Realm vs Tithe.ly: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Realm
Modern church management system from ACS Technologies with integrated giving, groups, accounting, and a polished mobile app.
Tithe.ly
8.0(2,800 reviews)
Church giving platform with free ChMS, online donations, church app, website builder, and streaming tools for modern churches.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Realm | Tithe.ly |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Mid-sized churches wanting ChMS with integrated fund accounting | Churches where online giving is the primary technology need |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $80/mo | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
Pros & Cons
Realm
Pros
- Integrated church accounting eliminates need for separate QuickBooks or financial software
- Realm Connect app creates social-media-style community engagement between services
- 45+ years of church expertise means financial reporting and compliance are rock-solid
- Migration path from legacy ACS products is well-documented and supported
- Fund accounting handles designated giving, restricted funds, and denominational reporting
Cons
- Accounting module adds complexity — overkill for churches that just need basic giving tracking
- Interface is improved but still not as polished as Planning Center
- Pricing at $80-$300/month is mid-to-high range for the features offered
- Learning curve for the accounting features requires some bookkeeping knowledge
- Customer support quality varies — some users report slow response times
Tithe.ly
Pros
- Free ChMS is genuinely usable — not a stripped-down demo or trial
- Giving platform supports text-to-give, online, kiosk, and recurring donations
- Integrated ecosystem means giving, ChMS, app, and website all work together
- Transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30) are competitive with industry standard
- Modern interface that younger church staff appreciate
Cons
- Free ChMS is strategically tied to Tithe.ly Giving — vendor lock-in risk
- Advanced features (app, website, streaming) add up to $199+/month total
- Giving transaction fees take 2.9% + $0.30 from every donation
- Worship planning lacks the depth of Planning Center Services
- ChMS reporting is less customizable than Realm or Planning Center
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Realm | subscription | $80/mo |
| Tithe.ly | freemium | Free0 |
Our Verdict
Choose Realm if...
Mid-sized churches wanting ChMS with integrated fund accounting
Choose Tithe.ly if...
Churches where online giving is the primary technology need
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.