Logos has overtaken Accordance for good

I'd agree with many of your points.  I was looking forward to the Accordance Windows version, having listened to the Accordance users.  I wasn't wildly happy-fied. Plus the iOS app is a pain.  I'd say the Logos app is far better.

That said, for new users and friends, I'd probably recommend Olive Tree first, and if the person likes to delve into the languages a bit, then Accordance.  Most people have others things they need to do in their lives.  Both are developing a nice set of Bible resources and both easy to pick up, along with other of life's travails.

Logos returned 60m results from my library in well under 30 seconds. Can you do a search in accordance that can bring back 60m results? and how long does it take?

Each program has it's strengths... Reported typos and errors (to be a true error that is corrected means an error differing from the PRINTED book, not an error in the printed book that has been passed on to the electronic version) have always been addressed in the next revision. I have no experience with the Windows version, but the mac version is very stable. Search results in Accordance are as fast if not faster than Logos. Logos has a great interface, more bells and whistles than I think are needed but it is very nice. The iOS versions major flaw is syncing notes/highlights must be down manually and selection of text is not natural, the later should be corrected in the next major release, although I find it embarrassing that selection of word sentence or paragraph was ever seen as a viable choice. As a person who needs to flip between iOS Accordance and iOS Logos, I will say it is like switching from a fast mustang bareback, to a tethered mule with a nice saddle. Reading in iOS Acc. is smith fast and original language look up is quick. Logos iOS is slow constantly requires one to wait (only seconds) to do anything. And the features for more in-depth study are tied to having connection via cellular or WIFI.

I encourage people to look at each and decide which one will be better, sadly for all Logos' great features, those who cannot afford too much I recommend Accordance hands down. $50 gets you a modern decent one volume commentary, ESV tied to original language, a great modern one volume dictionary, as well as dozens of other highly valued classically works. When all is said and done both are valuable and I would not want to be without either. Accordance will always have a smaller Library to draw from, that being said 75% of the works I consider essential are now available in Accordance. If Logos imploded tomorrow I would not feel overly hard done by with the selection of books that are in Accordance now (that being said a large number of available works in Accordance I own in Logos, simply because they were in Logos first, but so ironically often not as cheap as in Accordance, but then ACC lacks the dynamic reference tagging from one resource to another usually (Scripture references are always tagged, but jumping from say a reference in the NIB to the passage in WBC is not automatically done)).

I am sorry you are not finding Accordance valuable any longer, but that being said perhaps you can sell it and use the money to increase your Logos Library.

-Dan

I personally use both. As I've mentioned on the Accordance forums, I consider each a different tool for a different job. Accordance launches faster than Logos and is lightning fast at searches, as well as its "Parallel Panes" feature is excellent for Biblical Language studies since I can fit more on the screen cleanly than I can Logos.

However, Logos has many more books (and I've invested a lot more in Logos) than Accordance, as well as I enjoy all the data sets and in house databases created by the Logos Research Team. The cloud syncing capabilities outshine Accordance as well.

Bottom line. I keep both open most of the time for my work. I consider both different tools in my toolbox of Bible Study apps.

Unix said:

Could You email them about also wanting to include the Jewish Study Bible if no additional transfer fee?

"Transfer fee"?  What is a transfer?

I'd think OT and A-Company's searches as described would be physically impossible.  Of course, the same search on my Logos would similarly be physically impossible.

MJ. Smith said:

Unix said:

I know MJ. would not advise to use two different pieces of software because there's too much overlap.

Right on advice; wrong on reason.

Would you plan to write an academic paper putting some of your notes on napkins or the back of envelops, some of them in notebooks and most of them on index cards? Not by design although it often happens by accident. That is why I discourage the use of multiple software packages to accomplish the same task and encourage the use of integrated environments which may be a single piece of software or multiple software applications that handle different tasks.

I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm not convinced the problem you describe is in reality an issue on a modern computing platform.  Nearly every program I use for academic research allows me to cut and paste to the clipboard in Windows and I find that with multiple monitors I don't have any difficulty with taking notes in various specific digital resources. 

MJ. Smith said:

Erik said:

I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm not convinced the problem you describe is in reality an issue on a modern computing platform

The problem is remembering where the resource and/or note may be ... perhaps only a problem when you have more than a handful of decades in which to have run into the wanted quotation, reference, explanation ... And yes I am less impressed with the higher powered search software that I use due to file type considerations.

Point taken.  Even with my short 45 years on this earth, I too find myself losing track of where I've kept things. I spend the better part of my day sifting through folders upon folders looking for Word, Excel and .pdf files in our document control system at work.  That said, use of multiple biblical software platforms does not cause me much consternation at this early stage of my life.  To me it is still much easier than sifting through my print volumes that are receiving less and less attention every year.

JoshInRI said:

Does any version allow me to use a picker to get to a book, chapter, and verse?  I continue to marvel at how some basic functionality is missing in Logos 5.x.

sorry, I disagree with you here. You simply cannot use the mouse (or fingers on touch screen) faster than you can type an abbreviated reference in Logos: "ge 17 5", "jn 3 16", etc.

only a voice search can potentially be faster

abondservant said:

I type pretty fast.

Well that may well be but from Josh's context I was envisioning him with his tablet, needing to bring up the on screen keyboard to enter, at which point you already have lost seconds doing that. If he does have his keyboard with him, he still has to tap the screen and enter in the verse, which is not too much issue but seems to be leaving him behind.

-Dan 

Great thread and thanks for the info Nathan. I read from a growing number that Accordance is superior in dealing with the Biblical text itself. Is there anything specifically w/the Bible texts and/or the english texts that Accordance does but Logos doesn't or is it simply that it's just better and easier in this area? For example how would Accordance compare with Logos's morph, clause search? Logos's syntax search is a bit cumbersome (not that I have a better idea), but would be especially interested if Accordance had this feature and if so, how does it compare? Appreciate your input as well as others! (And hope to see you "in the (learnlogos.com) webinar" tomorrow morning.)

While I do agree with your overall conclusion that Logos is a stronger set of tools than Accordance, I do not necessarily agree with some of your individual conclusion.

I do have and use both for different reasons. I am glad that have are different approaches to bible software.  

The way I define both is that Accordance study mentality is analog while Logos is digital. While Logos emphasizes accumulation of resources to be searched, Accordance emphasis is in carefully selecting the right resources. 

There is no doubt that Accordance searches are faster than Logos, regardless of the machine, both desktop and mobile app. Specially on older machines Accordance shines in that department. Accordance shines also in a clean and straightforward interface. Those who do language studies do appreciate that.

While there is no doubt that Logos is king in the resources department, Accordance have every essential and important resource available. 

I do agree that Logos seems better suited for the working pastor while Accordance seems to attract more of the seminary and scholar type user. 

One area that Logos is much better than Accordance is on the note and highlight areas. More flexible and powerful.

I do agree that Accordance app needs some work but it is not dependent from a internet connection like Logos is. Still Accordance app is faster than Logos app. Plus, Accordance app footprint is much smaller than Logos. I have every resource I own, Advance plus some extra resources including the WBC and it is only 2.9GB on my iPad while with Logos I don have as nearly as many resources installed in the iPad and it has 6.3GB.

While it is nice with Logos that I don't have to have everything installed in the iPad to have access to it, I do need to be connected to the internet to have access and to use all the guides. While I prefer Logos app while connected to the web and when I am using notes and highlights, when I don't have internet connection I rather use Accordance. For example, the look up function in Logos app without internet is useless while the Instant Display in Accordance app rocks. So both companies have to do some work on their mobile apps. Same with collections, you don't have access to them unless you are connected.

I do believe that overall, Logos is a much better tool and more forward thinking than Accordance. Logos is not afraid of innovating while Accordance believe their way is the best way and don't seem that open to reinvent the wheel. Logos tagging of resources seem to be more extensive and deeper. I personally love the guides in Logos. But Logos can be a bit intimidating at first. You have to take some courses in order to really leverage Logos power. 

As far as support I would give Accordance support 5 our 5 stars. I think they have the best support by far. I would give Logos 3.5 our 5 star. Not bad but not stellar either. There has been to many emails gone unanswered or answered after 48 hours by Logos. Fortunately I haven't had any major problems either software. 

One support example would be enough... When I first got Accordance I was a bit frustrated because I did not understood the software. Within 24 hours I had one of the owners in a video conference with me sharing screen and helping me. Yes, I am sure their user base is smaller compared to Logos, but still, they were there for me when I needed them. For some that is more important that guides, databases and the rest.

What would I chose today if I had none? I would choose Logos for sure because it gives me what I like.

I think it would be nice for Logos to offer discounts like A-Company.  Say for Overseas Service, etc.  Acc is fast on searches. Fast.  But the programs are hardly neck and neck--Logos has pulled ahead too far for me to look back. 

