Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - All-in-one church management suite for people management, worship planning, giving, events, and check-ins.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - Simple and intuitive church management software for member tracking, events, giving, and communication.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable comprehensive church admin tool covering attendance, contributions, events, and volunteer scheduling.
- 4#4: Tithely - Church giving platform with integrated management for people, events, and engagement tools.
- 5#5: Subsplash - Digital platform for church apps, websites, giving, and content management to boost engagement.
- 6#6: Church Community Builder - Engagement-driven church management system for groups, volunteers, events, and next steps tracking.
- 7#7: Rock RMS - Flexible, scalable church management and CRM software with custom workflows and reporting.
- 8#8: MinistryPlatform - Powerful church database for large churches handling people, security, events, and finances.
- 9#9: CDM+ - Church accounting and administration software with fund tracking, membership, and event management.
- 10#10: PowerChurch Plus - Traditional church software for membership, contributions, attendance, and basic administrative tasks.
These solutions were ranked based on a rigorous evaluation of core features, user-friendliness, technical robustness, and value, balancing functionality with accessibility to support churches of varying sizes and operational styles.
Comparison Table
Managing church operations effectively relies on tailored admin software, and this comparison table explores top tools like Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, ChurchTrac, Tithely, and Subsplash. It outlines key features—from scheduling and donation tracking to communication tools—helping readers identify the best fit for their community’s specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center All-in-one church management suite for people management, worship planning, giving, events, and check-ins. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS Simple and intuitive church management software for member tracking, events, giving, and communication. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable comprehensive church admin tool covering attendance, contributions, events, and volunteer scheduling. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Tithely Church giving platform with integrated management for people, events, and engagement tools. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | Subsplash Digital platform for church apps, websites, giving, and content management to boost engagement. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Church Community Builder Engagement-driven church management system for groups, volunteers, events, and next steps tracking. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Rock RMS Flexible, scalable church management and CRM software with custom workflows and reporting. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.7/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 8 | MinistryPlatform Powerful church database for large churches handling people, security, events, and finances. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | CDM+ Church accounting and administration software with fund tracking, membership, and event management. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 10 | PowerChurch Plus Traditional church software for membership, contributions, attendance, and basic administrative tasks. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 6.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
All-in-one church management suite for people management, worship planning, giving, events, and check-ins.
Simple and intuitive church management software for member tracking, events, giving, and communication.
Affordable comprehensive church admin tool covering attendance, contributions, events, and volunteer scheduling.
Church giving platform with integrated management for people, events, and engagement tools.
Digital platform for church apps, websites, giving, and content management to boost engagement.
Engagement-driven church management system for groups, volunteers, events, and next steps tracking.
Flexible, scalable church management and CRM software with custom workflows and reporting.
Powerful church database for large churches handling people, security, events, and finances.
Church accounting and administration software with fund tracking, membership, and event management.
Traditional church software for membership, contributions, attendance, and basic administrative tasks.
Planning Center
specializedAll-in-one church management suite for people management, worship planning, giving, events, and check-ins.
Integrated worship service planning with real-time collaboration, drag-and-drop rearrangements, and built-in media libraries including chords and resources.
Planning Center is a comprehensive, cloud-based suite of church management tools designed specifically for churches, offering modules like People (CRM), Services (worship planning), Check-Ins, Groups, Registrations, Giving, and Publishing. It streamlines administrative tasks from member database management and event planning to volunteer scheduling and online giving. The platform's modular design allows churches to start small and scale by adding apps as needed, with seamless integration across all tools.
Pros
- Seamless integration across all modules for a unified workflow
- Intuitive interface with mobile apps for on-the-go access
- Robust worship planning tools including chord charts and rehearsal resources
Cons
- Pricing adds up with multiple modules for larger churches
- Steeper learning curve for fully utilizing advanced features
- Limited offline functionality
Best For
Medium to large churches seeking an all-in-one, scalable solution for people management, service planning, and engagement.
Pricing
Modular pricing starts with People free for small churches; additional apps from $19-$99/month, billed per organization with volume discounts.
Breeze ChMS
specializedSimple and intuitive church management software for member tracking, events, giving, and communication.
One-click child check-in with security labels, parental verification, and real-time family grouping
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software that simplifies administrative tasks for churches by centralizing member data, online giving, event registration, and child check-ins. It provides tools for worship planning, group management, communication via email/SMS, and basic reporting, all accessible via web and mobile apps. Designed for ease of use, Breeze emphasizes quick setup and minimal training, making it ideal for volunteer-led teams.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Strong integration of core church functions like giving and check-ins
- Responsive customer support and frequent updates
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting options
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to enterprise competitors
- Pricing scales quickly for larger congregations
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking a straightforward, affordable all-in-one solution without needing IT expertise.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month (billed annually) for up to 100 people, scaling to $199+/month for larger churches; free trial available, no contracts.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable comprehensive church admin tool covering attendance, contributions, events, and volunteer scheduling.
Unlimited administrators and users at no extra cost, perfect for volunteer-heavy churches
ChurchTrac is an affordable, web-based church management software tailored for small to medium-sized congregations, offering tools for member database management, attendance tracking, event scheduling, online giving, and basic accounting. It includes features like check-in systems, worship planning, communication tools, and an online directory to streamline church administration. The platform prioritizes simplicity and unlimited user access, making it ideal for volunteer-led teams without complex IT needs.
Pros
- Highly affordable with unlimited admins and users
- Intuitive, straightforward interface easy for non-tech users
- Strong worship planning and event tools
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality
- Fewer third-party integrations than larger competitors
Best For
Small to medium churches seeking a simple, budget-friendly solution without needing enterprise-level features.
Pricing
Essentials plan at $37/month (billed annually), Premium at $97/month; includes free trial and no user limits.
Tithely
specializedChurch giving platform with integrated management for people, events, and engagement tools.
Text-to-Give, allowing instant donations via SMS for unprecedented donor convenience and response rates
Tithely is a cloud-based church management platform focused on simplifying online giving, member engagement, and administrative tasks for churches of all sizes. It provides tools for seamless digital donations via text-to-give, custom mobile apps, people database management, event planning, kids check-ins, and church websites. Overall, it empowers church leaders to foster community connection and streamline operations in a mobile-first environment.
Pros
- Pioneering text-to-give and multiple giving options boost donor participation significantly
- User-friendly interface with strong mobile app support for on-the-go management
- Comprehensive integrations including custom apps, websites, and third-party tools
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30) on all giving can add up for high-volume churches
- Advanced CMS features like detailed reporting require higher-tier plans
- Limited customization in lower plans compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Mid-sized to growing churches prioritizing digital giving and mobile engagement over complex enterprise admin needs.
Pricing
Free basic giving (with transaction fees); paid plans start at $19/mo (Starter) up to $199+/mo (Growth/Plus), plus 1.5-2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Subsplash
specializedDigital platform for church apps, websites, giving, and content management to boost engagement.
Custom native mobile apps that deliver a professional, branded experience without needing in-house developers.
Subsplash is an all-in-one church management and engagement platform that provides custom mobile apps, websites, online giving, event management, and member communication tools. It enables church admins to manage people databases, groups, check-ins, and media streaming while fostering digital connections with congregants. The software emphasizes mobile-first experiences and analytics to drive attendance and generosity.
Pros
- Custom-branded native mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Integrated online giving with low processing fees and recurring donations
- Comprehensive engagement tools including messaging, events, and analytics
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small churches
- Limited native accounting or payroll features
- Advanced customizations often require support team assistance
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches seeking robust digital engagement and custom mobile apps to connect with tech-savvy congregations.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on church size and features; typically $200–$1,000+ per month for full platform including apps and giving.
Church Community Builder
specializedEngagement-driven church management system for groups, volunteers, events, and next steps tracking.
Advanced Groups system with automated leader assignments, attendance tracking, and curriculum resources
Church Community Builder (CCB) is a cloud-based church management software designed to streamline administrative tasks for churches of all sizes. It offers a centralized people database, event registration, online giving, attendance check-in, small group management, and communication tools. The platform emphasizes building community through features like volunteer coordination and mobile accessibility, helping church staff focus on ministry rather than paperwork.
Pros
- Robust people database and relationship tracking
- Excellent small groups and discipleship tools
- Reliable self-service check-in kiosks and mobile app
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Pricing scales quickly with congregation size
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
Best For
Mid-sized churches focused on small group ministry and community building who need integrated people management.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for up to 200 people (Essentials plan), with Pro ($199/month up to 500) and Enterprise (custom) tiers; per-active-record pricing applies.
