GettingOut vs ConnectNetwork
GettingOut leads on video; ConnectNetwork leads on phone and geographic reach.
Quick Verdict: GettingOut vs ConnectNetwork
A quick summary to help you decide before reading the full comparison.
- Choose GettingOut if your facility uses it and video visitation is your primary communication method.
- Choose ConnectNetwork if your facility uses it, or if phone calls are your main priority.
- Both platforms are operated by the same parent company (ViaPath) but serve different facilities under separate contracts.
- The platform your specific facility uses is almost always the deciding factor — check the jail's website or call the facility to confirm.
- If your loved one is transferred to a federal or state facility, ConnectNetwork has wider cross-system coverage.
Comparison Snapshot
A high-level summary across the four most important categories.
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ConnectNetwork
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GettingOut vs ConnectNetwork: Full Comparison
GettingOut (by Telmate) and ConnectNetwork (by GTL) are both products of ViaPath Technologies — the same parent company — but they operate as separate platforms under different contracts with different facilities. This means the comparison is not about choosing between competing companies, but about understanding which platform your specific facility uses. At some county jails, GettingOut holds the communication contract. At others, ConnectNetwork or GTL serves the same function. Knowing which platform applies to your facility is what matters most.
Beyond the facility-contract question, there are genuine product differences worth understanding. GettingOut has built its reputation primarily around video visitation at county jails — its app and scheduling interface for remote video visits is widely regarded as one of the most user-friendly in the market. ConnectNetwork's strength is phone calling, and its geographic reach extends across more facility types including federal institutions and some state prisons that GettingOut does not typically serve.
For families whose loved one is in a county jail, this comparison is highly relevant because many county facilities use one or the other but not both. Understanding what each platform does well helps set expectations for the communication experience and ensures you choose the right platform to invest time in setting up.
Feature Scores
Scores are based on service availability, quality, and user experience across both platforms.
| Category | GettingOut | ConnectNetwork |
|---|---|---|
| Messaging | 7 | 7 |
| Video Visits | 9 | 8 |
| Photo Sharing | 7 | 2 |
| Phone Calls | 8 | 9 |
| Money Transfer | 8 | 8 |
| Coverage | 8 | 9 |
| Ease of Use | 8 | 7 |
| Overall | 7.9 | 7.1 |
Service Comparison
How GettingOut and ConnectNetwork compare across every major communication service.
Messaging
GettingOut offers electronic messaging at participating county jails. Delivered digitally to facility kiosks. Not available at all GettingOut facilities.
ConnectNetwork messaging is available at select facilities but is not its primary service. Availability varies significantly by facility contract.
Neither platform is primarily known for messaging. Both are stronger in video and phone respectively.
Video Visits
GettingOut's video visitation is its flagship service and is widely regarded as the best-in-class for county jails. Remote visits are easy to schedule and work well on mobile devices.
ConnectNetwork/GTL also offers video at participating facilities. The experience is functional but GettingOut is generally considered more polished for this use case.
GettingOut's video platform is a differentiated strength and the main reason many families prefer it.
Photo Sharing
GettingOut supports photo delivery at participating county facilities, either digitally or via print depending on the facility setup.
ConnectNetwork does not offer a digital photo delivery service.
GettingOut supports photos where available; ConnectNetwork does not.
Phone Calls
GettingOut manages phone calling at county jail facilities under Telmate contracts. Easy to fund through the app.
Phone calling is ConnectNetwork's primary service across its entire network. The widest phone coverage of any provider.
ConnectNetwork/GTL is the market leader for inmate phone services by volume.
Money Transfer
GettingOut handles commissary deposits at county jail facilities through its app or website.
ConnectNetwork processes money transfers at facilities across its network, including federal institutions.
Both handle money transfers adequately. ConnectNetwork covers more facility types.
Pros and Cons
An honest look at the strengths and limitations of both GettingOut and ConnectNetwork.
GettingOut
- Best-in-class video visitation platform for county jails.
- Largest county jail network at 2,200+ facilities.
- Highly rated mobile app, particularly for video scheduling.
- Covers phone, video, messaging, and money from one account at most facilities.
- Primarily a county jail platform — limited state and no federal coverage.
- If loved one transfers to state or federal facility, account becomes unusable.
- Video pricing can be significant for daily visits.
- Messaging not universally available at all GettingOut county facilities.
ConnectNetwork
- Widest geographic coverage, including federal, state, and county facilities.
- Phone calling is its strongest service — available almost everywhere.
- Account carries value if loved one moves between different facility types.
- FCC-regulated interstate call rates.
- No digital photo service.
- Video experience less polished than GettingOut.
- Messaging availability varies widely by facility.
- App slightly less intuitive than GettingOut for video scheduling.
Which Is Better For...
Choosing the right platform depends on your specific situation.
Video visits with county jail inmates
GettingOut's video platform is the top choice for county jail families wanting to do remote video visits.
Phone calls from county jails
ConnectNetwork/GTL is the market leader for inmate phone services and has the broadest phone coverage.
Families needing cross-system coverage (county to federal or state)
ConnectNetwork serves federal, state, and county facilities, so accounts may retain value if the inmate is transferred.
Sending photos to county jail inmates
GettingOut supports photo delivery at participating facilities. ConnectNetwork does not offer digital photo services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from families comparing GettingOut and ConnectNetwork.
Are GettingOut and ConnectNetwork operated by the same company?
How do I know which platform my county jail uses?
Can I use GettingOut for state prisons?
Is video visitation really better on GettingOut than ConnectNetwork?
What happens to my GettingOut account if my loved one is sentenced and transferred?
Related Comparisons
Explore more side-by-side provider comparisons.
JPay vs GettingOut
JPay is right for state prisons; GettingOut is right for county jails. Facility type decides.
State vs Multi-SystemJPay vs ConnectNetwork
Depends on your facility type — JPay leads on messaging, ConnectNetwork leads on phone and coverage.
Federal FocusedCorrLinks vs ConnectNetwork
ConnectNetwork provides more services. For federal families, both platforms are typically needed.
Ready to Get Started?
Review both provider pages for full details on features, facility coverage, and pricing before creating your account.