ConnectNetwork by GTL vs Bnft
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ConnectNetwork by GTL
This app allows users to manage their accounts, make deposits for various services, and send messages, photos, and videos to incarcerated individuals. It offers a convenient cash payment option and enables communication with loved ones.
- Create and manage accounts
- Make payments and deposits
- Send messages, photos, and videos
- Walk-In-Retail cash payment option
- Manage inmate communication credits
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The ConnectNetwork mobile app provides quick access to our most popular services. Using the app, you can create a ConnectNetwork account, manage your account information, make deposits into various accounts, send messages, photos and videos to your loved ones, take advantage of Walk-In-Retail (Pay by cash) as an alternative to using a credit card. Our features are based on the facility. To find out which features are available to your inmate, please add them to your account. • Create and Manage your ConnectNetwork Account • Make Payments and Deposits for ConnectNetwork services, such as: o AdvancePay Phone (Prepaid Collect) o Trust Fund (Inmate Trust Account) o PIN Debit (Inmate Phone Account) o Debit Link (Inmate Account for Tablet Services) O Walk-In-Retail, a new convenient cash payment method • Messaging (Email) o View your Messaging inbox, send and compose messages, and save drafts o Use your credit or debit card to purchase Message credits o Add a photo or video attachment to your Message o Depending on the facility, send credits to receive a reply
Bnft
Manage your SNAP and WIC benefits securely and easily. Check your real-time balance, view transaction history, update card status, order replacements, and find stores. WIC users can scan items to check approval and benefit availability.
- Real-time balance checks
- Transaction history
- Card status updates
- Order replacement cards
- Store locator
- WIC item scanner
- Push notifications
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NOTE: Currently the app is only available for North Carolina WIC, Illinois WIC and MT SNAP. Bnft has everything you need to manage your EBT benefits securely and simply. As a SNAP and/or WIC cardholder who has Bnft you can: • Instantly get access to your real-time available balance • View up to a year of transaction history • Update your card status • Order a replacement card • Select or change your PIN • Locate a store Bnft allows you to securely manage your benefits at the touch of a button. Easily register with your account information. If you have already registered to mybnft.com then you are all set and ready to go. Simply use your existing username and password to sign in. REAL-TIME, AVAILABLE BALANCE You will have access to check your benefit balance. Bnft will also send you notifications when a deposit is posted to your account and when you are expected to receive your next deposit. CARD AND PIN UPDATES Is your card lost, stolen, or damaged? Bnft has you covered as you can update your card status and order a new replacement card all within the app. SCAN IT! For WIC cardholders, Bnft allows you to scan a food item to determine not only is the item a WIC approved product, it will tell you if you have benefits to purchase the product. FEATURE PRODUCTS As a WIC cardholder you will have access to view feature products at stores within your location based on your current benefits. PUSH NOTIFICATIONS Bnft will send notifications for card status changes, deposit notifications, expected deposit dates, low balance or expiring benefits, and when your PIN is locked due to consecutive incorrect attempts. FIND A STORE THAT ACCEPTS EBT Bnft has a store locator feature which shows you all stores in your area that accept SNAP and/or WIC. Download Bnft to manage your SNAP and/or WIC benefits now!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Bnft at 4.8 against ConnectNetwork by GTL's 2.2. Bnft also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). ConnectNetwork by GTL's advantage is chart position (#129 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Bnft holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bnft has 40K ratings behind it against 325, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 5% of ConnectNetwork by GTL's written reviews are positive against 26% of Bnft's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ConnectNetwork by GTL | Bnft |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.2 (325 ratings) | 4.8 (40K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 5.0% of reviews | 25.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 325 | 40K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #129 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Global Tel Link Corporation | Solutran, Inc. |
Customer experience
ConnectNetwork by GTL
Bnft
User reviews
ConnectNetwork by GTL
From 325 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💻 Easy to use app
- 💰 Affordable communication option
- 🤳 Allows photo/video sharing
Room to improve
- ⚠️ Frequent app crashes
- 🕰️ Slow message delivery
- 🔒 Account login issues
- 💸 Expensive call/message fees
- 🤖 Poor customer service
Bnft
From 40K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Helpful for tracking benefits
- 🔒 Secure login
Room to improve
- 🐛 Login issues after updates
- 🐛 Scanner not working
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and errors
- 🔍 Lack of customer support
Bugs and requests
ConnectNetwork by GTL
Reported bugs
4 issues- App freezes when trying to send messages
- Inconsistent account balance display
- Inability to find/add incarcerated loved ones
- Frequent app crashes after updates
Requested features
4 requests- Add notification system for new messages
- Improve message delivery speed
- Allow account management features (edit profile, delete numbers)
- Reduce communication fees
Bnft
Reported bugs
3 issues- Unable to see login credentials
- Benefits not updating on the 11th
- Incompatible with iOS 14 update
Requested features
3 requests- Add calculator to track remaining benefits
- Include list of approved products
- Implement face recognition login
In-app purchases
ConnectNetwork by GTL
No in-app purchases
Bnft
No in-app purchases









