I've been at this software review thing for a few years now. Having worked with a large portion of what's out there in the world of Bible study software, I know it can be a daunting task purchasing and figuring out Bible software. So before getting to the review, I've listed some principles to think about and questions to ask before making your Bible software investment.
Since available titles number in the thousands, I won't spend time in this review discussing who has what. But make sure you go over the list of resources! In the review I sometimes refer to the number of titles available. That does not necessarily mean the number of titles that are unlocked when you purchase a given package. Furthermore, many companies include the same titles (many more of which are public domain). And at least in the author's opinion, you can quickly find yourself paying for resources that don't offer the substance you'd hoped for. I've discovered that viewing available reference works is a good place to start. Are there current titles? Are they scholarly? Are these resources you would use if you owned them in print form?
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Second, what kind of learning curve is required before the software will be of benefit? Think of this kind of like the home gym gathering dust in your garage. You started with good intentions, but let's face it, extra time and energy are resources you don't have a lot of in ministry. So don't spend a lot of money on software you won't take the time to learn how to use. What kind of help do these companies provide? Do they have video tutorials? Seminars? Technical support? Do they offer beneficial features that beginners can use without reading a 600-page manual?
Third, the mantra: "You get what you pay for" holds true even with Bible software. It's usually better to wait and save — trust me on this one. You remember how much the good resources cost in seminary, right? Well, they're still expensive, even in electronic format. Don't wind up with a CD full of books published before you were born unless you're intentionally buying the collected works of a dead theologian.
Fourth, try out a friend's copy. By this I don't mean install his copy on your computer — that's called theft, even if we'd rather refer to it as CD burning. Spend a little time using the software in the presence of someone who knows how. If you end up purchasing the software, you just received your first free private lesson, and your friend will probably be so excited to show you, that he'll offer to provide ongoing free technical support.
Finally, keep reading. The information below is intended to highlight features. This discussion is by no means comprehensive. I've included information that I hope will be helpful to preachers in the task of preaching. And only the latest editions are included in this year's review. For access to past reviews, you can visit our website at www.preaching.com.