Comparison

Journal the Word vs Sermon Keeper

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

Head to head
About

Journal the Word

This app provides a digital space for users to engage with scripture through journaling. It offers built-in reading plans and a scripture lookup tool to facilitate reflection and prayer.

Highlights
  • Digital scripture journaling
  • Built-in reading plans
  • Scripture lookup tool
  • Track reading progress
  • Reflect and pray digitally
Features
Read full description

Journal the Word exists because journaling helps us engage Scripture more deeply. Writing clarifies thought, slows the heart, and creates space to hear from God as we meditate on His Word. For those who may never reach for a paper journal or who want to keep their reflections digitally, this app offers a simple, focused place to do just that. Open your Bible. Open the app. Read. Reflect. Pray. Close it. Live it. Built-In Reading Plans Stay consistent in your time in Scripture with several built-in plans: • F260 (Foundations 260) • 5x5 New Testament • Whole Bible Reading Plan and More! Track your progress and easily journal directly from your daily reading. Scripture Lookup Quickly pull Scripture passages into your journal entries using the built-in Bible lookup tool. Multiple verses can be added to your reflection as you study.

About

Sermon Keeper

Capture sermon moments with one-tap audio recording and note-taking. Get AI-powered transcripts, summaries, and create SOAP study journals from Bible verses. Organize your spiritual insights with folders and export options.

Highlights
  • One-tap sermon recording and note-taking
  • AI-powered transcription and summary
  • SOAP study journal creation from Bible verses
  • Seven Bible translations included
  • Scan Bible verses and slides
  • Organize notes into folders
  • Export notes as PDF or text
Read full description

Sermon Keeper is your companion for every Sunday service. Tap once during the sermon to mark the moment that hit you — Sermon Keeper records the audio and pins your notes to the timeline. After service you get a transcript and a summary that keeps the preacher's own outline. Snap a photo of your open Bible and Sermon Keeper turns the verse into a SOAP study journal (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) you can revisit any day. WHY CHOOSE SERMON KEEPER? - Effortless Recording & Note-Taking: With a single tap, record the sermon while taking notes. Every note keeps the exact moment it was written — tap it later and the recording plays from there. - Transcription & Summary: After the service you get the full transcript, an overview, the preacher's own outline, questions to reflect on, the passages he named, and concrete steps for your week. - Seven Bible Translations Inside the App: KJV, NASB 1995, ESV, NKJV, NIV 1984, WEB and Reina-Valera 1909. Type a reference like "John 3:16" and the verse appears in a card — no internet needed. When the sermon is read from a translation other than yours, the verses list shows the one you heard. - Scan Scripture → SOAP Journal: Point your camera at any open Bible page, pick a verse, and Sermon Keeper generates a SOAP study entry — Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. - Scan the Slide: Point the camera at the screen at the front of the room and the words land in your notes. No typing in the dark. - Reminders That Fit Your Week: One question at the start sets a nudge an hour before your service and a recap of that sermon midweek. Two a week, nothing more. - Keep It Organized: Group recordings and study cards into folders with an icon of your own. Export notes as PDF, plain text, or email. - Bilingual Support: Full English and Spanish interface for a global Christian community. Every month you get one free creation — a recording, an uploaded audio file, or a Scan Scripture card. Upgrade to Sermon Keeper Plus for as many as you like. We'd love to hear your feedback! Contact us at hello@sermonkeeper.app Subscription Details: - Sermon Keeper Plus, monthly — $6.99 per month - Sermon Keeper Plus, yearly — $64.99 per year, with a free trial - Payment is charged to your Apple ID. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel in Settings ▸ Apple ID ▸ Subscriptions. Privacy Policy: https://www.notion.so/Privacy-Policy-for-Sermon-Keeper-2f8320d6655580508eadd4bebcddca68 Terms of Use: https://www.notion.so/Terms-of-Service-for-Sermon-Keeper-2f8320d6655580218e2ed97fc4d4061b

Screenshots

Journal the Word4 screens
Sermon Keeper4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Journal the Word at none against Sermon Keeper's 3. Journal the Word also leads on device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, rating, 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. Sermon Keeper sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Journal the Word asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Journal the Word against 5.0 for Sermon Keeper. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Journal the Word ships an update monthly, Sermon Keeper every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Journal the Word versus Sermon Keeper: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJournal the WordSermon Keeper
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJonah Elijah ChittyArtur Subbotkin

In-app purchases

None

Journal the Word

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Sermon Keeper

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$64.991 Year
  • Yearly (7-day trial)7 Days trial$64.991 Year

Questions

Is Journal the Word free?
Journal the Word is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sermon Keeper free?
Sermon Keeper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Journal the Word or Sermon Keeper?
Journal the Word and Sermon Keeper are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Journal the Word or Sermon Keeper have ads?
Neither Journal the Word nor Sermon Keeper shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Journal the Word or Sermon Keeper?
Journal the Word ships an update monthly, and Sermon Keeper every 3 weeks. Most recently, Journal the Word was updated on October 15, 2026 and Sermon Keeper on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons