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Head-to-head · Church Text Messaging Software

Text In Church vs Shepherding Connections

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Shepherding Connections #3 in Church Text Messaging Software 9.0/10 Free plan · paid from $29/mo Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit site

Text In Church leads on 0 checks, Shepherding Connections on 1, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreShepherding Connections · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly Shepherding Connections

Shepherding Connections scores higher on our rubric for church text messaging software: 9.0 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #2.

Shepherding Connections offers free plan; Text In Church doesn't.

Text In Church is the better fit for churches needing deep workflows and ChMS connectivity. Shepherding Connections is the better fit for budget-conscious churches wanting automation.

  • Text In Church fits best

    Churches needing deep workflows and ChMS connectivity

  • Shepherding Connections fits best

    Budget-conscious churches wanting automation

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Side by side

Feature Text In Church 7.0/10 Visit ↗ Shepherding Connections 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.0 9.0
Ranking #2 in Church Text Messaging Software #3 in Church Text Messaging Software
Best for Churches needing deep workflows and ChMS connectivity Budget-conscious churches wanting automation
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published $29/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Compliance 2FA PCI DSS
Integrations 2,000+ integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Text In Church 6/6 · Shepherding Connections 6/6
Two-way messaging ✓ ✓
Scheduled messages ✓ ✓
Recurring messages ✓ ✓
Audience segmentation ✓ ✓
Church software integrations ✓ ✓
Mobile app ✓ ✓
Specs
Included messages 1250 messages/mo Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Two-way texting, inbox replies, workflows, and scheduled messages
  • Integrations with Planning Center, Breeze, Rock RMS, and others
  • Web, iOS, Android, API, and webhooks support
  • Two-way texting, sequences, keyword replies, and scheduled sends
  • Visitor connect pages, segmentation, consent, and opt-out tools
  • Web, iOS, Android, and integrations with church software
Cons
  • No free plan is available
  • Voice broadcasts and advanced permissions require Plus
  • Large Church uses custom credit volumes and volume pricing
  • Free Forever excludes SMS messaging
  • Messaging is limited to United States and Canada numbers
  • Connections is currently in beta
Our verdict

Text In Church is a church communication platform for guest follow-up, member engagement, and ministry coordination. It combines two-way texting, email, calling, automated workflows, digital connect cards, groups, reminders, templates, and…

Read the review →

Shepherding Connections is the SMS-focused application in Shepherding Tools, designed for pastors, elders, outreach teams, and churches managing announcements and follow-up. Its feature set covers SMS announcements, a two-way texting…

Read the review →
  1. Text In ChurchChurch Text Messaging Software 7.0Paid
  2. Shepherding ConnectionsChurch Text Messaging Software 9.0Free plan · paid from $29/mo

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Text In Church — where it wins

    • Two-way texting, inbox replies, workflows, and scheduled messages
    • Integrations with Planning Center, Breeze, Rock RMS, and others
    • Web, iOS, Android, API, and webhooks support

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Voice broadcasts and advanced permissions require Plus
    • Large Church uses custom credit volumes and volume pricing
  • Shepherding Connections — where it wins

    • Two-way texting, sequences, keyword replies, and scheduled sends
    • Visitor connect pages, segmentation, consent, and opt-out tools
    • Web, iOS, Android, and integrations with church software

    Where it doesn't

    • Free Forever excludes SMS messaging
    • Messaging is limited to United States and Canada numbers
    • Connections is currently in beta

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026