Tithe.ly vs Realm: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
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.
Realm
Modern church management system from ACS Technologies with integrated giving, groups, accounting, and a polished mobile app.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Tithe.ly | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Churches where online giving is the primary technology need | Mid-sized churches wanting ChMS with integrated fund accounting |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $80/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 7.4/10 |
Pros & Cons
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
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
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tithe.ly | freemium | Free0 |
| Realm | subscription | $80/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Tithe.ly if...
Churches where online giving is the primary technology need
Choose Realm if...
Mid-sized churches wanting ChMS with integrated fund accounting
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.