# Metropolitan Tabernacle vs Return to the Word

The clearest difference is ads: Metropolitan Tabernacle at none against Return to the Word's shown. Metropolitan Tabernacle also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 27 months) and ratings volume (79 vs 3). Return to the Word's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Metropolitan Tabernacle against 5.0 for Return to the Word. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Metropolitan Tabernacle has 79 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Metropolitan Tabernacle ships an update every 5 weeks, Return to the Word every 27 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Metropolitan Tabernacle | Return to the Word |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (79 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metropolitan-tabernacle/id1579345372/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/return-to-the-word/id1591710653/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **79** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 27 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 53 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Metropolitan Tabernacle](https://appshunter.io/developer/1579345374) | [Mark Fontecchio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1554698230) |

## What reviewers say

### Metropolitan Tabernacle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metropolitan-tabernacle/id1579345372)

Access a vast library of sermons from a Reformed Baptist church, available for online and offline playback. Browse by topic or scripture, enjoy live-streaming, and receive notifications. Supports English, Spanish, and Chinese.

**Highlights:** Thousands of sermons, Online and offline playback, Browse by topic and scripture, Live-streaming, Push notifications, Multi-language support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Return to the Word

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/return-to-the-word/id1591710653)

Access Bible teachings, podcasts, and writings from Pastor Mark Fontecchio. This ministry app aims to share God's grace through verse-by-verse teaching.

**Highlights:** Bible teaching, Podcasts, Videos, Written ministry, Verse-by-verse study

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Metropolitan Tabernacle free?

Metropolitan Tabernacle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Return to the Word free?

Return to the Word is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Metropolitan Tabernacle or Return to the Word?

Return to the Word is rated higher. Metropolitan Tabernacle averages 4.9 out of 5 from 79 ratings, while Return to the Word averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Metropolitan Tabernacle or Return to the Word have ads?

Return to the Word shows ads; Metropolitan Tabernacle does not.

### Which is updated more often, Metropolitan Tabernacle or Return to the Word?

Metropolitan Tabernacle ships an update every 5 weeks, and Return to the Word every 27 months. Most recently, Metropolitan Tabernacle was updated on November 3, 2026 and Return to the Word on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*