Logos Direction

Tim Ackley · 2025-08-13T17:05:02+00:00

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It seems to me that Logos is quietly (not so quietly anymore) trying to force people to move to a subscription base by withholding features from those who have not chosen to go there. I was a long time Quickverse/Wordsearch user, forced to turn to Logos if I didn't want to lose the thousands I had invested, since paid for the additionally pricey version that I now have, only to be inundated with 'subscription' options. I have invested thousands of dollars into Logos and I'm shut out of all new feature options?? Of course 'I am welcome to stay where I am', they say, but I will certainly not be getting all the new and developing features of the sub option. It seems to me that Logos is increasingly driven by money, overshadowing the concern for furthering the work of gospel ministry. Frustrating to see what seems to be this direction!

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Comments

John Kaess

First: Why is it that you think Logos is a ministry? It is not a church nor a non-profit organization.

Second: How do you think they have managed to exist and grow these past 30+ years. Have you ever "donated" to their "ministry"?

Third: Since when is it considered "greedy" to make and sell a product for profit. The fact that they do so is a testament to the fact that they are a viable business with a solid customer base.

Fourth: Why do you consider not giving you new features and abilities which you haven't paid for to be "withholding" features? If you go into Starbucks and they don't give you a free coffee, do you consider them to be "withholding" coffee?

Fifth: Why do you think that their asking you to subscribe to their product is "forcing" you? You either think that what they offer is worth the cost or you don't think that. It's called a choice, not coercion.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1376700#Comment_1376700

Absolutely.

In the old days, they had free software, but you paid for features, most of which I've no need. Modern times, they have free software and you subscribe for features I have no need for. So, I don't.

I feel like a moocher. Free, free, free! Subscribers pay.

Jerry Bush

I cannot add anything better to what John said. If you don't like subs, don't subscribe. You lose nothing that you didn't have before. For instance, I had the full feature set of Logos 10. I could not subscribe and use that for the rest of my life and not spend another dime.

Did you upgrade every two years when a new feature set came out? I did. Cost it out… what would 2 years of subscribing be for you? I'll bet it is cheaper than the one big upgrade cost every two years.

I find the subscription very valuable but not everyone does. If you don't, keep happily using what you have.

Jerry Bush

I do think they should not bombard you with subscribing if you don't want to. That would be annoying.

DMM

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1376817#Comment_1376817

I think the issue that a lot of people have is not with the subscription, but rather, if you have been a Logos user for years and years and have spent thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars on books, and don't subscribe, your Logos workspace which you have already invested tons of money in, is becoming full of ads for the subscription.

I can see how that would be very frustrating.

Instead of: "Hey, do you want to subscribe?" "No thanks" "Ok, we respect that, it's not for everyone."

it's more: "Hey, do you want to subscribe?" "No thanks" "Well, we're going to constantly remind you with ads and popups in your workspace that you need to be a subscriber, and you won't be able to read those books that you've previously paid us for without seeing those ads until you eventually give in and subscribe."

Don Awalt

I realize this is just my perspective, but I do wonder why Logos doesn’t provide a way for users to turn off in-app ads. Having “ads on” as the default is reasonable, but it seems fair to allow users to opt out if they wish. Many users may think, “I know where to go if I want to learn about subscriptions; I don’t need to be reminded within the app.”

For paying customers, the sentiment might be: “I’ve already made a purchase—please stop showing ads so I can focus on using what I’ve paid for.” For free users, Logos has already provided generous access to the software and resources. Most are likely aware that if they want more, they can explore the website, receive email communications, or ask in the forums.

Many retailers allow customers to opt out of promotional emails entirely—often a bigger risk than allowing ad opt-outs in an app—because those emails may be the only reminder a shopper receives about sales or promotions. In contrast, a Logos user interacts with the app regularly and is already aware that additional content and features exist.

If so many companies, even those relying heavily on ongoing engagement, can offer a “no ads” option, it seems reasonable to ask: why can’t Logos do the same?

Joshua Rasdall

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1376700#Comment_1376700

I can't speak to all that, but they say the internet never forgets, but users do. When many of us first bought into Logos, their mission statement overtly was a ministry: "Our mission is to serve the church". That is what the word 'ministry' literally means.

I tend to agree with OP: typically professional software would gate new features behind paid upgrade paths. This kept my wallet in my hand until a new feature was worth purchasing. Logos went a different direction, and has continually updated with features I didn't ask for; sometimes to positive effect, sometimes negative. Sadly, the logical conclusion is that should they develop software fixes and meaningful updates, the only option is subscription, which of course puts their hand in my wallet.

No one is suggesting a servant isn't worthy of their wages. It is not a question of what has happened…it is a question of how, how often, and how much. I find subscription models insidious, and agree with others that I don't want to be continually reminded to subscribe. But the overarching principle is that only time will tell if the legacy version remains readily available to download or if it is discontinued. And the point there is that it is no longer in the hands of the user.

DMB

Well, they do have a lock on the books. That's what's different.

So, it just works out to business. Revenue=subscribe+books. Executives have their goals, for bonus's and job retention. There's faces behind the behavior.

The mystery is the lack of finesse. Emails. Ads. As if they just don't know how, or it doesn't really matter.

Jerry Bush

I 100% agree that a user should be able to turn off ads within the program, period.

Tim Ackley

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1376700#Comment_1376700

John, do you work for Logos? I'm asking that sincerely wondering why you replied with 5 questions which seems a bit overboard of a response if you are just a user. Having invested thousands of dollars, yes, I do believe I have a right to be frustrated with the direction they are going. Yes, I can choose to stay where I am though they have made it clear that I will not get all the latest features that can help me study the bible even better. I am reminded of this nearly daily with their bombardment of emails. Yes, they are a business, but in all the tutorials I have watched they are trying to help students of God's Word study and teach better for the church…that seems to me to be a ministry mindset even if they are a business and need to make sales. It seems to me that an honorable business/ministry fully honors those who have invested so much (and not limit software advancements from them), and go their direction of subscription service all they want with new clients. I hold to my opinion that Logos, it seems, is letting their need and hope for profit drive their changes and not demonstrating loyalty to their faithful base.

Tim Ackley

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1376825#Comment_1376825

This was much better said than my original post and what I w trying to say with less finesse and clarity. Thanks Josh

Joshua Rasdall

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1376826#Comment_1376826

That is the crucial difference between Logos today and not-even-a-lot-of years ago…the business had a clear face in Bob Pritchett. A move towards a subscription model will always have a 'you will own nothing and be happy' feel to it. I have to confess I was surprised to see several white knights rise up in defense of a paradigm shift towards a silent monthly payment model, but to each their own I guess.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1376840#Comment_1376840

Well, Bob was Bob. He deserved extracting value for all those years (retirement). And a private equity company needs returns. It's just a reality.

What concerns (me) is the new sloppiness. Bob was sloppy, but up front about it! He'd try this and that, and then pull the plug. Some plug-pulling was a bit raw (killing off much of Catholic).

The new regime is basically, follow industry with blunt force. Pulling expertise, 'AI', email mindlessness, ads that guarantee customer angst, and surprising bugs as if struggling with employee-turnover/knowledgability.

John Kaess

Here is my background and history with Logos and my reasoning:

I've been using Logos since the mid 1990s version 2.something. I have, I think, more than $20,000 invested in resources and I do not work for Logos in any way.

I abhor subscriptions and never ever willingly subscribe to any software on any platform unless and until Isee that it actually fulfills a need that Ican not meet in any other way. I resisted subscribing to Logos until just a few months ago because subscribing did not fill any need for what I have been doing in Logos. I finally chose the Pro level subscription, the bare minimus to do what I needed. I am retired and on a fixed income so making that decision was a reluctant and gradual one. Nevertheless, I've found the benefits of the subscription to be worth the $10/month for me. Each of you will need to make that decision for yourselves.

My reason for replying to this post is that the OP was attributing Logo's change to a subscription model as evil and based on greed and a disregard for their customers. That simply can not be left unchallenged. I personally wish they had gone a different way, but it was a business decision. My 30 years of experience with the company has sometimes frustrated me, but I have never seen anything the reeked greed or evil and I think their track record of surviving the demise of many other Bible Software companies shows them to be trustworthy going into the future. My mind reals at what would happen to my ability to Study and Teach the Bible if Logos were to close its doors.

John Kaess

As an aside, and to show my lack of bias, I long ago unsubscribed for ALL emails from Logos. They are continual, unrelenting, and 95% of the time offering me things I already have or that I don't want or need. The down side is that I can no longer receive the annual birthday coupon, but that's a small price for freeing myself from the constant barrage of emails Logos sends out.