Accordance Bible Software

Accordance is one of the best Bible study apps available, period. I use it regularly, both for personal reading and devotion, and in my studies and research. Version 3.4 has been much more stable than previous versions, however, I still run into user interface issues. For example, if I want to switch to a different book or resource while in reader view, I try to click in the top left corner, but 95% of the time, or more, it only brings up the instant details pop up or the verse tool. I have literally spent over 2 minutes just trying to change Bible books in the middle of sermon while trying to keep up with the teaching. If there is a gesture just for bringing up the resource selector, I am not aware of it. Also, the divider between the two text panes always changes position when switching between apps. I usually keep the divider halfway between my English and Hebrew/Greek texts. When I switch to my note taking app and then switch back, the divider has jumped to the ⅔ of the screen in English text and ⅓ in original language. That means every time I switch, I also have to reposition the divider. This is frustrating and should be easily fixed. As it is, sometimes, if I’m trying to take notes in the middle of a sermon or teaching, I don’t use Accordance, but use a simple Bible reader app, just because I get frustrated with the user interface issues. I hope OakTree Software takes care of this, because when Accordance works properly, it’s probably my favorite Bible app.

I gave the app three stars because it’s pretty solid overall. However, the text search feature is really tedious and frustrating given that there’s just SO MUCH SCROLLING with each search of a text. This really takes up a lot of time when trying to find several texts at once; for example, while listening to a sermon in church and being given two or three bible texts to reference. If, let’s say, I look up Rev 22:20...I tap the menu button, but then have to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the list of bible books because they don’t all show up on the screen at once. Then I have to scroll all the way down to the chapter 22, then the same thing for the verse. It would really help if when we tapped the menu button, all the books were shown on the same pop up menu with no scrolling needed. Same thing for chapters and verses.

First -- I'm not particularly happy that I'm basically forced into writing a review. The "Give Us a 5-Star Review" notification pops up every time I open the app. The only options are to either write a review or press the "maybe later" button. Turns out, the "maybe later" is every time I open the app. Not cool. Second -- I would give this app 5 stars if it weren't for the fact that it locks up on the loading screen far too frequently (actually, even once would be too many times). I'm forced to delete the app, re-download it, and then pick through the many books, commentaries, etc. to download as well. I have found that the fewer items I select, the better chance I have of not needing to repeat the whole process. This is very frustrating, since I have purchased many, many resources over the years. Even when I download only a few items, the app may work well for a couple of weeks but then lock up again (without adding other items). Again, this is extremely frustrating -- especially in light of how much money I've paid over the years.