# ELS Hymnbook vs Hymnals 2

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ELS Hymnbook at 100% against Hymnals 2's 0%. ELS Hymnbook also leads on rating (5.0 vs 1.6) and in-app purchases (none vs 49). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hymnals 2 sells 49 one-off in-app purchases. ELS Hymnbook asks for nothing beyond the download.

ELS Hymnbook holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 34 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of ELS Hymnbook's written reviews are positive against 0% of Hymnals 2's.

ELS Hymnbook ships an update every 4 months, Hymnals 2 every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ELS Hymnbook | Hymnals 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (34 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/els-hymnbook/id982201669/reviews)** | [1.6 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hymnals-2/id1669012764/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **34** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 33 MB | 66 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.1** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joseph Gellenbeck](https://appshunter.io/developer/982201667) | [GIA Publications, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/523183665) |

## What reviewers say

### ELS Hymnbook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/els-hymnbook/id982201669)

Access and search a comprehensive collection of hymns. View songs in sheet music or lyrics-only format, with options to browse by topic, author, or composer. Find specific hymns quickly through powerful search capabilities.

**Highlights:** View sheet music, Lyrics only mode, Search by title, lyrics, topic, author, composer, Browse by number, alphabet, topic, Offline access

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Hymnals 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hymnals-2/id1669012764)

Access a vast library of Roman Catholic hymnals on your iPad. Purchase popular editions like Gather and Worship through in-app purchases. Organize service lists, annotate pages, and search hymns with ease.

**Highlights:** Purchase popular hymnal editions, Create and manage service lists, Annotate hymn pages, Search hymns by title or number, Import PDFs, Cloud backup, Listen to audio samples

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

**In-app purchases (49)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Voices Together SAMPLE | Free | one-time |
| Voices Pew | $8.99 | one-time |
| Gather Comprehensive Second | $14.99 | one-time |
| Oramos Cantando - Pew | $15.99 | one-time |
| Lead Me Guide Me - Pew | $15.99 | one-time |
| Gather Third Edition | $15.99 | one-time |
| Worship Fourth Edition | $15.99 | one-time |
| Ritual Song 2 | $17.99 | one-time |
| The Lyric Psalter - Occasions | $19.99 | one-time |
| One Lord, One Faith | $19.99 | one-time |
| Voices Vocal Harmony | $19.99 | one-time |
| Gather Fourth Edition Pew | $20.99 | one-time |
| The Lyric Psalter - Year A | $24.99 | one-time |
| Cry Out with Joy - Year A | $24.99 | one-time |
| Psalms for All Seasons | $24.99 | one-time |
| Gather Fourth Vocal Descant | $24.99 | one-time |
| The Lyric Psalter - Year C | $24.99 | one-time |
| Gather Comprehensive 2nd Choir | $24.99 | one-time |
| The Lyric Psalter - Year B | $24.99 | one-time |
| Devine Office Hymnal | $24.99 | one-time |
| Worship Fourth Edition Choir | $27.99 | one-time |
| Gather Third Edition Choir | $27.99 | one-time |
| Voices Together Pew | $29.99 | one-time |
| Novum - LP 24-25 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Ritual Song 2 Choir | $29.99 | one-time |
| Gather Fourth Choir | $31.99 | one-time |
| Cry Out with Joy - Christmas | $32.99 | one-time |
| Cry Out with Joy - Year C | $32.99 | one-time |
| Cry Out with Joy - Year B | $32.99 | one-time |
| Oramos Cantando Choir | $34.99 | one-time |
| Gelineau Lyric Psalter | $34.99 | one-time |
| Guimont Lectionary Psalms | $34.99 | one-time |
| Gather 4 Lectionary Psalms | $39.99 | one-time |
| Worship Fourth B-flat Instr | $89.99 | one-time |
| Worship Fourth C Instrument | $89.99 | one-time |
| Oramos Cantando - Guitar | $89.99 | one-time |
| Worship Fourth Edition Guitar | $89.99 | one-time |
| Voices Guitar | $99.99 | one-time |
| Gather 3rd Edition B-flat Inst | $109.99 | one-time |
| Ritual Song 2 B-flat | $109.99 | one-time |
| Gather 3rd Edition C Inst | $109.99 | one-time |
| Gather Third Edition Guitar | $114.99 | one-time |
| Gather Fourth Lead Sheet | $119.99 | one-time |
| Ritual Song 2 Keyboard | $119.99 | one-time |
| Worship 4th Edition Keyboard | $119.99 | one-time |
| Gather Fourth Guitar | $119.99 | one-time |
| Gather Third Edition Keyboard | $119.99 | one-time |
| Gather Fourth C Instrument | $139.99 | one-time |
| Gather Fourth Edition Keyboard | $139.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ELS Hymnbook free?

ELS Hymnbook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Hymnals 2 free?

Hymnals 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ELS Hymnbook or Hymnals 2?

ELS Hymnbook is rated higher. ELS Hymnbook averages 5.0 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while Hymnals 2 averages 1.6 from 10 ratings.

### Do ELS Hymnbook or Hymnals 2 have ads?

Neither ELS Hymnbook nor Hymnals 2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ELS Hymnbook or Hymnals 2?

ELS Hymnbook ships an update every 4 months, and Hymnals 2 every 3 months. Most recently, ELS Hymnbook was updated on October 24, 2026 and Hymnals 2 on October 24, 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.*