Thanks so much, Denise! And very helpful posts David and Dan!

I was a BW and Logos combo user up until BW came out with Mac version but mine crashed and ran into a hassle reinstalling on Mac and haven't gone to the trouble to reinstall it. More of a addendum than a necessity as Logos has progressed so much w/original language tools. Would really like to see how folks who use Accordance here would compare its capability to morph and syntax search vs. Logos. I'm way too vested in Logos to turn back now and would never want to!

But if I can use Accordance to supplement/enhance exegesis in sermon prep and personal study w/Logos (i.e. in ways that Logos can't or not as comparatively well to justify the purchase), then would strongly consider purchasing text related tools. I've seen several Accordance podcasts and Youtubes about basics of the program but can't find any where actual morph and/or syntax work's being done. Kudos to Logos for all the training videos in addition to Morris Proctor and John Fallahee (who goes into more depth re: syntax than Morris does in his training vids, especially w/syntax search). Also, great advanced free training (syntax especially) by Logos on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7pYzNJpo8Q. Would be good to see this level of syntax training examples from Accordance). 

Grateful for all of the feedback!

Bened save your money. For Sermon preparation Accordance will not offer you anything you already have in Logos except search speed. And to make that speed mean something you will need to purchase many titles in Accordance, even duplicate some, to make it worth your time using it. Instead of focusing in Bible study you will be deciding which one to use.

I wish I would have follow John Fallahee advice and just stayed with Logos. But I didn't and I retreat it. I have wasted money into Accordance instead of investing in logos. 

Dan make the point that Accordance has all the New Interpreter stuff, but I don't think that in itself is a good enough compelling reason to buy Accordance. Plus what you get for $49 in Accordance don't even come close to be usable for a pastor. Let be real, the main reason we buy software is to have access and search resources. Any system you buy has to have resources to make it worthwhile. a $49 Accordance does not offer enough to really compare it to Logos entry level. 

I would say that if you have Accordance you have reasons to also getting Logos, but if you have Logos there is no compelling reasons to also get Accordance. 

The depth of Logos tagging and guides just blows Accordance out of the water, unless you do study the analog way, then, Accordance is an option.

And if anyone wants to buy Accordance from me I would be willing to sell what I have to them. Just PM me.

Dan Francis said:

and looking at start up costs would likely send me into ACC arms. $50 vs. $300 is a big difference for start packages.

This is by design.  It takes Accordance 6 newbies to equal one Logos newbie. If each newbie makes a short 10 minute support call, Accordance is in  it for 1 hour to every 10 minutes Logos is. Then there is the fact the Logos user has shown he is willing to spend serious money for his Bible software.

Yeah...It is no accident. It is by design.

Perhaps a Faithlife upgrade package is in order. Several public domain bibles such as the KJV, KJVA, ASV and the ESV (Crossways is giving these away on Amazon and through other Bible software companies, seems like Logos could negotiate a low price). Some type of basic Original Language Dictionary Strong's or the 3 Volume DBL (Logos owns it). The New Naves Topical Bible, Logos Maps. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Perhaps a basic bible intro or handbook. Finally an English dictionary.

It would be nice if Logos added Strong's number to the ESV. Perhaps this package should contain the NASV95. I am sure Logos would not include their reverse interlinear dataset.

Thanks for the advice, David. 

The disappointing Accordance demo and no-return policy leaves little motivation for one w/almost 8k books and 14 years in Logos to invest elsewhere. You'd think w/a demo that only runs for 60 min at a time (really) they'd trot out the dog and load it so you'd be missing Accordance when it shut down. But not the case. Just seeing James White whiz around on Accordance w/Comfort's textual commentary open (Logos doesn't offer it -- which mystifies me) w/all multi-text hover/highlighting just made me wonder a bit w/doing text work. The main feature I know Accordance beats Logos is text comparison. I can put up multiple translations and link them, do sympathetic highlighting but that's as far as it'll go w/regular display to compare w/Acc (and not Logos' barebones text comparison display.) Otherwise, haven't seen it yet. Have heard things, but haven't seen anything.

