Comparison

SoundBox Remote vs JW Notes Theocratic Notes

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

Head to head
About

SoundBox Remote

This app acts as a remote control for the SoundBox Windows software, allowing users to manage audio, visual media, and meeting timers. It offers features like starting/stopping timers, controlling media playback, and displaying fullscreen timers, all from a mobile device.

Highlights
  • Meeting part timers with start/stop/reset
  • Fullscreen timer optimized for podium use
  • Media controls for videos, audio, images, and websites
  • Optional song queuing and playback
  • Progress bar for media playback
  • Bell for overtime alerts
Features
Read full description

This app is a remote control for the SoundBox Windows software, typically used by congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses to manage audio and visual media and the timing of each part of the meeting. You MUST have the SoundBox Windows software installed on a computer to use this app. REMOTE APP FEATURES --------------------------------- Timers for each Meeting Part: - free up the brother on the box from having to control the timers - start/stop/reset timers - collapse meeting sections - timer changes from white > yellow (30 secs) > red (overtime) - sound bell for student parts that go overtime - optionally hide the start/stop buttons in settings for "read-only" mode - email a summary of timers Fullscreen Timer in Landscape: - optimised for use on the speakers podium - tap the clock to hide the Timer if it is distracting - view the Next Song - change the screen brightness Media Controls: - all media for the current meeting - play/pause/stop videos - play/stop audio - show/hide images - comprehensive slideshow support - show/hide websites and pdf files - progress bar for playback of video+audio Optional Song Controls: - view queued songs for the meeting - add/change songs - play/stop songs and background music - optionally hide the songs tab in settings Media will be grouped into the Meeting Sections (Treasures, Ministry, Living) and listed in sequential order. A speaker can control their images or other media from the podium. The app can be run on multiple devices at the same time. For example, the meeting chairman can view the timers and could decide to ring the bell for a student talk if it is running overtime. Another brother from the sound department could be sitting in his seat in the audience starting/stopping the timers for each talk. And of course the fullscreen timer could be running on a device the podium. While the app is running, it will prevent the device from turning off. This can be disabled in settings. The Bell can be played from the local device or from the main SoundBox computer. If it is played from the local device the app will detect the current volume setting, switch it to 100% to play the bell, and then set the volume back to its previous setting. This prevents the device from playing unwanted sounds from other apps and notifications. And of course you are always asked to confirm before the Bell is played - just in case you hit the button by mistake. This app is optimised for all iOS devices - iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad. Split Screen mode is supported on iPad. INSTRUCTIONS --------------------- The app requires at least version 3.0 of Soundbox. You can download the SoundBox Windows software from: http://cv8.org.uk/soundbox/ For instructions on how to use the app please see the website: http://soundbox.imattsolutions.com SUPPORT --------------- Please do not ask questions or report issues on the App Store as there is no way to respond or help you. For feedback about the main SoundBox Windows software see http://cv8.org.uk/soundbox/ For feedback about this SoundBox Remote App please use Facebook or Twitter. App Website: http://soundbox.imattsolutions.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/SoundBoxRemote Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoundBoxRemote OTHER APPS BY IMATT SOLUTIONS ----------------------------------------- If you enjoy SoundBox Remote, you might also enjoy... *** ServicePlanner *** A new Field Service and Ministry App with automated Dropbox Sync, full Call and Return Visit Management, Reporting, Time Scheduling and much more. www.serviceplanner.me *** Equipd Bible *** Multiple Bibles side-by-side, Verse Notes, Bookmarks grouped by Topic, and optional support for Chinese Pinyin, Bopomofo (Zhuyin), and Sidney Lau. www.equipd.me

About

JW Notes Theocratic Notes

This app helps users take organized, effective notes for religious meetings and personal study. It integrates Bible verses directly into notes and provides access to event programs. Notes are synced across devices and available offline.

