Comparison

JW Event Notes vs TheoPad

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

Head to head
About

JW Event Notes

This app helps you organize and review notes for religious events. It allows manual event creation, program importing, and detailed note-taking for each session item. Keep track of themes, speakers, and review questions for later study.

Highlights
  • Create and manage multiple events
  • Organize programs by days, sessions, and items
  • Import programs from app server or local JSON
  • Rich text notes with speaker information
  • Backup and restore event data
  • Sync data across iPhone, iPad, and Mac via iCloud
  • Offline use after program import
Features
Read full description

JW Event Notes is an app designed to help you take, organize, and review notes during assemblies, regional conventions, and other events. With a simple and intuitive structure, you can manually create events, import available programs, import local JSON files, browse the program by days and sessions, write notes for each program item, and keep useful information about themes, speakers, and review questions. The app is made for those who want to follow the program closely and keep their notes well organized for later review. Main features: • Create and manage multiple events • Organize programs by days, sessions, and items • Import programs from the app server • Import programs from local JSON files • Export the program structure as JSON for sharing • Back up every event and note to a file of your own, and restore it on any device • Get a reminder to back up, as often as you choose • See what a program update changes, and what happens to each note, before accepting it • Create and organize review questions • Take personal notes for each program item • Use rich text notes • Record speaker information • Search events by title, theme, or location • Filter events by year and type • Export notes in an organized format • Sync data across iPhone, iPad, and Mac using iCloud • Use the app offline after importing the program • Set notifications for the start of the morning and afternoon sessions There are two different exports, and they are not the same thing. The JSON export includes only the event structure — days, sessions, items, and questions — so that a program can be shared or translated; it never contains your notes. The backup includes everything you have written, and is meant only for you. Your notes are personal. Information is stored on your device and, if you use it, in your iCloud. The app does not collect personal data, does not use analytics, and does not require an extra account. If iCloud is turned off, the app tells you so plainly, so that you can keep a backup of your own instead. Important note: JW Event Notes is an independent app. It is not an official app of the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses and is not associated with, sponsored by, or approved by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania or any related entity. Imported program files are provided only to help with personal organization and may contain inaccuracies.

About

TheoPad

This app is a specialized note-taking tool designed for Jehovah's Witnesses. It offers automatic Bible verse integration, convention program import, and local data storage for privacy. Organize notes with folders, tags, and linking for personal study and ministry.

Highlights
  • Automatic Bible verse integration (NWT)
  • Convention program import
  • Note linking and cross-referencing
  • Focus editor with formatting
  • Folder and tag organization
  • Local data storage for privacy
  • Dark mode and customizable design
Features
Read full description

TheoPad is the specialized, local notes app for Jehovah's Witnesses—designed to provide optimal support for your personal Bible study, meetings, and preaching work. The focus is on what matters most: writing without constantly switching between apps. Here's what TheoPad offers: Automatic Bible Integration (NWT) Simply type Bible verses into your text (e.g., "Matthew 24:14" or "Psalm 23:1-4"). TheoPad automatically recognizes them, links them, and displays the New World Translation verse directly in a preview window. This helps you stay in the flow of writing while studying or preparing for the preaching work. Convention Program Import You can directly import programs for regional or circuit conventions (as RTF or ZIP files). TheoPad automatically creates a structured outline, so you can immediately record your notes for each talk in the right place. Networked Study & Structure - Note Linking: Link your notes together. Ideal for creating cross-references between different study projects or lectures. - Focus Editor: A clear editor with formatting options (bold, italics, lists) for your thoughts, lectures, or comments. Organization Your Way Organize your notes in folders or use tags to quickly find topics. Pin important notes for ministry or meetings for quick access. If you accidentally delete something, the trash keeps your data safe. Your Data Belongs to You (Privacy First) TheoPad stores everything locally on your device. - No Registration, No Tracking: We don't collect any data. - Backup Option: Use manual backup or the encrypted system backup (Google Drive / iCloud) to take your data with you when switching devices. Customizable Design Use dark mode for relaxed reading during meetings or customize the app's accent color to suit your personal taste. IMPORTANT: Setup After Installation For copyright reasons, TheoPad does not include pre-installed Bible texts. To enable automatic detection, you must import the Bible file from jw.org once. This is explained simply in the app and can be done in just a few steps. Once the import is complete, TheoPad works completely offline. Legal Notice: TheoPad is a private project by a single developer and is not officially affiliated with jw.org or the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.

Screenshots

JW Event Notes4 screens
TheoPad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: TheoPad at 15.0 against JW Event Notes's 17.6. 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for JW Event Notes against 5.0 for TheoPad. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

JW Event Notes ships an update weekly, TheoPad every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
JW Event Notes versus TheoPad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJW Event NotesTheoPad
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPedro CostaMicha Andreas Zergiebel

In-app purchases

None

JW Event Notes

No in-app purchases

None

TheoPad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is JW Event Notes free?
JW Event Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TheoPad free?
TheoPad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, JW Event Notes or TheoPad?
JW Event Notes and TheoPad are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do JW Event Notes or TheoPad have ads?
Neither JW Event Notes nor TheoPad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, JW Event Notes or TheoPad?
JW Event Notes ships an update weekly, and TheoPad every 4 days. Most recently, JW Event Notes was updated on October 31, 2026 and TheoPad on October 31, 2026.

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