Rock RMS
enterpriseFlexible, scalable church management and CRM software with custom workflows and reporting.
Advanced family check-in kiosks with security tags, facial recognition, and touchless options
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management system (ChMS) that provides comprehensive tools for check-ins, giving, groups, events, volunteer management, and communication. Built on a flexible platform with Lava templating for deep customization, it supports multi-campus churches and integrates with mobile apps for families and staff. While powerful for data-driven operations, it demands technical expertise for setup and maintenance.
Pros
- Completely free open-source core software
- Extremely customizable with Lava templating
- Robust check-in and volunteer scheduling tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Self-hosting requires IT knowledge or paid services
- Interface can feel clunky and dated
Best For
Tech-savvy church IT teams or larger congregations needing a highly customizable, cost-free ChMS.
Pricing
Free open-source software; optional paid hosting/support from $99/month.
MinistryPlatform
enterprisePowerful church database for large churches handling people, security, events, and finances.
Process Engine for building custom automated workflows and relational data queries
MinistryPlatform is a robust church management software (ChMS) that centralizes people management, event registration, volunteer coordination, online giving, child check-in, and worship planning in a single relational database. It emphasizes customization through dashboards, workflows, and reporting tools to support data-driven ministry decisions. Designed for scalability, it serves churches from small congregations to multi-campus organizations with mobile apps and API integrations.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including advanced reporting, custom workflows, and volunteer management
- Scalable for multi-site churches with strong data integration and mobile accessibility
- Powerful relational database for detailed people tracking and segmentation
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface and customization options
- User interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Pricing can be expensive for very small churches without tiered discounts
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches or multi-campus ministries needing deep customization, reporting, and scalability.
Pricing
Custom quote based on church size and modules; typically starts at $150-$300/month for small to mid-sized churches, billed annually.
CDM+
specializedChurch accounting and administration software with fund tracking, membership, and event management.
Fully integrated single-database architecture across all modules for seamless data flow without silos
CDM+ is a comprehensive, modular church management software suite from CDM Digital, designed to handle membership tracking, contributions, accounting, attendance, events, facilities, and communication for churches of various sizes. It operates primarily as a Windows-based desktop application with optional cloud hosting, emphasizing data security and customizable reporting. With decades of development, it provides robust backend functionality for administrative tasks while supporting multi-campus setups.
Pros
- Highly integrated accounting and financial reporting
- Modular structure for scalable customization
- Strong data security and backup features
Cons
- Outdated desktop interface with steep learning curve
- Limited mobile accessibility compared to cloud-native rivals
- Pricing adds up for full modular suite
Best For
Mid-sized churches needing robust financial and reporting tools who are comfortable with desktop software.
Pricing
Modular annual subscriptions starting at $295 per module (e.g., People or Money), with full suites often $1,500–$5,000/year depending on church size and modules.
PowerChurch Plus
specializedTraditional church software for membership, contributions, attendance, and basic administrative tasks.
Perpetual desktop license with lifetime free updates, eliminating recurring costs
PowerChurch Plus is a longstanding church management software offering desktop and online versions for handling membership tracking, contributions, attendance, events, scheduling, and accounting. It provides robust reporting tools and financial management tailored for churches of various sizes. The software emphasizes affordability and comprehensive administrative functions without requiring ongoing subscriptions for its core desktop edition.
Pros
- One-time purchase model offers excellent long-term value
- Strong accounting and financial reporting capabilities
- Comprehensive member database with pictorial directories
Cons
- Dated user interface with a steeper learning curve
- Limited modern integrations and mobile app functionality
- Desktop version lacks seamless cloud syncing for multi-site use
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking cost-effective, feature-rich software without recurring fees.
Pricing
One-time desktop license starts at $295 (Basic, 1 user) up to $995 (Premium, unlimited users); PowerChurch Online subscription from $29/month.
Conclusion
While each of the reviewed tools offers value, Planning Center shines as the top choice, boasting a comprehensive all-in-one suite that handles people management, worship planning, giving, events, and check-ins seamlessly. Breeze ChMS stands out for its intuitive design, ideal for those prioritizing simplicity, and ChurchTrac impresses as a strong affordable option for broad administrative coverage. Together, they highlight the diverse needs met by modern church admin software.
Take the first step toward streamlining your church operations—explore Planning Center to experience its robust, all-in-one capabilities that make it the clear leader in the space.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison