ConnextConnext vs Realm
The Realm alternative built to reach everyone
Realm, from ACS Technologies, is a church's system of record: online giving, fund accounting, membership, and groups, with messaging bundled in as one module of a much larger suite. Connext doesn't try to be that — it's a dedicated outreach platform that does the communication part far better, with multi-channel reach and automation a management module rarely matches. Most congregations keep Realm for the books and records, and add Connext for the messaging.
Connext vs Realm, feature by feature
| Connext | Realm | |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated number (calls + texts) + email inbox | Varies | |
| Unified inbox (all channels in one thread) | Limited | |
| Two-way replies without exposing your cell | Varies | |
| Voice calls / robocalls | Varies | |
| Voice fallback to landlines / non-texters | ||
| No-code automation rules + webhooks | Limited | |
| Full REST API | Varies | |
| Drag-and-drop email builder | Varies | |
| Giving / accounting / membership records | ||
| SMS polls / surveys | 6 types | Limited |
| Transparent per-message USD pricing | From 1¢/SMS | Suite pricing |
Comparison based on publicly available information and may change. Verify current details with each provider.
Where Connext is stronger
- Communication is the whole product, not a side module of an accounting suite
- Automatic voice fallback reaches members on landlines a messaging module won't
- No-code automation, outbound webhooks, and send-by-SMS-command control
- Transparent per-message pricing instead of bundling into suite fees
- A full REST API to sync contacts with Realm and keep records in one place
When Realm may fit better
- Complete church management: giving, fund accounting, and membership
- A single system of record for the entire congregation
- The wider ACS Technologies ecosystem and support
The bottom line
Realm is irreplaceable as the ledger and membership hub of a church — that isn't what Connext does. But for the outreach itself, Connext's voice reach, unified inbox, and automation outclass a management-suite messaging module. Run them together: Realm for records, Connext for reaching people.
Questions, answered
Should Connext replace Realm?
No. Realm handles giving, accounting, and membership that Connext has no equivalent for. The common pattern is to keep Realm as the system of record and use Connext purely for stronger text, voice, and email outreach.
Can Connext and Realm share the same contacts?
Yes. Connext's REST API lets you sync members and groups, so you can maintain records in Realm and push outreach through Connext without keeping two lists by hand.
Why not just use Realm's built-in messaging?
If occasional email and text to members is all you need, it's there. Connext adds what a bundled module typically lacks: automatic voice calls to non-texters, a unified two-way inbox, automation, and per-message pricing you can see.
See why organizations switch to Connext
One number for text and call, plus email — with every reply in a single inbox.