Gloo Communications vs Textiful

Gloo Communications provides email and text messaging tools for churches and ministries. Teams can send personalized follow-ups to first-time visitors, collect prayer requests in a shared Prayer Inbox, and assign those requests to team members. Keyword-triggered workflows automate message series, while broadcasts reach everyone or selected groups in real time. Messaging Analytics provides insight into message performance, and the service connects with HubSpot, Planning Center, and Mailchimp.

The mobile app supports messaging, prayer requests, personal messages, broadcasts, and push notifications, but it does not let users view group members. Video Messaging and Polls are available with Gloo+. The free plan includes 500 SMS credits and 500 email credits per month, three groups, and one workflow. Gloo+ costs $49.00 per month and includes 5,000 SMS credits and 5,000 email credits each month, unlimited groups and workflows, and three subaccounts. Gloo says it encrypts data in transit and at rest using TLS 1.2+ and AES-256.

Textiful collects email addresses and other audience information through SMS keyword campaigns, then can sync the data to email marketing platforms. Organizations assign a keyword to a phone number, set campaign messages and prompts, and gather responses by text. For churches and ministries, described uses include collecting information from first-time worshipers, sharing scripture and prayer requests, sending reading and event reminders, sharing donation links, and coordinating staff and volunteers.

Messaging options include bulk SMS broadcasts, MMS image texts, Text to Vote polls, and timed drip campaigns. Broadcasts can be sent immediately or scheduled, and collected data can be exported at any time. Listed integrations include Mailchimp, HubSpot, Salesforce, and other email services; Zapier connects Textiful to 1,000+ applications. Its phone numbers are compatible with carriers in the United States and Canada. The web-based service has a free On Demand plan with one keyword on a 10-digit number and credits bought as needed. Paid plans start at $19/mo; Essential includes up to 150 captured emails and 350 outgoing text messages monthly.