8 Best Group Text Apps for Churches in 2024 (Compared)
Posted by Tim Smith in Churches and Religious on April 16, 2024
As a church leader, communicating with your congregation is essential to having a growing church with well-informed members. Without proper interaction and communication systems, your members will likely be left in the dark about important church events. Also, building a healthy church community and maintaining relationships will undoubtedly be difficult without a good system in place.
Group text apps are a wonderful, cost-effective solution for communicating with your congregation and building an interactive audience. Here, we’ll share the eight best group text apps for churches and why you should include them in your church operations. Let’s begin.
Best Group Text Apps for Churches
1. DialMyCalls
DialMyCalls is an all-inclusive mass texting service, perfect for communication in churches and other religious organizations. Used by thousands of churches in the US and Canada, it is a preferred choice for bridging communication gaps at a low cost.
DialMyCalls’ superior SMS, MMS, and bulk calling features helps you send notifications to your members in no time. Moreover, its software and interface are easy to understand and use, ensuring minimal difficulties when sending texts.
With DialMyCalls, you can send automated calls, texts, event reminders, and donation requests. Its automated texts are also ideal for improving prayer chains, which are important for member engagement and interaction. Even better, religious organizations enjoy a 10% discount on all packages and fantastic customer service.
DialMyCalls costs $9.99 monthly, but you can create custom plans that suit your needs or purchase additional credits as required. We’ll look into some of its features below.
Features
- Contact Management
- Two-Way Texting
- AccurateAMD
- Chrome Extension and Mobile Versions
- Incoming Text Message Analytics
- SMS Templates
Contact Management
As one of the best group text apps for churches, DialMyCalls makes it easier for you to import and manage your contacts. It provides three options for entering contact information—Manually Add, Quick Add, and Import List. The Import List option lets you import existing contact files rather than manually inputting members’ details.
Additionally, you can arrange your contacts into groups to better target and reach them. For example, arranging youths in one group allows you to construct and send more fun, informal messages to your younger congregants.
Two-Way Texting
Communication is more effective when your recipient gives you feedback. DialMyCalls’ two-way texting offers you this advantage and lets your members respond to your texts. With this feature, you can have one-on-one, personalized conversations with them instead of generic one-way texts alone.
Moreover, you can utilize polls or surveys to get your members’ opinions on sermons and church programs. They can also send improvement tips to help you interact better with them.
AccurateAMD
Besides church texting, DialMyCalls lets you send automated calls to your members. Its answering machine detection feature, AccurateAMD, detects and differentiates answering machines and voicemails as opposed to live answers.
Knowing when a person responds to your phone calls live is essential for follow-up purposes, especially for first-timers. With this knowledge, you can channel your outreach efforts better, improve relationships with members, and boost attendance rates.
Chrome Extension and Mobile Versions
Flexibility is vital with any software, and DialMyCalls offers this with its Chrome extension and mobile apps. Using the Chrome extension, you get access to all DialMyCalls’ features and abilities right from your browser. This creates ease and convenience and eliminates the need to visit the website whenever you need to use the software.
Similarly, the mobile versions are available for download on Android and iOS. So, you can choose from a range of access options, depending on what’s suitable for you at any given time.
Incoming Text Message Analytics
With DialMyCalls, you can easily view all your two-way texts, whether incoming or outgoing, for future assessments and record keeping. In addition to one-way outbound texts, you also get records of two-way messages to and from your vanity numbers and other marketing analytics like opt-in and unsubscriber rates. Thus, this allows you to track your text outreaches and redirect or restructure your messages.
SMS Templates
The best mass texting services are affordable and help you save time. Templates are a feature for time conservation, as no one wants to type out the same message severally. With DialMyCalls, you can save a message as a template and reuse it whenever desired. Unlike regular messages deleted after 90 days, templates are permanent unless you delete them.
In addition, DialMyCalls also provides you with free templates and message samples for diverse scenarios on its website. Structuring your text messages after these samples ensures you have adequately composed, articulate texts.
