Realm vs TouchPoint: 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.
TouchPoint
Open-source church management software with free self-hosted option and cloud hosting for tech-savvy churches.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Realm | TouchPoint |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Mid-sized churches wanting ChMS with integrated fund accounting | Churches with developer volunteers who want free, full-featured ChMS |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Open Source |
| Starting Price | $80/mo | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud, self hosted |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 |
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
TouchPoint
Pros
- Genuinely free self-hosted option with full source code on GitHub
- Cloud hosting at $75/month is among the cheapest ChMS options
- Full customization possible with access to source code
- No vendor lock-in — you own your data and can modify the software
- Feature set competes with platforms charging 2-4x more
Cons
- Self-hosting requires .NET developer skills — not for non-technical churches
- Community is smaller than Planning Center or Tithe.ly — less peer support
- Interface design is functional but dated compared to modern ChMS platforms
- Mobile experience is web-based, not a dedicated native app
- Documentation could be more comprehensive for non-developers
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Realm | subscription | $80/mo |
| TouchPoint | open source | Free0 |
Our Verdict
Choose Realm if...
Mid-sized churches wanting ChMS with integrated fund accounting
Choose TouchPoint if...
Churches with developer volunteers who want free, full-featured ChMS
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.