Administration
| Database Management | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | Verified First, Vanco, Constant Contact | Verified First, Vanco, Constant Contact, Go Method, Nelco |
| APIs | Limited | Verified First, Vanco, Go Method, Nelco |
| User Rights | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Roles and responsibilities | ||
| User-based security |
| Profiles | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Groups | ||
| Attendance | ||
| Giving | ||
| Event Registration | ||
| Sacraments | ||
| Notes | Comments | |
| Prayer Requests | Connections | Notes with Tag |
| Volunteer Teams | Groups | |
| User edits their profile |
| Background Checks | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Order and run background checks | ||
| User security | ||
| Send applicant request to complete | ||
| Background check approval | ||
| Store background check details | ||
| Background check renewal reminders | ||
| Search and report on background checks |
| Calendar | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Manage church calendar | ||
| Publish calendar |
| Pathways | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Create workflows | ||
| In-sequence steps | ||
| Out-of-sequence steps | ||
| Assign steps to people | ||
| Step approval by assignee | ||
| Step reminders | ||
| Report on progress | ||
| Complete steps |
| Accounting | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| General Ledger | ||
| Accounts Payable | ||
| Payroll | ||
| Accounts Receivable | ||
| Fixed Assets | ||
| Purchase Orders |
Check out See the Difference – Financials for a deeper accounting comparison.
| Reports | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-the-box reports | ||
| Queries | ||
| Dashboards | ||
| Change Log |
| Analytics | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Mission | MissionInsite | MissionInsite |
| Giving | MissionInsite | MissionInsite |
| Engagement |
Children & Youth Ministries
| Profiles | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Designate as child | ||
| List parents |
| Background Checks | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Order and run background checks | ||
| User security | ||
| Send applicant request to complete | ||
| Background check approval | ||
| Store background check details | ||
| Background check renewal reminders | ||
| Search and report on background checks |
| Check-In | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Customize kiosk designs | Basic | Basic |
| Check in children | ||
| Barcode check-in | ||
| Print name tags | ||
| Print labels (allergies, family notes) | ||
| Take attendance |
| Classes | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Place children in groups | ||
| Group promotion |
| Parental Communication | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Native; Constant Contact | Native; Constant Contact | |
| Text | Limited | Constant Contact SMS |
| Newsfeed | Groups |
Congregant Care
| Features | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Pastoral care app | ||
| Private notes | ||
| Assign and track follow-up | ||
| Prayer requests | Group Newsfeeds |
Education & Discipleship
| Groups | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Assign group leader | ||
| Interactive groups | ||
| Find groups online | ||
| Join groups online | ||
| Group directory | ||
| Message group members | Email/Text | |
| Members message leader | ||
| Group calendar | ||
| Group events | ||
| Take attendance | ||
| Promote group participants |
| Assimilation | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| New visitor follow-up | ||
| Connection cards |
Events
| Facilities Management | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Tie rooms to buildings | ||
| Book rooms | ||
| Manage room conflicts | ||
| Room reservation approval process | ||
| Book equipment | ||
| View booked reservations |
| Volunteer Management | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Capture skills and interests | ||
| Capture preferences and conflicts | ||
| Roles and teams | Positions | |
| Volunteer qualifications | ||
| Run background checks | ||
| Schedule volunteers | ||
| Recurring volunteer schedule | ||
| Communicate schedules | Constant Contact | |
| Post volunteer opportunities | ||
| Self-signup | ||
| Admin approve/decline requests | ||
| Message volunteers | ||
| Find replacements | ||
| Serving reminders | ||
| Volunteer check-in | Limited |
| Calendar | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Post an external calendar |
| Communication | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Native; Constant Contact | Native; Constant Contact | |
| Text | Limited | Constant Contact SMS |
| Newsfeed |
| Registration/RSVP | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Group events | ||
| Registration (paid or free) | ||
| Discounts | ||
| Partial payments | ||
| RSVP to free events | ||
| Recurring events | ||
| Custom questions during registration |
| Check-In | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Customize kiosk designs | Basic | Basic |
| Multi-family member check-in | ||
| Check in guests | ||
| Barcode check-in | ||
| Add family member records | ||
| Print name tags | ||
| Print labels (allergies, family notes) | ||
| Take attendance |
| Post-Event | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Email attendees | Registrants Only | |
| Automated event attendee follow-up | ||
| Attendance reports | Group Events only |
Media & Communications
| Communication | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Native; Constant Contact | Native; Constant Contact | |
| Text | Limited | Constant Contact SMS |
| Newsfeed | ||
| Mobile app | Church Life | Realm Connect, Realm Shepherd |
| Media | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Website | Extend, Refresh Websites | Refresh Websites |
Missions & Outreach
| Missions | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Profile Integration | Go Method | |
| Giving Integration | Go Method/Vanco | |
| Fundraising | ||
| Background checks | ||
| Community Analytics | MissionInsite | MissionInsite |
| Applications | Go Method | |
| Participant Management | Go Method | |
| Trip Management | Go Method | |
| Reporting | Go Method |
Stewardship
| ACS | Realm | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Vanco | Vanco |
| Giving Methods | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Abundant, Pay Plus | |
| Mobile app | Abundant, Church Life | |
| Text | Abundant, Pay Plus | |
| Kiosk | ||
| ACH | Abundant, Pay Plus* | * |
| Cash | Abundant, Pay Plus | |
| Check | Abundant, Pay Plus |
*ACH not available in Canada.
| Gift Type | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| One-time gift | ||
| Recurring gift | ||
| Non-cash gift |
| Features | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Admin gift entry | ||
| Customizable giving forms | Abundant | |
| Donor covers processing fees | Abundant | |
| Self-service contribution statements | Abundant, Pay Plus | |
| View giving history | Abundant, Pay Plus | |
| Dashboards | ||
| Reporting | ||
| Pledges/Campaigns | Pay Plus |
Worship Planning
| Volunteer Management | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Capture skills and interests | ||
| Capture preferences and conflicts | ||
| Roles and teams | Positions | |
| Volunteer qualifications | ||
| Run background checks | ||
| Schedule volunteers | ||
| Recurring volunteer schedule | ||
| Communicate schedules | Constant Contact | |
| Post volunteer opportunities | ||
| Self-signup | ||
| Admin approve/decline requests | ||
| Message volunteers | ||
| Find replacements | ||
| Serving reminders | ||
| Volunteer check-in | Limited |
| Day of Worship | ACS | Realm |
|---|---|---|
| Worship Planning | Planning Center Integration | |
| Manual attendance | ||
| Geotracking |