Quick Overview
- 1#1: ParishSOFT - Integrated management software for parishes and schools handling membership, finance, attendance, grading, and reporting.
- 2#2: CDM+ - Comprehensive database for churches and schools managing contributions, accounting, attendance, scheduling, and student records.
- 3#3: PowerChurch Plus - Affordable church and school management software with features for member tracking, giving, events, and class scheduling.
- 4#4: ACS Technologies - Cloud-based solutions for church management and school administration including people database, finances, and student information.
- 5#5: FACTS Management - Student information system for faith-based schools with grading, attendance, billing, and parent portals.
- 6#6: Breeze ChMS - Simple church management system for people profiles, online giving, events, and check-ins suitable for small schools.
- 7#7: Planning Center - Modular church platform for worship planning, people management, giving, registrations, and group tracking.
- 8#8: Gradelink - Web-based school management for grades, attendance, scheduling, and communication used by many private religious schools.
- 9#9: Blackbaud - Enterprise platform for school and nonprofit management including enrollment, fundraising, academics, and donor relations.
- 10#10: Veracross - Integrated ERP for independent schools managing admissions, academics, billing, and advancement.
Tools were ranked based on robust feature sets, user experience, reliability, and value, prioritizing those that effectively integrate core functions like finance, attendance, and communication for churches and schools.
Comparison Table
This comparison table outlines leading church and school management software, including ParishSOFT, CDM+, and PowerChurch Plus, to assist in selecting tools that align with organizational needs. Readers will discover key features, usability insights, and how each solution caters to specific administrative tasks, enabling informed decision-making.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ParishSOFT Integrated management software for parishes and schools handling membership, finance, attendance, grading, and reporting. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 2 | CDM+ Comprehensive database for churches and schools managing contributions, accounting, attendance, scheduling, and student records. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | PowerChurch Plus Affordable church and school management software with features for member tracking, giving, events, and class scheduling. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 4 | ACS Technologies Cloud-based solutions for church management and school administration including people database, finances, and student information. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | FACTS Management Student information system for faith-based schools with grading, attendance, billing, and parent portals. | enterprise | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | Breeze ChMS Simple church management system for people profiles, online giving, events, and check-ins suitable for small schools. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 7 | Planning Center Modular church platform for worship planning, people management, giving, registrations, and group tracking. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Gradelink Web-based school management for grades, attendance, scheduling, and communication used by many private religious schools. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Blackbaud Enterprise platform for school and nonprofit management including enrollment, fundraising, academics, and donor relations. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Veracross Integrated ERP for independent schools managing admissions, academics, billing, and advancement. | enterprise | 7.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.1/10 | 6.3/10 |
Integrated management software for parishes and schools handling membership, finance, attendance, grading, and reporting.
Comprehensive database for churches and schools managing contributions, accounting, attendance, scheduling, and student records.
Affordable church and school management software with features for member tracking, giving, events, and class scheduling.
Cloud-based solutions for church management and school administration including people database, finances, and student information.
Student information system for faith-based schools with grading, attendance, billing, and parent portals.
Simple church management system for people profiles, online giving, events, and check-ins suitable for small schools.
Modular church platform for worship planning, people management, giving, registrations, and group tracking.
Web-based school management for grades, attendance, scheduling, and communication used by many private religious schools.
Enterprise platform for school and nonprofit management including enrollment, fundraising, academics, and donor relations.
Integrated ERP for independent schools managing admissions, academics, billing, and advancement.
ParishSOFT
specializedIntegrated management software for parishes and schools handling membership, finance, attendance, grading, and reporting.
Integrated parish-school database that synchronizes family, student, and sacramental data in real-time
ParishSOFT is a comprehensive web-based management solution tailored for Catholic parishes and their attached schools, offering integrated tools for membership tracking, sacramental records, financial management, and student information systems. It streamlines administrative tasks like family directories, online giving, attendance, grading, and reporting across both church and school operations. With strong diocesan-level oversight features, it ensures compliance and data security for religious organizations.
Pros
- Seamless integration between parish and school modules for unified data management
- Robust sacramental tracking and contribution tools tailored for Catholic dioceses
- Comprehensive reporting and diocesan oversight capabilities
Cons
- Dated user interface that may feel clunky compared to modern SaaS tools
- Steep learning curve for non-technical staff
- Limited customization options for non-Catholic denominations
Best For
Catholic parishes with integrated schools seeking a diocesan-compliant, all-in-one management platform.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing based on parish size and modules, typically $500–$2,500 per month with implementation fees.
CDM+
specializedComprehensive database for churches and schools managing contributions, accounting, attendance, scheduling, and student records.
Advanced fund accounting system that seamlessly integrates church donations, budgeting, and school fees with real-time financial reporting.