Highlights
  • Integrated Bible verses
  • Convention programs
  • Organized note categories
  • Multi-device sync
  • Offline access
  • Available in 70+ languages
Features
Read full description

JW Notes is the ideal app for taking theocratic notes simply, neatly, and effectively. Designed to accompany you during meetings, conventions, circuit assemblies, and personal study, JW Notes combines practicality with advanced tools to make every study moment more organized, productive, and engaging. With JW Notes, you can create theocratic notes that are always accessible, synced across devices, and integrated with Bible references and content inspired by the JW world and jw.org. The app is designed to help you focus on content without distractions, keeping every note well-organized and easy to consult at any time. INTEGRATED BIBLE VERSES Simply type a Bible reference like John 3:16, and the verse will appear directly in your notes. No need to switch apps during meetings or personal study: everything remains smooth, fast, and immediate. This makes JW Notes perfect for taking notes during public talks, Bible readings, symposiums, and theocratic insights. CONVENTION PROGRAMS AND THEOCRATIC EVENTS Access ready-to-use convention programs and major theocratic events within the app. Each talk, symposium, or video has a dedicated space to add notes neatly and immediately. This way, you can better follow each part of the program and easily find your notes even after a long time. ORGANIZED THEOCRATIC NOTES Create custom categories for: * meetings * conventions * assemblies * personal study * JW programs * Bible notes * personal research * Bible study Quickly find all your theocratic notes thanks to an organized and intuitive system. Keep your favorite topics separate and easily consult the most important notes whenever you want. MULTI-DEVICE SYNC Your JW notes are always available on the web, smartphone, and tablet, automatically synced in real-time. Everything stays updated and accessible wherever you are. JW Notes also works offline: write during a convention or a JW assembly even with a weak network, and everything syncs automatically as soon as you're back online. AVAILABLE IN OVER 70 LANGUAGES Use JW Notes in your preferred language with a fully translated interface optimized for JW users worldwide. WHY CHOOSE JW NOTES * Perfect for meetings, conventions, and theocratic assemblies * Bible verses integrated into notes * Convention programs always available * Advanced organization of JW notes * Automatic sync across devices * Fast, modern, and intuitive interface * Ideal for personal study and theocratic notes * Quick access to the most important content * Optimized experience for JW events * Tools designed for practical note-taking JW Notes is the digital notebook designed for those who want to enhance every meeting, convention, and theocratic event. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SoundBox Remote4 screens
JW Notes Theocratic Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SoundBox Remote at none against JW Notes Theocratic Notes's 10. SoundBox Remote also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and iOS requirement (8.1 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. JW Notes Theocratic Notes sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.29 per month. SoundBox Remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SoundBox Remote holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 21 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SoundBox Remote ships an update every 9 days, JW Notes Theocratic Notes weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SoundBox Remote versus JW Notes Theocratic Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoundBox RemoteJW Notes Theocratic Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (17 ratings) — better4.8 (21 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1721 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.1 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperiMatt SolutionsDanilo Coviello

Customer experience

SoundBox Remote

All ratings17 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

JW Notes Theocratic Notes

All ratings21 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SoundBox Remote

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

JW Notes Theocratic Notes

Subscriptions10
  • Donation 1 Monthly$0.291 Month
  • Donation 2 Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Donation 1 Yearly$2.991 Year
Show 7 more
  • Donation 3 Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Donation 2 Yearly$8.991 Year
  • Donation 4 Monthly$8.991 Month
  • Donation 5 Monthly$17.991 Month
  • Donation 3 Yearly$44.991 Year
  • Donation 4 Yearly$89.991 Year
  • Donation 5 Yearly$179.991 Year

Questions

Is SoundBox Remote free?
SoundBox Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is JW Notes Theocratic Notes free?
JW Notes Theocratic Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SoundBox Remote or JW Notes Theocratic Notes?
SoundBox Remote is rated higher. SoundBox Remote averages 5.0 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while JW Notes Theocratic Notes averages 4.8 from 21 ratings.
Do SoundBox Remote or JW Notes Theocratic Notes have ads?
Neither SoundBox Remote nor JW Notes Theocratic Notes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SoundBox Remote or JW Notes Theocratic Notes?
SoundBox Remote ships an update every 9 days, and JW Notes Theocratic Notes weekly. Most recently, SoundBox Remote was updated on October 15, 2026 and JW Notes Theocratic Notes on October 20, 2026.

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