Comparison

The United Methodist Hymnal vs Concord Reader +

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

The United Methodist Hymnal

Access the official United Methodist Hymnal with digital page scans and powerful search. Explore song details, authors, and multiple musical arrangements. Includes a free selection of public domain hymns with optional in-app purchases for complete editions and advanced features.

Highlights
  • Digital page scans of hymnal
  • Powerful song search (first line, author, topic, scripture)
  • Information on songs and authors
  • Multiple song versions (pew, large print, instrumental)
  • Adjustable FlexScores (size, key, capo)
  • Setlist feature for worship planning
  • Foot pedal page turning support
Features
Read full description

This is the official iPad edition of The United Methodist Hymnal (1989) authorized by The United Methodist Publishing House. The app includes page scans of the hymnal, powerful search capabilities, information about songs and their authors, and the ability to access several different versions of songs including pew, large print, lead sheet, and instrumental (strings, brass, and woodwinds). This free app includes the 281 public domain songs in The United Methodist Hymnal. Through in-app purchases, you can add the following editions which includes all public domain and most copyrighted hymns: • Pew edition for the complete hymnal* ($24.99) • Keyboard edition for the complete hymnal** ($24.99) • Large Print edition for the complete hymnal** ($19.99) • FlexScore edition for the complete hymnal** ($99.99) • Transposed editions (scores for specific instruments) for the complete hymnal** ($39.99) • Individual FlexScores – one version of one song ($1.99) • Individual FlexScores – all versions of one song ($9.99) * Hymns and services only ** Hymns only, no services or readings Many songs include links to resources for background information and for worship planning, such as related scripture passages, topics, worship notes on the text and tune, PowerPoint slides, and available choral and instrumental arrangements. The search box allows you to search for songs by first line, author, composer, topic, or scripture passages quoted or alluded to. You can also jump immediately to a hymn by number. Our revolutionary FlexScores are available for most songs. Through FlexScores you can adjust the music and text size of the scores, transpose the key, and change capo. The versions offered for FlexScores include pew, lead sheet, violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto saxophone, soprano or tenor saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, and tuba. For instrumental versions, the music is transposed into an appropriate range and displayed in an appropriate clef for the instrument (based on the same part arrangement of the printed hymnal). You may use the "setlist" feature to pre-arrange hymns in your preferred order (for example, the song sequence in a worship service). When you "play" the "setlist" you can go to the next pre-determined songs with one flip! Flip the page with a foot pedal! With an optional, Bluetooth enabled, foot pedal (bought separately) you may turn pages back and forth using a compatible foot pedal. A great convenience for instrumental players! IMPORTANT NOTES: - This app does NOT play any audio of hymns. - A network connection is required to access hymn background information, and view most FlexScores. - While editions (such as the Pew Edition or FlexScore Edition) of the hymnal can be transferred to other devices, individual FlexScores -- both the $1.99 and $9.99 versions -- cannot be transferred to other devices. - Due to copyright permissions, we cannot display the following hymns in the app, even after you purchase one of the editions of the hymnal: 132, 161, 499, 632, and 728. We are continually working on gathering the necessary permissions to display such hymns.

About

Concord Reader +

Access a vast digital library of theatrical scripts and sheet music. Enhance your reading experience with interactive notes and highlighting. Seamlessly sync your progress and notes across all your devices.

Highlights
  • Access over 2,000 plays and musicals
  • Interactive notes and highlighting
  • Cross-device syncing
  • Group access for classrooms/rehearsals
  • Digital sheet music
Features
Read full description

Introducing Concord Reader+, a new interactive ePlay Reader service from Concord Theatricals that puts the world’s best scripts and sheet music at your fingertips. With over 2,000 plays and musicals available, you can explore the largest digital collection of theatrical works in the world on your mobile device, tablet or computer. Concord Reader + features include: INSTANT ACCESS ePlays, Perusals and Digital Sheet Music from Concord Theatricals will automatically appear in your Concord Reader+ app and will work on all popular tablets and smart phones. INTERACTIVE READING Once you access your ePlay or Perusal, keep your thoughts organized with our interactive features. You can enhance your experience by adding notes, highlighting dialogue, and much more. UNINTERRUPTED READING ACROSS DEVICES Concord Reader+ picks up where you left off. Across mobile devices, tablets and computers, Concord Reader+ stays up to date with your bookmarks and notes no matter where you are. ENHANCE THE CLASSROOM OR REHEARSAL ROOM Now, with group access capabilities, script distribution is as easy as pressing a button. Teachers and directors can access a full a set of ePlays for your cast and creative team. Once a group license is redeemed, students and/or cast members receive a code granting access to the ePlay! ABOUT CONCORD THEATRICALS Concord Theatricals is the world’s most significant theatrical company, comprising the catalogs of R&H Theatricals, Samuel French, Tams-Witmark and The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection. Our unparalleled roster includes the work of Irving Berlin, Agatha Christie, George & Ira Gershwin, Marvin Hamlisch, Lorraine Hansberry, Kander & Ebb, Ken Ludwig, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dominique Morisseau, Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Thornton Wilder and August Wilson. We are the only firm providing truly comprehensive services to the creators and producers of plays and musicals, including theatrical licensing, music publishing, script publishing, cast recording and first-class production.

Screenshots

The United Methodist Hymnal4 screens
Concord Reader +4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: The United Methodist Hymnal at 4.4 against Concord Reader +'s 1.8. The United Methodist Hymnal also leads on review sentiment (35% vs 14%) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). Concord Reader +'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. The United Methodist Hymnal sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Concord Reader + asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The United Methodist Hymnal holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The United Methodist Hymnal has 131 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of The United Methodist Hymnal's written reviews are positive against 14% of Concord Reader +'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The United Methodist Hymnal ships an update every 5 weeks, Concord Reader + every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
The United Methodist Hymnal versus Concord Reader +: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe United Methodist HymnalConcord Reader +
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (131 ratings) — better1.8 (21 ratings)
Positive reviews35.3% of reviews — better14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings131 — better21
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.111.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB101 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristian Classics Ethereal LibraryConcord Music Group, Incorporated

Customer experience

The United Methodist Hymnal

All ratings131 ratings
Positive84.7%
Neutral3.8%
Negative11.5%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive35.3%
Neutral11.8%
Negative52.9%

Concord Reader +

All ratings21 ratings
Positive19.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative81.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

The United Methodist Hymnal

One-time10
  • One FlexScore Version$2.99
  • FlexScore Edition$11.99
  • Large Print Edition$19.99
Show 7 more
  • Pew Edition$24.99
  • Keyboard Edition$24.99
  • B-flat Edition$39.99
  • Bass Edition$39.99
  • Soprano Edition$39.99
  • E-flat Edition$39.99
  • FlexScore Edition$99.99
None

Concord Reader +

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is The United Methodist Hymnal free?
The United Methodist Hymnal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Concord Reader + free?
Concord Reader + is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, The United Methodist Hymnal or Concord Reader +?
The United Methodist Hymnal is rated higher. The United Methodist Hymnal averages 4.4 out of 5 from 131 ratings, while Concord Reader + averages 1.8 from 21 ratings.
Do The United Methodist Hymnal or Concord Reader + have ads?
Neither The United Methodist Hymnal nor Concord Reader + shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The United Methodist Hymnal or Concord Reader +?
The United Methodist Hymnal ships an update every 5 weeks, and Concord Reader + every 3 months. Most recently, The United Methodist Hymnal was updated on November 2, 2026 and Concord Reader + on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons