us much liberty in enjoying life in this world. Some people drive Cadillacs, some drive Geo Metros. Some read the Bible online (for free) and some spend lots of money to enjoy more productive study sessions.
I'm happy the Bible is available in so many forms to so many people. Just don't criticize Logos for going the second, third & fourth mile beyond the others. I really have to shrink my mind to grasp how it is not a Bible software program while the little companies Rene mentions do meet her definitions. It reminds me of Aesop's fable of the Fox & the Grapes. (The fox saying, "Since I can never have everything in the Logos library, it must not actually be a Bible study software program."
Logos 7 Collectors Edition
To put it another way. Logos can be seen as a e-book multi-platform database that encompasses bible "libraries". It is much more and much less than stand alone bible programs such as Quickverse and PC-Study Bible. It complexities and expense and multiple platform performance comes from the "librarian" nature of its core free program. It could just as easily use other "libraries" such as classic books with a few twinks here and there ( I would argue). It is starting to compete with other products like Kindle (which it may or may not survive) across these platforms...expect an ipad compatible extension of this program I would think. Good, bad, or indifferent in my mind L4 is not a bible program its much more.
To put it another way. Logos can be seen as a e-book multi-platform database that encompasses bible "libraries". It is much more and much less than stand alone bible programs such as Quickverse and PC-Study Bible. It complexities and expense and multiple platform performance comes from the "librarian" nature of its core free program. It could just as easily use other "libraries" such as classic books with a few twinks here and there ( I would argue). It is starting to compete with other products like Kindle (which it may or may not survive) across these platforms...expect an ipad compatible extension of this program I would think. Good, bad, or indifferent in my mind L4 is not a bible program its much more.
I probably should just let this die...with this thread, but I believe that sometimes what is written isn't clear...may not even be what the writer intended to say. Above I find another example of confession...how is Logos much less that the others...particularly QV (which I also own and only open to use a few resources as an e-reader? Admittedly, we all need to exhibit much grace toward one another; however, let's us strive for clarity in our posts as well.
Logos has historically defined itself clearly as a Christian Library program or at least functions that way. A love fest about all the new bells and whistles of the L4 interface perhaps has obscured the basic nature of the core librarian program. However, the significance of this database architecture of L4 didn't really strike me until I started to see how transferable on various platforms it is or has become. The subtleness of this kind of library management function maybe missed unless one considers what can happen when a) Logos branches out into other "libraries" and/or b) there is direct competition from other e-book readers. How much is one Christian's Library worth if its not a core business of Logos? I would consider L4 less than QV in terms of ease of use and applications...i.e. Bibleworks.
At the current time Logos has about 500,000 users,
I had no idea the user base was so large. Very impressive. Do you think that is mostly in the US?
Have a great day,
jmac
Number one in sales? Popularity? Ease of use? Number of resources? Search capabilities? Bang-for-the-buck? Size of user base?
While trying to be objective, I would say:
Number one in sales? - I would think Logos
Popularity? - Download numbers seem to show e-S****
Ease of use? - Subjective, but WOR******* seems to be concentrated on this
Number of resources? - Definitely Logos
Search capabilities? - Logos again
Bang-for-the-buck? - An argument could be obviously made for freeware, but as far a purchasing goes, Logos boxed products would be the winner.
Size of user base? - Again I think e-S****
"As any translator will attest, a literal translation is no translation at all."
i went with Logos because of the resources, pure and simple. it remains my only paid-for bible software. I have downloaded some nice free ones, but over time, just about all of the resources I had in those, I now have in Logos. I didn't have the money to buy other brands, and now I don't want to. Too invested and satisfied with Logos.
Before I bought Logos, I would "barf" at the various versions from others, touting ALL their resources, and thinking: hmmm, that is public domain, and that, and that, and that . . . Logos blew me away with what I could get from them that I REALLY wanted to use. And it has only gotten better. Functionality is WAYY improved, too (the current 3/4 debate notwithstanding)
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
Number one in sales? Popularity? Ease of use? Number of resources? Search capabilities? Bang-for-the-buck? Size of user base?While trying to be objective, I would say:
Number one in sales? - I would think Logos
Popularity? - Download numbers seem to show e-S****
Ease of use? - Subjective, but WOR******* seems to be concentrated on this
Number of resources? - Definitely Logos
Search capabilities? - Logos again
Bang-for-the-buck? - An argument could be obviously made for freeware, but as far a purchasing goes, Logos boxed products would be the winner.
Size of user base? - Again I think e-S****
I use/have used all of these, and I think Paul is right on target. It stands to reason that the free product will have the largest user base because, well because it's free.
The other point I would make about WOR****** is that the company's focus is, by their own sales folks' admission, more on providing a tool for the preacher/teacher than providing tools for the scholar. From what I've seen, Logos does both very well. I have no standing whatsoever as a Bible scholar, but I do know a couple, and they hold Logos in high esteem.
As do most of the Bible Scholars here on the forum!
I think I've said this before, but I'll repeat myself - Logos is great for finding answers to the questions I have, and it also seems to be great at providing other people with answers to questions that I can't even comprehend, let alone think of asking.
Blessings,
Jim D.
It stands to reason that the free product will have the largest user base because, well because it's free.
Downloads, installs and active user base are three different animals. I have downloaded most of the free stuff out there. I have kept only 2 of them installed. I only use one of them when I want the Bible in Japanese. I have Logos fired up all day, every day.
Logos 7 Collectors Edition
ReneAtchley, I asked if you would help me understand your position by giving your definition of a Bible Software Program, I am not sure if your last post was an attempt to do that or not, but you did not define Bible Software Program, and so I am still not understanding what you mean.
It looks like you are mixing up the idea of what a Bible Software Program does, with the fact that you don't like how the Logos Bible Software Program performs, but I am not sure what you are saying since I still have only heard you imply that Logos is not a bible software program, but you are not giving me any meaning for what does a bible software program do.
Are you saying that the Quickverse or PC-Study Bible programs are bible study programs and that they are because they do less?
Please take the time to explain what you really are meaning. I have never seen this line of thought and would like to understand it.
In Christ,
Jim
Is this a rhetorical question?
You are asking that question in a very biased forum. Of course you know what our answer will be. [;)] (Did you really need to ask, anyway?)
I don't know if this question is serious or not, but I have used a number of Bible software programs over the last 9 years so I will give you my thoughts.
My first Bible software was QuickVerse. It is a good for an ebook reader. It does have a few neat features with prayer requests and some other things that are geared toward Christians. It is not a research tool though.
As I began to study NT Greek I quickly found that QuickVerse was not enough so I bought BibleWorks. It was great for research of the original texts but at the time had next to no resources outside of that. So I found BibleWorks a nice complement to QuickVerse, but not a replacement.
During my NT Greek studies, one of the books I was going through turned me on to Accordance. It had both the research capabilities and resources of both previous programs. So I bought an iBook G4 and was happy. I think, that this is still the best all-round Bible Software there is on any platform.
More recently, (last few months) many organizations doing tribal translations have gone to Logos. So I was "forced" to get Logos 4 in order to get the resources that I need. I have been really impressed with Logos 4. I still don't completely know my way around it yet, but I think that it will be comparable to Accordance once it is officially released, at least from what I am doing through VMware Fusion on Windows.
So all that to say, Logos is a great program, especially for the Windows platform. I think that anyone on a Windows platform would be well advised to get Logos 4. On the Mac side, I would say do your research and know what you are wanting in a Bible software because there are two VERY good programs out there.
Linguist/Bible Translator
NTM Indonesia
www.ntm.org/justin_burt
I have the latest version of quickvrse 2010 ,and have been using quiverse software for about for 7-8 this is not enough ,I have the PC study bible professional this is better than quickverse ,both of them cannot be compared to Logos software.
Blessings in Christ.
Yes, at least it helps me to Appriciate.
Blessings in Christ.
No,it is a quetion.I would like to know.
Blessings in Christ.
I don't think I can add much to what has already been said. In the past I have used all kinds of Bible study software (from freeware to academic software), but Logos 3 is the program I have profited most from.
I'm a bit perplexed by the in's and out's of this thread. Logos sells us a library manager, as I understand it, with lots of bells and whistles for a tremendous price and it is perceived as a Bible software program. Indeed L4 can do many great things (and great potential for more from what I understand) but a "bible software program"....really...[:^)]