Comparison

ConnectNetwork by GTL vs Bnft

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Create and manage accounts
  • Make payments and deposits
  • Send messages, photos, and videos
  • Walk-In-Retail cash payment option
  • Manage inmate communication credits
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • Real-time balance checks
  • Transaction history
  • Card status updates
  • Order replacement cards
  • Store locator
  • WIC item scanner
  • Push notifications
Read full description

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

ConnectNetwork by GTL4 screens
Bnft4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
ConnectNetwork by GTL versus Bnft: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterConnectNetwork by GTLBnft
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (325 ratings)4.8 (40K ratings) — better
Positive reviews5.0% of reviews25.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings32540K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#129 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB14 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperGlobal Tel Link CorporationSolutran, Inc.

Customer experience

ConnectNetwork by GTL

All ratings41 ratings
Positive65.9%
Neutral4.9%
Negative29.3%
Written reviews282 reviews
Positive5.0%
Neutral6.0%
Negative89.0%

Bnft

All ratings37,502 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral1.8%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews159 reviews
Positive25.8%
Neutral13.8%
Negative60.4%

User reviews

ConnectNetwork by GTL

From 325 App Store ratings

What 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 ratings

What 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

None

ConnectNetwork by GTL

No in-app purchases

None

Bnft

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ConnectNetwork by GTL free?
ConnectNetwork by GTL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Bnft free?
Bnft is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ConnectNetwork by GTL or Bnft?
Bnft is rated higher. ConnectNetwork by GTL averages 2.2 out of 5 from 325 ratings, while Bnft averages 4.8 from 40K ratings.
Do ConnectNetwork by GTL or Bnft have ads?
ConnectNetwork by GTL shows ads; Bnft does not.
Which is updated more often, ConnectNetwork by GTL or Bnft?
ConnectNetwork by GTL ships an update every 3 months, and Bnft every 3 months. Most recently, ConnectNetwork by GTL was updated on November 1, 2026 and Bnft on November 5, 2026.

Other comparisons