2. EZTexting
EZTexting is among the best group text apps for churches, used by over 210,000 religious organizations and boasting several reviews and awards.
EZTexing’s dedicated short codes help members identify your organization with allotted five or six-digit numbers. Moreover, you can enjoy lower fees, unlimited keywords, and enhanced speed and deliverability.
Its group texting feature is perfect for mass texting, letting you send personalized messages to several people simultaneously while allowing individual responses. Other tools include MMS messaging, text forwarding, and their SMS-compliant SafeSTOP feature to allow members to opt out of your messages.
EZTexting offers four plans, the most affordable being the Launch plan at $20, and includes a free trial.
Features
- Contact Management
- Text Forwarding
- Group and Two-Way Texting
- Design Tools and MMS Library
- Integrations
3. Tithe.ly
Tithe.ly’s donation management characteristics are superior for requesting and managing your church’s donations and gifts. Whether they come in cash, check, or any other form, Tithe.ly is well-equipped to organize and keep records of monetary gifts. It provides up to six platforms for donations, reports for viewing your church’s financials, and a convenient Text-to-give option that allows members to text their donations to you.
In addition to money management, Tithe.ly has an excellent texting service that lets you create automated texts and emails. With its automated campaigns feature, you can make specific keywords and add a member’s contact details to select groups or lists.
It also provides a website and app creation tool and lets you coordinate event registration and check-ins, all from a single platform. Moreover, Tithe.ly is highly affordable, with no monthly charges and less than 1% transaction rates.
Features
- Cash and Check Gift Recording
- Online Giving
- Automated Texts
- Quickbooks Integration
4. SimpleTexting
SimpleTexting is widely acclaimed for its spam protection and compliance features. Without compliance measures in place, members will likely lose interest and trust in your messages, as no one enjoys being bombarded with texts.
SimpleTexting prevents this with compliance tools with which a member can grant permission to receive texts or opt-out. Additionally, this software allows you to register your organization as an approved sender with carriers to improve sending speed and trust.
Its two-way texting and personalization features are ideal for fostering relationships and community. You can send polls, follow members up, recruit, and organize volunteers, all through text. Moreover, its MMS capabilities let you send photos to members to encourage interaction and engagement.
SimpleTexting’s Local plan costs $39/month, while its toll-free plan costs $29/month. Additionally, you’re entitled to a 30-day money-back guarantee after signing up.
Features
- Two-Way Messaging
- MMS Messaging
- Free SMS Replies
- Analytics and Reporting
5. Text In Church
Text In Church excels at helping you build relationships with your church members and guests. Its features are built for enhanced communication and connections, increasing growth and attendance rates.
Text In Church’s messaging platform helps you plan events, coordinate prayer requests, follow members up, and organize volunteers. With two-way texting, you can send prayer point request texts or registration links and receive immediate responses and RSVPs.
Additionally, Text In Church lets you plan visits through its website and provides digital connect cards through keywords and QR codes. It also includes essential integrations for easier church management, such as Zapier, Mailchimp, and Church Community Builder.
Text In Church has three plans, with its Basic plan priced at $31/month. On signing up, you also get a 14-day free trial.
Features
- Two-Way Texting
- Automated Workflows
- Digital Connect Cards
- Integrations
6. PastorsLine
PastorsLine is a good church texting solution if you need a service with global coverage. Its international reach includes the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Switzerland. In addition, you can reach several other countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Chile, and Israel, by request.
PastorsLine offers personalized, two-way texting to send alerts, group texts, and reminders or conduct polls. It goes further with its evergreen campaigns, which let you create standard messages for occasions like Christmas and Easter.
Its autoreply features allow automatic responses, and you can automate your grouping with mobile keywords. Other exciting features include smart syncing, connect cards, and a text bot for data capture.
Signing up wins you a 30-day free trial period with one US phone number and 500 messages. But for further use, the cost ranges between $15-$70 depending on the number of messages and phone numbers you need.
