Textiful

Overview

Textiful turns SMS keywords into a way to collect email addresses and other audience information, then move those contacts into email marketing platforms. It suits churches and organizations that want to capture contacts and follow up by text. Its mix of collection tools and campaign types is useful, but the monthly capture and message caps make plan fit central to the decision.

Key features

Organizations assign a keyword to a phone number, then tailor the messages and prompts people receive when they text in. That creates a direct route from an announcement or in-person interaction to a contact record. Users can export collected data at any time, and integrations include Mailchimp, ConvertKit, HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, AWeber, Campaign Monitor, Constant Contact, Drip, Emma, Infusionsoft by Keap, Salesforce, Simplero, and Sendlane. Zapier extends connections to 1,000+ applications, which can help teams fit collected contacts into existing workflows.

For outreach, Textiful supports bulk SMS broadcasts, MMS image texts, Text to Vote polls, timed drip campaigns, two-way messaging, and audience segmentation. Broadcasts can go out immediately or be scheduled. This range covers both one-off updates and more structured follow-up, though every plan’s outgoing-message quota limits how far a campaign can scale. Message credits never expire on the listed plans.

Church and ministry uses described include gathering information from first-time worshipers, sharing scripture and prayer requests, reminding people about readings and events, sending donation links, and coordinating staff and volunteers. These examples make the product particularly relevant to congregations using text to connect with attendees and teams.

Pricing

Textiful has a free On Demand plan and paid monthly tiers beginning at $19 a month. Account creation is free and does not require a credit card. The free tier includes one keyword on a 10-digit number and lets users buy message credits as needed; it is a low-commitment way to try keyword collection, but it does not include a stated monthly capture or message bundle.

Essential costs $19 a month and includes up to 150 captured emails per month, two keywords on 5-digit numbers, and 350 outgoing text messages. It fits a small operation with modest collection and outreach needs, but the message allowance can become restrictive for frequent broadcasts. Small Business costs $49 a month, raising the caps to 500 captured emails, four keywords, and 1,000 outgoing texts. That added capacity suits organizations with multiple campaigns or a growing audience.

Medium Business costs $184 a month for up to 2,500 captured emails, 10 keywords, and 5,000 outgoing texts. Large Business costs $499 a month for up to 7,500 captured emails, 15 keywords, and 15,000 texts. Corporate costs $849 a month for up to 17,500 captured emails, 25 keywords, and 35,000 texts. These higher tiers are aimed at larger outreach programs, but the substantial price steps make it important to match the included volumes to actual needs. Custom pricing is available for more credits or keywords.

Overage fees depend on the current plan and start at 6 cents per overage credit, so costs can rise beyond the base subscription. The listed tiers specify capture, keyword, and message limits, but no seat allowances. Phone-number compatibility is stated for carriers in the United States and Canada, a meaningful constraint for organizations elsewhere.

Platforms

Textiful is available on the web. Its phone numbers are compatible with carriers in the United States and Canada.

Who it's for

Textiful is a strong fit for churches and other organizations that want to collect contacts through text keywords and run segmented or scheduled SMS follow-up. It is less compelling for organizations outside the supported carrier geography or those whose expected message volume does not fit the tiered quotas and possible overage charges.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Keyword campaigns connect audience interactions with contact capture, and users can export collected data at any time.
• Pros: Broadcasts, MMS, polls, drip campaigns, two-way messaging, and scheduling support several kinds of outreach.
• Pros: Direct email-platform integrations and Zapier provide multiple routes into existing follow-up workflows.
• Cons: Monthly capture and message caps limit throughput, while overage credits can add cost.
• Cons: Carrier compatibility is limited to the United States and Canada.

Alternatives

Churches comparing dedicated communication tools can browse Church Text Messaging Software. Choose Gloo Communications instead if its free allowance of 500 SMS credits and 500 email credits per month, three groups, and one workflow better matches your needs. Shepherding Connections offers a free forever tier for up to five user accounts, but connections are limited and exclude SMS messaging. Vesperbell may suit teams seeking a hard-capped free tier with 100 contacts, 200 monthly text credits, 500 emails, one seat, one phone number, one keyword, and one workflow. Flocknote has a free-for-life Starter tier for churches with 0–40 members, with monthly pricing varying by church size above that range. Amplify Communications is another option for churches seeking a modular selection and a tailored quote. Clearstream may be worth considering if a free trial with 100 credits, 1,000 emails, and one local phone number is preferable before a paid plan. DialMyCalls offers a free church trial for automatic calls to up to 25 members, with a 30-second message once per week. Text In Church is a paid alternative with a trial and monthly or yearly billing options.

Verdict

Textiful is a good choice for churches and organizations that want to turn SMS keywords into contacts and use those contacts for varied, scheduled follow-up. Its integration reach and campaign formats are the main reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere if your audience is outside the United States and Canada, or if your expected volume makes the plan caps and overage costs a poor fit.