But, you're right re: tagging, searching features. I've got layouts and collections, etc per Fallahee's DVDs w/some Morris advice mixed in.  Btw, w/all due respect to the BW9 brother earlier in the thread, I did reload my BW9 on Mac today and I spent about 10 minutes, smiled and thanked the Lord for Logos. Just no comparison unless you've got to do some ultra-esoteric search (I learned in seminary that all men aren't created equal. Second and third year Greek tends to separate the profs from the preachers [;)].) Still have to restart BW9 to change font size(!). (BW, floppy disk installs and all, got me thru last two years of seminary '93-95.)

Grateful for the Lord's provision then -- and especially now.

Dan, I think you are comparing apples with oranges. Logos and Accordance Starter packs are not in the same level.

Accordance Starter pack at $49 is a bare bone Accordance with only one main modern Bibles, the ESV and then the KJV. And only those two are tagged. Commentaries it only offer two one volume commentary and two basic dictionary Easton and Eerdmans.

Logos starter packages has all the main Bible translation and all are tagged (ESV, NKJB, KJV, NASB, NIV, NLT, The Message, NRSV, NCB and Good news (and others). It has the full Matthew henry Commentary and not just the condensed version.

And so on.

You truly need to invest between $199 and $299 with Accordance to get something substanctial. That said, I do agree that Logos Starter Package should be cheaper but even that price should not deter anyone as there is payment plans that allows anyone to get that and much more easily. To be fair, no matter what you choose you will need to spend much more to have a essential library of resources. 

In my case I currently have Logos 5 Silver with many, many extra resources and Accordance Advance with several extra tools (resources). 

I get commentaries such as Hermeneia or New Interpreter's Bible cheaper (H) or for the same price (NIB) in Accordance and they are better tagged. It's possible to easily transfer notes and highlightings from old Hermeneia Accordance modules to new or updated ones, see: Hermeneia Upgrade: How To?

Unlike Accordance Logos does have ICC and Continental Commentaries to complement H but I get better textual critical tools in Accordance, for example MT-LXX Parallel made by Tov, Comprehensive Bible, Comfort New Testament Text and Translation Commentary.

When it comes to general New Testament commentaries, Logos's strength is the Paideia series. But no other real strengths.

It's more fun to learn to use Accordance if You have an internet connection without a data cap (which I don't have) as there are many free podcasts, both about resources and the software. Fortunately I do have the Catholic Practicum videos in Logos.

Accordance resources are faster to organize in the library as sets are just a few modules (Logos lists every volume separately) and unlike Logos it's possible to leave the library open all the time if You want to.

Isn't keeping the library open in Logos equal to clicking the Library-button? If You do something unrelated to that, it closes.

Graham Criddle said:

if you right-click on the library button you can open it in a floating window

For other options see https://wiki.logos.com/Library__#Opening_the_Library_window 

Missing from the Wiki - and best on the PC, in my opinion - is middle-click to open in a new tab.

Unix, right Click over the library icon on the bar and you will see the options (see the image0

Much have been said about the Accordance $50 entry package as a "good deal". I think those who think so are focusing in the "price" instead of what they are really getting.  That "starter package is just a paid trial.  When I bought the Accordance Starter Package I had to upgrade within days because I realize that it was pretty much useless for me as a Bible study tool.

For those who really like Accordance and just want to "get in" into Accordance it may be a good deal. 

Let be honest, to be able to make the most out of either Logos or Accordance you need to invest on resources. Otherwise you will not benefit much from what they can do for us.  They both shine when you have the right resources. 

And Logos is more flexible than Accordance when it comes to payment plans. and Logos has something that Accordance does not have nor have any intention of offering: Dynamic Pricing (Accordance offer something like it only if you buys within a month or so. Lame, in my opinion). This represent substantial savings. 

So there is really no excuse in not been able to get the right software with the right resources.

I just want to make clear that I do like Accordance. I think is a great & powerful tool. Their mobile app is nice and when they add those few missing items it will be great. Specially because its small footprint, speed and not been dependent of wi fi connection. But for my needs, Logos is better suited and if I could go back I would have listened to John and just gotten Logos. I love Logos and if they make the Guides not dependent in the internet I would love it more.

David Medina said:

Much have been said about the Accordance $50 entry package as a "good deal". I think those who think so are focusing in the "price" instead of what they are really getting.  That "starter package is just a paid trial.  When I bought the Accordance Starter Package I had to upgrade within days because I realize that it was pretty much useless for me as a Bible study tool.

I am not saying it is ideal for most people. But we have so much more  than is actually needed. We need the Bible and guidance from a good dictionary and a couple resources can bear a very productive spiritual life. 

-Dan