Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - All-in-one modular church management software for worship planning, people database, events, check-ins, and online giving.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - Simple and intuitive cloud-based church management system for member tracking, events, giving, and communication.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable all-in-one church software handling attendance, contributions, events, and volunteer management.
- 4#4: Rock RMS - Free open-source church management system with powerful CRM, groups, events, and mobile check-in features.
- 5#5: Subsplash - Digital platform for church apps, online giving, engagement tools, and streamlined church management.
- 6#6: Tithe.ly - Mobile-first church giving and management platform with donor tracking, events, and people management.
- 7#7: PowerChurch Plus - Comprehensive church accounting and management software for members, contributions, and scheduling.
- 8#8: CDM+ - Robust church database software for fund accounting, member management, and event planning.
- 9#9: The City - Church social network platform for member engagement, groups, events, and communication.
- 10#10: Aplos - Cloud accounting software tailored for churches and nonprofits with fund tracking and donor management.
We evaluated these tools based on core features like member management, event planning, giving, and communication, alongside usability, technical robustness, and value to churches and nonprofits.
Comparison Table
This comparison table eases the selection of church administration software by exploring tools like Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, ChurchTrac, Rock RMS, Subsplash, and others. Readers will discover key features, usability, and fit for various church needs, helping identify a solution aligned with their organization’s goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center All-in-one modular church management software for worship planning, people database, events, check-ins, and online giving. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS Simple and intuitive cloud-based church management system for member tracking, events, giving, and communication. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable all-in-one church software handling attendance, contributions, events, and volunteer management. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Rock RMS Free open-source church management system with powerful CRM, groups, events, and mobile check-in features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 5 | Subsplash Digital platform for church apps, online giving, engagement tools, and streamlined church management. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | Tithe.ly Mobile-first church giving and management platform with donor tracking, events, and people management. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 7 | PowerChurch Plus Comprehensive church accounting and management software for members, contributions, and scheduling. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 8 | CDM+ Robust church database software for fund accounting, member management, and event planning. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.9/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | The City Church social network platform for member engagement, groups, events, and communication. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Aplos Cloud accounting software tailored for churches and nonprofits with fund tracking and donor management. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.5/10 |
All-in-one modular church management software for worship planning, people database, events, check-ins, and online giving.
Simple and intuitive cloud-based church management system for member tracking, events, giving, and communication.
Affordable all-in-one church software handling attendance, contributions, events, and volunteer management.
Free open-source church management system with powerful CRM, groups, events, and mobile check-in features.
Digital platform for church apps, online giving, engagement tools, and streamlined church management.
Mobile-first church giving and management platform with donor tracking, events, and people management.
Comprehensive church accounting and management software for members, contributions, and scheduling.
Robust church database software for fund accounting, member management, and event planning.
Church social network platform for member engagement, groups, events, and communication.
Cloud accounting software tailored for churches and nonprofits with fund tracking and donor management.
Planning Center
specializedAll-in-one modular church management software for worship planning, people database, events, check-ins, and online giving.
Real-time worship service planning in Services app with drag-and-drop scheduling, chord charts, and team collaboration
Planning Center is a comprehensive, cloud-based church management software suite tailored for churches of all sizes, offering modular apps like People (church database and CRM), Services (worship planning), Check-Ins, Groups, Giving, Registrations, and more. It streamlines administrative tasks such as member management, event planning, online giving, and volunteer coordination through seamless integration across all tools. The platform emphasizes ease of use with mobile apps and real-time collaboration, enabling churches to focus more on ministry.
Pros
- Seamless integration across all modules for a unified workflow
- Intuitive, modern interface with excellent mobile apps
- Modular pricing allows churches to start small and scale
Cons
- Costs can accumulate quickly when adding multiple services
- Limited advanced reporting and customization compared to enterprise tools
- Occasional performance lags with very large databases
Best For
Growing churches and multi-site ministries needing an all-in-one, integrated platform for administration, planning, and engagement.
Pricing
People app free up to 50 profiles; additional services $19-$195/month per app based on active adults and usage, with volume discounts.
Breeze ChMS
specializedSimple and intuitive cloud-based church management system for member tracking, events, giving, and communication.
Ultra-simple setup and daily usability, enabling churches to launch and manage operations in under 30 minutes.
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software designed to simplify administrative tasks for churches of all sizes. It centralizes people management, online giving, event scheduling, child check-in, attendance tracking, and communication tools in an intuitive platform. With mobile apps for staff and volunteers, it supports seamless operations from anywhere, emphasizing ease over complexity.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with minimal training required
- Affordable, scalable pricing with no long-term contracts
- Reliable mobile app and quick-setup check-in system
Cons
- Reporting and analytics lack depth for advanced users
- No built-in full accounting or payroll features
- Limited customization for very large or multi-campus churches
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches prioritizing simplicity, quick implementation, and cost-effectiveness in church administration.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 100 profiles, with tiers scaling to $632+/month for 2,500+ profiles; 14-day free trial, monthly billing.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable all-in-one church software handling attendance, contributions, events, and volunteer management.
All-inclusive pricing with every feature available on every plan, no upsells or add-ons required
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one church management software that helps churches manage member databases, track attendance and contributions, schedule events, handle online giving, and plan worship services. It provides tools for check-in, small groups, communication, and reporting, all accessible via web and mobile apps. Designed for simplicity, it caters especially to smaller congregations with its straightforward interface and no-add-on pricing model.
Pros
- Highly affordable with no per-user fees or add-ons
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Strong customer support and U.S.-based team
Cons
- User interface feels somewhat dated
- Limited advanced integrations with third-party tools
- Reporting features lack depth for larger churches
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches looking for an affordable, user-friendly solution without needing extensive customizations.
Pricing
Free for <25 households; Essentials $37/mo (up to 50 households), Standard $97/mo (up to 200), Premium $197/mo (unlimited households); annual discounts available.
Rock RMS
specializedFree open-source church management system with powerful CRM, groups, events, and mobile check-in features.
Open-source architecture with Lava templating for unlimited custom workflows and integrations
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management software (ChMS) that provides comprehensive tools for managing people, groups, attendance, events, giving, and communications in churches. It features a robust CRM, mobile check-in kiosks, online giving platforms, and extensive reporting capabilities. The platform's strength lies in its high customizability through a developer-friendly architecture using Lava templating.
Pros
- Completely free open-source core with no user limits
- Highly customizable for unique church workflows
- Comprehensive feature set including check-ins, giving, and mobile apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring technical expertise
- Self-hosting demands server management skills
- Community support can be slower than paid alternatives
Best For
Tech-savvy churches or those with IT staff seeking a fully customizable, cost-free ChMS without usage restrictions.
Pricing
Free open-source edition; optional Rock Cloud hosting starts at $299/month for 1,000 check-ins, scaling up.
Subsplash
specializedDigital platform for church apps, online giving, engagement tools, and streamlined church management.
Fully custom-branded mobile apps with push notifications and personalized content feeds
Subsplash is a comprehensive digital platform tailored for churches, providing custom-branded mobile apps, church websites, live streaming, on-demand media, online giving, and engagement tools like events, groups, and check-ins. It enables churches to manage member interactions, facilitate donations, and deliver content seamlessly across devices. While excelling in digital outreach and connectivity, its church administration capabilities include basic people management, attendance tracking, and group organization.
Pros
- Highly customizable mobile apps that enhance member engagement and retention
- Seamless integration of giving, media, and events in one platform
- Intuitive interface with strong mobile-first design for admins and users
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller churches seeking full admin features
- Limited depth in advanced reporting and financial management compared to dedicated ChMS
- Customization requires some technical setup or support
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches prioritizing digital engagement, mobile apps, and multimedia content delivery over in-depth administrative workflows.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $99/month for Essentials, $299+/month for Pro/Enterprise tiers based on church size, active users, and features like custom apps.
Tithe.ly
specializedMobile-first church giving and management platform with donor tracking, events, and people management.
Seamless text-to-give functionality that allows one-time setup for instant, recurring donations via SMS
Tithe.ly is a cloud-based church management software (ChMS) platform primarily known for its robust online giving tools, allowing churches to accept donations via website, text, app, kiosk, and stock/crypto gifts. It also provides essential administrative features like people database management, event planning, group organization, attendance tracking, volunteer coordination, and basic communication tools. Designed for ease of use, it integrates giving seamlessly with church operations to streamline fundraising and member engagement.
Pros
- Exceptionally user-friendly interface with mobile-first design ideal for non-technical staff
- Powerful and versatile giving options including text-to-give and recurring donations
- Cost-effective with a free tier and transparent processing fees
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise-level ChMS
- Fewer third-party integrations than competitors like Planning Center
- Scalability challenges for very large churches (over 1,000 active members)
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing simple online giving and basic member management without complex needs.
Pricing
Free plan for basic giving and limited ChMS (2.9% + $0.30 processing fee); paid ChMS plans start at $19/month (Essentials) up to $159/month (Enterprise), plus per-transaction fees.
PowerChurch Plus
specializedComprehensive church accounting and management software for members, contributions, and scheduling.
Perpetual license model with free lifetime software updates, eliminating ongoing subscription costs
PowerChurch Plus is a Windows-based, on-premises church management software that provides essential tools for membership tracking, contribution management, attendance records, event scheduling, and basic accounting. Designed for small to medium-sized churches, it offers an all-in-one desktop solution with customizable reports, bulletin creation, and fund accounting without requiring internet connectivity. The software emphasizes affordability and simplicity, making it suitable for non-technical users who prefer a perpetual license over cloud subscriptions.
Pros
- One-time purchase with lifetime free updates provides excellent long-term value
- Comprehensive core features like membership, contributions, and attendance tracking
- Offline functionality ideal for churches with unreliable internet
Cons
- Windows-only desktop app with no native mobile or web access
- Dated user interface lacking modern design and integrations
- Limited scalability for very large churches or multi-campus setups
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking affordable, on-premises software without recurring fees or cloud dependency.
Pricing
One-time fee starting at $289 for single-user license; multi-user network versions from $489, with free lifetime updates.
CDM+
specializedRobust church database software for fund accounting, member management, and event planning.
Advanced fund accounting that seamlessly integrates church-specific financial tracking with membership data
CDM+ is a long-established, on-premise church administration software suite that provides comprehensive tools for membership management, contribution tracking, attendance monitoring, event scheduling, and integrated accounting. Designed specifically for churches, it emphasizes customizable reporting, fund accounting, and data security through local hosting. With modular components, it allows organizations to scale features based on needs while maintaining full control over their data.
Pros
- Powerful fund accounting tailored for church finances
- Highly customizable reports and queries
- Reliable on-premise deployment with strong data ownership
Cons
- Outdated Windows-based interface feels clunky
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Requires IT support for installation and maintenance
Best For
Mid-sized churches needing robust, customizable accounting and reporting in an on-premise environment.
Pricing
Modular perpetual licenses starting at ~$995 per module plus setup fees; annual support ~20% of license cost.
The City
specializedChurch social network platform for member engagement, groups, events, and communication.
Social activity feed that turns the platform into a church-specific social network for seamless member interaction and updates.
The City (thecity.org) is a church management software platform designed to build community through people management, groups, events, check-ins, and online giving. It features a social-network-style interface where members can connect, share updates, and engage via activity feeds, mobile apps, and communication tools. The platform emphasizes relational ministry, helping churches track attendance, manage volunteers, and streamline administrative tasks for better member discipleship.
Pros
- Intuitive social media-like interface fosters strong community engagement
- Robust mobile app for members and leaders
- Affordable pricing with scalable tiers
Cons
- Reporting and analytics are somewhat basic compared to competitors
- Limited advanced accounting or financial tools
- Customer support can be inconsistent for larger churches
Best For
Mid-sized churches focused on relational ministry and member connection rather than heavy administrative or financial management.
Pricing
Free for churches under 75 active participants; paid tiers start at $39/month for 76-250, scaling up to $299+/month for larger churches, billed annually.
Aplos
specializedCloud accounting software tailored for churches and nonprofits with fund tracking and donor management.
Advanced fund accounting that automatically tracks and reports on restricted vs. unrestricted funds
Aplos is a cloud-based accounting and management software tailored for nonprofits and churches, focusing on fund accounting, donor management, and online giving. It automates financial tasks like bank reconciliations, expense tracking, and customizable reporting to ensure compliance with nonprofit standards. While strong in financial oversight, it offers limited tools for broader church administration needs like event scheduling or member engagement.
Pros
- Robust fund accounting ideal for churches with multiple designated funds
- Seamless online giving and donor tracking integrations
- User-friendly cloud interface with strong mobile app support
Cons
- Lacks comprehensive church management features like attendance tracking or volunteer coordination
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced reporting and unlimited users
- Limited customization for non-financial workflows
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing nonprofit-compliant accounting and fundraising over full-spectrum administration.
Pricing
Core plan starts at $59/month (billed annually); Growth at $99/month; Powerhouse at $159/month; custom enterprise pricing available.
Conclusion
When evaluating church administration software, the top performer stands out for its all-in-one design that unifies worship planning, people management, and giving. While Breeze ChMS excels with its user-friendly interface and Breeze ChMS offers strong value with its intuitive tools, the winner leads by integrating modular functionality that adapts to varied church needs. Each reviewed tool provides unique strengths, but the top-ranked software emerges as the most versatile choice for streamlining operations.
Explore the top-ranked tool to elevate your church's efficiency and engagement today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