CDM+ is a comprehensive church and school management software suite tailored for religious organizations, offering integrated modules for membership tracking, financial accounting, contribution management, worship planning, event scheduling, and full school administration including student records, grading, and attendance. It supports both cloud-hosted and on-premise deployments, enabling churches to scale from small congregations to large institutions with attached schools. The platform emphasizes customizable reporting and data querying to meet diverse administrative needs.
Pros
- All-in-one solution covering church operations, finances, and school management
- Powerful customizable reporting and ad-hoc querying tools
- Robust fund accounting compliant with nonprofit standards
- Flexible deployment options including cloud and on-premise
Cons
- Dated user interface that may feel clunky compared to modern competitors
- Steep learning curve requiring training for optimal use
- Higher pricing for smaller churches without modular scaling flexibility
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches with integrated K-12 schools needing deep financial controls and customizable administrative tools.
Pricing
Modular subscription pricing starting at approximately $150/month per module, scaling with congregation size and selected features; annual contracts with support included.
PowerChurch Plus
specializedAffordable church and school management software with features for member tracking, giving, events, and class scheduling.
Lifetime free software updates and upgrades with a single purchase
PowerChurch Plus is a Windows-based, on-premises church and school management software that provides comprehensive tools for membership tracking, contribution management, attendance records, event scheduling, accounting, and basic school functions like grading and student billing. It supports churches in volunteer coordination, worship planning, and custom reporting while offering integrated modules for small school operations. Designed for perpetual licensing, it prioritizes data security and ownership without cloud dependencies.
Pros
- One-time purchase with lifetime free updates, eliminating recurring fees
- Robust reporting and customization options for church finances and attendance
- Integrated school module for grading, scheduling, and billing
Cons
- Dated graphical user interface that feels outdated compared to modern SaaS alternatives
- Windows-only compatibility, no support for Mac, Linux, or robust mobile apps
- Limited cloud integration and real-time collaboration features
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches with attached schools seeking affordable, self-hosted software without subscriptions.
Pricing
One-time licenses from $495 (Basic) to $1,495 (Platinum); optional annual support ~$200-$400.
ACS Technologies
enterpriseCloud-based solutions for church management and school administration including people database, finances, and student information.
Fully integrated church-school database that unifies member, student, and financial data across both entities
ACS Technologies offers Realm, a comprehensive cloud-based management platform designed for churches and associated schools, handling membership tracking, financial accounting, event management, attendance, and student information systems. It provides integrated tools for contributions, online giving, communication, and administrative workflows to streamline operations. With mobile accessibility and customizable reporting, it's built for organizations seeking robust, all-in-one solutions.
Pros
- Extensive feature set covering church finances, memberships, events, and school admin in one platform
- Strong accounting and reporting capabilities with audit-ready financials
- Dedicated support and training resources tailored for faith-based organizations
Cons
- Higher pricing that may not suit small churches or schools
- Interface feels dated compared to more modern competitors
- Customization can require technical expertise or additional fees
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches and Christian schools needing integrated financial and administrative management.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on congregation/school size; typically $200–$1,000+/month for cloud subscriptions, with setup fees.
FACTS Management
enterpriseStudent information system for faith-based schools with grading, attendance, billing, and parent portals.
Advanced tuition management system with automated billing, payment plans, and integrated financial aid processing
FACTS Management is a comprehensive student information system (SIS) tailored for private K-12 schools, including faith-based and church-affiliated institutions. It handles enrollment, attendance, grading, scheduling, tuition billing, financial management, and parent communications through an integrated portal. The platform supports church-school hybrids by streamlining administrative and financial operations while offering tools for advancement and fundraising.
Pros
- Powerful tuition management with flexible billing and financial aid tools
- Comprehensive SIS covering academics, attendance, and parent portals
- Strong support for faith-based schools with customized reporting
Cons
- Dated user interface that can feel clunky
- Custom pricing lacks transparency and can be costly for smaller churches
- Limited native features for pure church management like event planning or member engagement
Best For
Mid-sized faith-based K-12 schools seeking robust financial and academic management in one platform.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on school size and modules; typically $10-20 per student/month, quote required.
Breeze ChMS
specializedSimple church management system for people profiles, online giving, events, and check-ins suitable for small schools.
One-click child check-in with parental notifications and security labels
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software that simplifies administrative tasks for churches, including contact management, event registration, online giving, volunteer coordination, and child check-in. It provides essential tools for tracking attendance, small groups, and basic reporting, making it suitable for church operations with some overlap for school needs like check-in and events. While not a full-featured school management system, its intuitive design supports hybrid church-school environments efficiently.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Flat-rate pricing with unlimited users and storage
- Strong mobile app and child check-in for safety
Cons
- Limited advanced school features like grading or academic tracking
- Reporting capabilities lack depth for complex analytics
- Customization options are basic compared to enterprise solutions
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches with integrated preschool or basic school programs seeking simple, affordable management.
Pricing
Flat $72/month for unlimited users, profiles, and features; free trial available.
Planning Center
specializedModular church platform for worship planning, people management, giving, registrations, and group tracking.
Advanced worship planning with built-in chord charts, rearrangements, and direct volunteer scheduling integration
Planning Center is a modular cloud-based suite primarily designed for church management, offering tools for worship planning, volunteer scheduling, people database management, check-ins, groups, giving, and registrations. It excels in integrating these features seamlessly for churches with dynamic music and event ministries. While it supports some school-like functions such as check-ins for children's programs and event registrations, it lacks comprehensive academic tools like gradebooks, lesson planning, or full student information systems.
Pros
- Seamless integration across worship planning, volunteer management, and CRM
- Intuitive, mobile-friendly interface with real-time collaboration
- Robust check-ins and groups features adaptable for kids ministries or small school groups
Cons
- Limited dedicated school management tools (no grade tracking or academic calendars)
- Modular pricing can become expensive for multiple apps
- Less emphasis on administrative reporting for schools compared to pure SIS platforms
Best For
Churches with strong worship programs that also oversee children's ministries or small faith-based schools needing event and volunteer coordination.
Pricing
Modular subscriptions starting free for People (up to 75 profiles), with other apps like Services at $14/month base + $5 per additional service plan; scales to $50-500+/month based on size and modules.
Gradelink
specializedWeb-based school management for grades, attendance, scheduling, and communication used by many private religious schools.
Ultra-fast, browser-based gradebook with instant syncing and mobile-friendly parent/student portals
Gradelink is a cloud-based student information system (SIS) tailored for K-12 schools, including parochial and church-affiliated institutions, providing tools for grading, attendance tracking, scheduling, admissions, and tuition billing. It features parent and student portals for real-time communication and access to academic information. While strong in school administration, it offers limited native support for broader church management needs like member directories, event planning, or donation tracking.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal training required
- Comprehensive academic tools like real-time grading and attendance
- Affordable pricing scaled to school size
Cons
- Lacks dedicated church management features such as congregant tracking or giving modules
- Limited customization and reporting flexibility
- No native mobile app for administrators
Best For
Small to mid-sized church-operated K-12 schools prioritizing simple student information and academic management over full church operations.
Pricing
Custom quote based on enrollment; typically $1-$2 per student/month with no long-term contracts or setup fees.
Blackbaud
enterpriseEnterprise platform for school and nonprofit management including enrollment, fundraising, academics, and donor relations.
Advanced integrated fundraising and CRM platform with sophisticated donor stewardship tools
Blackbaud provides comprehensive management software for churches and schools, featuring CRM, fundraising, financial management, and constituent engagement tools. It supports everything from membership tracking and event planning in churches to enrollment, grading, and tuition billing in schools. The platform emphasizes scalability and integration, making it suitable for nonprofit organizations seeking enterprise-level solutions.
Pros
- Robust fundraising and donor management capabilities
- Seamless integration of CRM, accounting, and reporting
- Highly scalable for mid-to-large organizations
Cons
- Expensive pricing with custom quotes
- Steep learning curve and complex implementation
- Overkill for very small churches or schools
Best For
Mid-to-large churches and independent schools needing an all-in-one enterprise solution for fundraising and operations.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription pricing, typically starting at $5,000+ annually depending on organization size and modules.
Veracross
enterpriseIntegrated ERP for independent schools managing admissions, academics, billing, and advancement.
Unified single-database platform that integrates all modules without redundant data entry
Veracross is a comprehensive, cloud-based management platform primarily designed for independent K-12 schools, providing an integrated single-database system for student information, admissions, billing, academics, advancement, and alumni management. It streamlines administrative tasks with robust reporting, scheduling, and parent portals. While excellent for school operations, it has limited native features for core church functions like membership tracking, donations, or worship planning, making it better suited for church-affiliated schools than standalone congregations.
Pros
- Single-database architecture eliminates silos and ensures data consistency
- Powerful customization and reporting for school administration
- Strong support for admissions, billing, and academic management
Cons
- High cost with custom pricing that may not suit smaller churches
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for non-technical users
- Lacks dedicated church tools like giving platforms or event ministry features
Best For
Church-operated independent K-12 schools needing an enterprise-grade student information system over basic church management.
Pricing
Custom quote based on enrollment size and modules; typically $10,000+ annually for mid-sized schools, with implementation fees.
Conclusion
After reviewing a diverse set of church and school management tools, ParishSOFT shines as the top choice, integrating membership, finance, attendance, grading, and reporting seamlessly. CDM+ follows closely with its comprehensive database for contributions, accounting, and student records, while PowerChurch Plus stands out with affordability and features like member tracking and event scheduling, each offering distinct value. For those prioritizing integrated functionality, ParishSOFT leads, but CDM+ and PowerChurch Plus are excellent alternatives based on specific needs.
Explore ParishSOFT to streamline operations and unlock a cohesive management experience tailored to church and school needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
