Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - Comprehensive church management platform with people management, online giving, event planning, and service scheduling.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - Simple, affordable cloud-based church management for member tracking, events, check-ins, and donations.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - User-friendly church software for membership database, online giving, attendance tracking, and event management.
- 4#4: Rock RMS - Powerful open-source church management system with advanced CRM, workflows, groups, and financial tools.
- 5#5: Tithe.ly ChMS - Integrated church management with seamless giving, people profiles, communication, and engagement features.
- 6#6: Subsplash - Church engagement platform combining custom apps, giving, events, and people management tools.
- 7#7: ChurchCRM - Free open-source church CRM for managing members, families, events, pledges, and fund accounting.
- 8#8: Elvanto - Cloud-based church management software for rotas, people database, online forms, and volunteer coordination.
- 9#9: Servant Keeper - Church administration software with member tracking, accounting, online giving, and mobile access.
- 10#10: CDM+ - Modular church database system for membership, contributions, attendance, and administrative tasks.
We selected and ranked these tools by prioritizing functionality (e.g., membership management, giving, event planning), usability (intuitive design, accessibility), and value (pricing, scalability), ensuring a balance that caters to diverse church sizes and workflows.
Comparison Table
Navigating church CRM software can be challenging, but this comparison table simplifies the process, featuring top tools like Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, ChurchTrac, Rock RMS, Tithe.ly ChMS, and more. Readers will gain insights into key features, pricing, and usability to identify the best fit for their church's unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center Comprehensive church management platform with people management, online giving, event planning, and service scheduling. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS Simple, affordable cloud-based church management for member tracking, events, check-ins, and donations. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac User-friendly church software for membership database, online giving, attendance tracking, and event management. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 4 | Rock RMS Powerful open-source church management system with advanced CRM, workflows, groups, and financial tools. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 5 | Tithe.ly ChMS Integrated church management with seamless giving, people profiles, communication, and engagement features. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 6 | Subsplash Church engagement platform combining custom apps, giving, events, and people management tools. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | ChurchCRM Free open-source church CRM for managing members, families, events, pledges, and fund accounting. | other | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 6.2/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 8 | Elvanto Cloud-based church management software for rotas, people database, online forms, and volunteer coordination. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | Servant Keeper Church administration software with member tracking, accounting, online giving, and mobile access. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | CDM+ Modular church database system for membership, contributions, attendance, and administrative tasks. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive church management platform with people management, online giving, event planning, and service scheduling.
Simple, affordable cloud-based church management for member tracking, events, check-ins, and donations.
User-friendly church software for membership database, online giving, attendance tracking, and event management.
Powerful open-source church management system with advanced CRM, workflows, groups, and financial tools.
Integrated church management with seamless giving, people profiles, communication, and engagement features.
Church engagement platform combining custom apps, giving, events, and people management tools.
Free open-source church CRM for managing members, families, events, pledges, and fund accounting.
Cloud-based church management software for rotas, people database, online forms, and volunteer coordination.
Church administration software with member tracking, accounting, online giving, and mobile access.
Modular church database system for membership, contributions, attendance, and administrative tasks.
Planning Center
enterpriseComprehensive church management platform with people management, online giving, event planning, and service scheduling.
Its modular, interconnected app ecosystem that syncs data effortlessly across CRM, planning, check-ins, and more, allowing churches to mix and match without silos.
Planning Center, centered around its People module, is a cloud-based church management suite that excels as a CRM by providing robust tools for managing congregant profiles, households, communications, check-ins, and engagement tracking. It seamlessly integrates with companion apps like Services for worship planning, Groups for small group management, Registrations for events, and Giving for online donations. Tailored specifically for churches, it streamlines administrative workflows, fosters community connections, and scales with church growth without requiring complex IT setup.
Pros
- Seamless integration across all modules for a unified church ecosystem
- Intuitive, mobile-first interface with excellent customization options
- Comprehensive CRM capabilities including advanced people search, workflows, and engagement tools
Cons
- Modular pricing structure can add up for churches using multiple apps
- Reporting features are solid but may require add-ons for highly advanced analytics
- Initial data migration and setup can be time-intensive for larger churches
Best For
Churches of all sizes seeking a scalable, integrated platform for CRM, worship planning, events, and donations in one cohesive system.
Pricing
People (CRM) module is free; additional modules start at $14/month for churches under 75 weekly attenders, scaling to higher tiers (e.g., $99+/month for 500+ attenders) based on attendance.
Breeze ChMS
specializedSimple, affordable cloud-based church management for member tracking, events, check-ins, and donations.
One-click worship planning that integrates songs, media, and volunteer schedules effortlessly
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software that provides an all-in-one solution for managing people databases, online giving, event registration, child check-in, groups, and worship planning. It centralizes church operations with features like attendance tracking, communication tools, and financial reporting, all accessible via web and mobile apps. Known for its intuitive design, Breeze eliminates the need for multiple tools, making it ideal for efficient church administration.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Unlimited users and no contracts for flexible scaling
- Seamless mobile app for check-in and on-the-go management
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for very large churches
- Reporting features lack some enterprise-level depth
- Storage and attachment limits on lower tiers
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking a simple, affordable, and user-friendly CRM without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 50 profiles (billed annually), scaling to $200+/month for larger churches; unlimited staff users.
ChurchTrac
specializedUser-friendly church software for membership database, online giving, attendance tracking, and event management.
Integrated Worship Planning tool that allows drag-and-drop service planning with chord charts, media, and volunteer scheduling in one place
ChurchTrac is a cloud-based church management software designed to streamline operations for churches of all sizes, offering tools for member database management, attendance tracking, online giving, event scheduling, check-ins, small groups, worship planning, and basic accounting. It provides a centralized platform to handle communications, volunteer management, and reporting. With a focus on affordability and ease of use, it's particularly suited for small to mid-sized congregations seeking an all-in-one solution without complex setups.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing with unlimited users and free online giving processing
- Intuitive interface that's quick to learn, even for non-tech-savvy users
- Comprehensive feature set covering core church needs like check-ins, events, and worship planning
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting compared to enterprise-level competitors
- Mobile app is functional but lacks some desktop features
- Scalability issues for very large churches (over 500 members)
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking an affordable, user-friendly all-in-one CRM without needing extensive technical expertise.
Pricing
Starts at $37/month (Basic, up to 75 people), $97/month (Premium, up to 250), $197/month (Unlimited); includes free 30-day trial and no contracts.
Rock RMS
enterprisePowerful open-source church management system with advanced CRM, workflows, groups, and financial tools.
Lava templating engine enabling dynamic, code-free customization of emails, reports, and workflows
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management platform that serves as a comprehensive CRM for tracking people, groups, attendance, events, finances, and communications. It features tools for child check-in, online giving, volunteer management, and worship planning, all accessible via a modern web interface and mobile app. Highly extensible through its attribute framework and Lava templating, it allows churches to tailor the system to their unique workflows without vendor lock-in.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing fees
- Unmatched customization via Lava templates and attribute framework
- Robust feature set including secure child check-in and integrated giving
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring technical expertise
- Complex setup and maintenance, especially for self-hosting
- Overwhelming interface for small churches without IT support
Best For
Mid-to-large churches with technical staff needing a highly customizable, cost-free CRM platform.
Pricing
Free open-source core; optional paid hosting from $99/month per instance and implementation services from $5,000+.
Tithe.ly ChMS
enterpriseIntegrated church management with seamless giving, people profiles, communication, and engagement features.
Industry-leading online giving platform with text-to-give, kiosks, and Apple/Google Pay support for maximum donor convenience.
Tithe.ly ChMS is a cloud-based church management system that integrates seamless online giving with core CRM functionalities like people database management, event scheduling, attendance tracking, and group communications. It caters to churches seeking an all-in-one solution for member engagement and administrative tasks. The platform stands out for its mobile-first design and user-friendly interface, enabling quick adoption by church staff and volunteers.
Pros
- Exceptional online giving tools with low transaction fees and high donor conversion rates
- Intuitive, mobile-responsive interface that's easy for non-tech users
- Strong integration with popular church apps and quick setup
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and custom workflows compared to enterprise solutions
- Some key features like unlimited events locked behind higher tiers
- Customer support can be slower for free/basic plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing easy online giving and simple member management without complex customization needs.
Pricing
Free for basic giving; ChMS plans start at $19/mo (Essentials, 50 people), $49/mo (Growth, 250 people), up to $99/mo (Pro, 1,000 people), billed annually with transaction fees of 2.9% + $0.30.
Subsplash
specializedChurch engagement platform combining custom apps, giving, events, and people management tools.
Custom-branded mobile app builder that delivers a native app experience without app store hassles
Subsplash is a church management platform focused on digital engagement, offering custom-branded mobile apps, church websites, online giving, and media streaming. It includes CRM features like a people database, groups, events, check-ins, and communication tools to manage congregant relationships. While not a traditional standalone CRM, it unifies online and in-person ministry through an integrated ecosystem.
Pros
- Custom-branded mobile apps with push notifications for high engagement
- Seamless online giving with competitive processing fees
- Intuitive interface and strong integration across digital tools
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers that may strain smaller church budgets
- CRM depth lags behind dedicated tools in advanced reporting and automation
- Limited customization options without developer support
Best For
Mid-sized churches emphasizing digital presence, mobile apps, and online giving over deep administrative CRM needs.
Pricing
Tiered subscriptions start at ~$99/month for basic digital tools, scaling to $300+/month for full CRM features based on church size and usage; custom enterprise plans available.
ChurchCRM
otherFree open-source church CRM for managing members, families, events, pledges, and fund accounting.
Unlimited scalability and customization as fully open-source software without any freemium restrictions
ChurchCRM is a free, open-source church management software designed for self-hosting on PHP/MySQL servers, enabling churches to manage member directories, families, events, donations, and volunteer schedules. It includes features like online check-ins for children, small group management, fundraising tools, and customizable reports. While comprehensive for basic church operations, it emphasizes data ownership and avoids subscription fees.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no user or feature limits
- Robust feature set covering people management, events, giving, and groups
- Full data control via self-hosting and high customizability
Cons
- Requires technical expertise for installation and server maintenance
- Outdated user interface that can feel clunky
- Community-driven support lacks the responsiveness of paid options
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches with IT-savvy volunteers who prioritize cost savings and data privacy over plug-and-play ease.
Pricing
100% free (open-source); optional donations encouraged for development.
Elvanto
specializedCloud-based church management software for rotas, people database, online forms, and volunteer coordination.
Streamlined kids check-in with photo labels, security tags, and mobile app support for quick, safe family reunions.
Elvanto is a cloud-based church management software tailored for churches to handle member databases, event planning, volunteer coordination, and attendance tracking. It provides tools for online giving, kids check-in, small groups management, and basic reporting to streamline church operations. The platform prioritizes simplicity and accessibility, making it suitable for teams without extensive technical expertise.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Affordable scaling pricing model
- Effective people and groups management for engagement
Cons
- Reporting capabilities are basic compared to competitors
- Limited advanced integrations and customization options
- Some features lack depth for larger congregations
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking a straightforward, user-friendly CRM for core administrative tasks.
Pricing
Free for up to 25 people; paid plans start at $19/month base + $0.39 per additional person/month, with volume discounts.
Servant Keeper
specializedChurch administration software with member tracking, accounting, online giving, and mobile access.
Advanced contribution management with automated IRS e-filing and donor statement generation
Servant Keeper is a long-established church management software designed specifically for churches, offering comprehensive tools for membership database management, contribution tracking, attendance records, event scheduling, and financial reporting. It supports both on-premise installation and cloud hosting, with strong emphasis on IRS-compliant giving reports and multi-campus capabilities. The software integrates online giving and a mobile app for accessibility.
Pros
- Robust financial and contribution tracking with IRS-compliant reports
- One-time licensing model provides excellent long-term value
- Strong customization for reporting and multi-campus churches
Cons
- Dated desktop interface with a steeper learning curve
- Limited modern mobile-first features compared to cloud-native competitors
- Additional modules can increase upfront costs
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking a reliable, cost-effective on-premise CRM with detailed financial management.
Pricing
One-time perpetual licenses start at $299 for basic edition, scaling to $2,000+ for full features based on church size, plus optional annual support (~20% of license cost).
CDM+
enterpriseModular church database system for membership, contributions, attendance, and administrative tasks.
Church-specific fund accounting that automatically handles designations, restricted funds, and nonprofit reporting requirements
CDM+ is a comprehensive church management software solution designed specifically for churches, offering modules for membership management, financial accounting, contribution tracking, attendance, events, and communication. It provides both on-premise and cloud-based deployment options, with strong emphasis on customizable reporting and integrated fund accounting tailored to nonprofit church needs. The software supports churches of various sizes by streamlining administrative tasks and ensuring compliance with church financial standards.
Pros
- Robust integrated accounting and fund management specifically for churches
- Highly customizable reports and queries
- Reliable data import/export and backup features
Cons
- Interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-native competitors
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Pricing can be higher for smaller congregations with limited needs
Best For
Medium to large churches requiring advanced financial accounting and detailed membership tracking integrated into a single system.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting around $200/month for cloud version, with perpetual licenses available; scales with modules and church size.
Conclusion
After evaluating the top church CRM software, Planning Center emerges as the standout choice, offering a comprehensive platform for people management, giving, and scheduling. Breeze ChMS and ChurchTrac follow closely, with Breeze’s affordability and ChurchTrac’s user-friendliness, each serving as strong alternatives for different operational needs. Together, these tools highlight the variety of solutions available to support church growth and efficiency.
Begin your church management journey with the top-ranked Planning Center, and discover how it can streamline your processes and foster deeper community connections.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison