Softwr

Church · head to head

Bible Gateway vs Text In Church

Bible Gateway logo

Bible Gateway

Church

Free online Bible access with multiple translations and reading tools

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Text In Church logo

Text In Church

Church

SMS-based giving and engagement for churches

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bible Gateway study Bibles, commentaries and dictionaries all require Plus at $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year; Text In Church text volume is the binding limit: 500 texts per month on Basic, 1,500 on Pro and 2,500 on Premium
  • They diverge on capability: Bible Gateway covers Multiple Translations, Text In Church covers Text Giving.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bible Gateway and Text In Church actually diverge.

Attributes where Bible Gateway and Text In Church differ
AttributeBible GatewayText In Church
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidSMS, Web
Founded19932009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Church).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bible Gateway

  • Multiple Translations
  • Verse Comparison
  • Search
  • Reading Plans
  • Social Sharing
  • Email Integration
  • Mobile App
  • API Access

Only in Text In Church

  • Text Giving
  • SMS Messaging
  • Keyword-based Giving
  • Real-time Alerts
  • Payment Processing
  • Church Management
  • Analytics
  • Reporting

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bible Gateway

  • Reading and comparing across more than 70 Bible translationsnot Text In Church
  • Personal notes, highlights and bookmarksnot Text In Church
  • Reading plans and daily devotionalsnot Text In Church
  • Study Bibles and commentaries on the Plus subscriptionnot Text In Church
  • Original language work through the NIV Reverse Interlinearnot Text In Church

Text In Church

  • Two-way texting with a congregation and automated guest follow-upnot Bible Gateway
  • Digital connect cards and keyword text-in for visitorsnot Bible Gateway
  • Automated reminder and welcome message workflows for church eventsnot Bible Gateway

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bible Gateway

  • Study Bibles, commentaries and dictionaries all require Plus at $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year
  • The free tier carries advertising, removed only on Plus
  • The free account covers translations, notes and reading plans but no reference works

Text In Church

  • Text volume is the binding limit: 500 texts per month on Basic, 1,500 on Pro and 2,500 on Premium
  • Local phone numbers are capped at 1, 2 and 3 across the three plans
  • Monthly billing costs $37, $67 and $97 against $31, $56 and $81 when paid annually, so monthly is roughly 19% more
  • The calling features are a separate Calling Plus add-on at $10 per month per seat
  • Concierge onboarding starts at $249 as a one-off charge purchased at checkout
  • Churches needing more than 2,500 texts a month have no published plan and must contact support

Pricing, plan by plan

Bible Gateway

Free
  • Free AccountFree
    • Highlight verses
    • Save favorites
    • Take notes
  • Bible Gateway Plus$5/month
    • 70+ trusted Bible study resources
    • Access beside every passage
    • Annual pricing under $5/month

Text In Church

Free
  • Basic$31/month
    • 500 texts per month
    • 1 local phone number
    • Unlimited keywords
  • Pro$56/month
    • 1500 texts per month
    • 2 local phone numbers
    • All Basic features
  • Premium$81/month
    • 2500 texts per month
    • 3 local phone numbers
    • All Basic and Pro features

Which should you pick?

Choose Bible Gateway if

  • You need multiple translations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want verse comparison.
Bible Gateway review

Choose Text In Church if

  • You need text giving.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on SMS, Web.
  • You also want sms messaging.
Text In Church review

Questions people ask

Is Bible Gateway or Text In Church better?
Neither clearly leads. Bible Gateway starts at Free and Text In Church at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bible Gateway or Text In Church?
Bible Gateway starts at Free and Text In Church at Free.
Does Bible Gateway or Text In Church run on more platforms?
Bible Gateway runs on Web, IOS, Android. Text In Church runs on SMS, Web.
Can I use Bible Gateway for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bible Gateway best used for?
Bible Gateway is most often used for reading and comparing across more than 70 bible translations, personal notes, highlights and bookmarks, reading plans and daily devotionals, study bibles and commentaries on the plus subscription. Of those, reading and comparing across more than 70 bible translations and personal notes, highlights and bookmarks are not what Text In Church is typically brought in for.
What can Bible Gateway do that Text In Church cannot?
Bible Gateway covers Multiple Translations, Verse Comparison, Search, Reading Plans. Text In Church covers Text Giving, SMS Messaging, Keyword-based Giving, Real-time Alerts. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bible Gateway: How much does Bible Gateway Plus cost?

Less than $5 per month when billed annually; promotional pricing was available through September 14.

Source
Text In Church: How much do you save with annual billing?

Annual billing saves $75 on Basic ($31/month vs $37/month), $136 on Pro ($56/month vs $67/month), and $197 on Premium ($81/month vs $97/month).

Source
Bible Gateway: Is there a free version of Bible Gateway?

Yes, free account available that enables highlighting verses, saving favorites, and taking notes for future reference.

Source
Text In Church: Is there a free trial?

Yes, Text In Church offers a free 30-day trial for all plans with no credit card required. They also provide a 30-day money-back guarantee if unsatisfied.

Source
Text In Church: What is the Calling Plus add-on?

Calling Plus ($10/month per seat) adds automated text replies, digital receptionist features, automated greetings, direct extensions, call forwarding, and smart voicemail capabilities.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Bible Gateway

More on Text In Church

Keep looking

Other head to heads