Features
- Unlimited Keywords
- Unlimited Integrations
- Two-way Texting
- Dedicated Numbers
- Integrations
7. Clearstream
Clearstream’s supportive customer service ensures that you get maximum experience and use out of its texting service. Catering to every church’s size, whether a new plant or a mega church, it assures you of a premium, functional church communication app.
In addition to basic mass texting, Clearstream lets you record and share video texts and polls. This can help spark interest in your members and raise engagement rates. Moreover, you can schedule follow-ups to retain new members and create QR codes or keywords that help members opt in to receive messages.
It also offers dedicated short codes and several easy-to-setup and use integrations, including Slack, Mailchimp, Zapier, and Simple. Signing up gives you a 30-day free trial, but new church plants can use this software at no cost for up to a year.
Features
- Mass Texting and Video Texting
- Live Polls
- Text-to-Join Keywords
- Automated Workflows
8. Flocknote
Flocknote is another great group texting app for churches that combines church engagement and online giving in one platform. With over 10,000 users, Flocknote is experienced in member management and has proven to be a trusty service for many church leaders.
Regardless of your plan, members can donate through text, social media, QR codes, or your website. Still, it doesn’t end here, as you can manage campaigns, fundraising goals, and even tax reporting from this platform.
Flocknote makes member management easy, providing channels to arrange and organize contact information and track attendance. Of course, you can send and receive texts in seconds, as communication is quick and seamless with this service.
Setting up or transferring your data from other church apps is notably easy, and signing up is completely free. For further use, request a demo through the website.
Features
- Unlimited Email and Texting
- Online Giving
- Event Sign-Ups and Registration
- Contact Management
How to Choose the Best Group Texting App for Your Church Members
There are several options and alternatives for group texting and church communication, each promising advantages and benefits. Considering the number of prospects, you must be able to identify and select the best option for your church members.
Failure to do this can leave you with an inadequate solution for your church that will not produce the desired results. Below, we’ll look at critical criteria when choosing the best church apps for your members, so keep reading.
1. Features
Selecting just any group texting app reduces your chances of successful communication with members. Before making a choice, note the specific needs and requirements of your religious organization and what problems you aim to solve with a texting app.
Next, check the general features each service offers and the specific features under the plans if need be. Ensure your choice has features that comfortably meet your church’s needs and provide ideal solutions.
2. Ease of Use
Software that is difficult to set up and use is unlikely to please your members or other church staff. You don’t want a service that will create difficulties or cause frustrations down the line. So, check that it is simple, has an attractive but straightforward interface, and is not complex at any stage.
Also, supportive, available customer service is essential, as you may run into difficulty despite the simplicity of the software. Make inquiries about customer service times and check reviews to get insight into other customers’ experiences.
3. Flexibility
A good church app should be as flexible as possible, permitting multi-user access across different operating systems. Check for mobile versions or browser integrations and ensure you can allow multiple users to a single account without raising security issues or concerns. This way, you’re not forced to depend on a single device, as different people can use the service on various devices.
4. Pricing
Cost-effective, affordable solutions are a must; you shouldn’t have to spend a huge amount of money on a texting app. Carefully review the pricing plans on all your preferences and compare them with your budget. Ideally, your final choice should fit within your budget while providing you with the features you need.
| Platform | Ease of Use | Customer Support | Other Features | Pricing | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DialMyCalls | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| SimpleTexting | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| Clearstream | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| Tithe.ly | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| Text In Church | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Flocknote | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| PastorsLine | 3.8 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| EZTexting | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Start Sending Church Texts Today With DialMyCalls
Managing a church and its members is no easy task and requires constant communication, building, and nurturing relationships. However, with the best group texting apps for churches like DialMyCalls, relating with your members, passing information across to them, and getting feedback is much easier.
So, give DialMyCalls a shot and let us handle your group texting needs. Our platform guarantees effective mass texting with seamless two-way texting, web and mobile versions, and excellent contact management.
That’s why you should sign up with DialMyCalls today to bolster your communication and engagement with your members in no time!
