Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - All-in-one church management platform for tracking member data, attendance, giving, events, and volunteer scheduling.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - User-friendly church database software for managing contacts, contributions, events, and attendance with ease.
- 3#3: Rock RMS - Open-source church management system offering robust data management, check-ins, groups, and financial tracking.
- 4#4: ChurchTrac - Affordable church software for member directories, online giving, event registration, and attendance tracking.
- 5#5: Tithely - Church management tool focused on people database, mobile giving, and engagement with comprehensive reporting.
- 6#6: Subsplash - Church platform for member data management, custom apps, online giving, and event coordination.
- 7#7: CDM+ - Comprehensive church database solution for membership, accounting, attendance, and ministry tracking.
- 8#8: FellowshipOne - Church management system providing member profiles, contribution tracking, events, and volunteer management.
- 9#9: MinistryPlatform - Flexible church database for people management, groups, events, and check-ins with custom workflows.
- 10#10: ACS Technologies - Enterprise church software suite for member data, financials, worship planning, and background checks.
Tools were ranked based on their ability to deliver comprehensive, user-friendly features, reliable performance, and strong value, considering factors like functionality, ease of use, and alignment with modern church operational demands.
Comparison Table
Finding the right church data management software? This comparison table analyzes top tools like Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, Rock RMS, ChurchTrac, Tithely, and more, guiding readers through key features, usability, and support to suit their organization’s needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center All-in-one church management platform for tracking member data, attendance, giving, events, and volunteer scheduling. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS User-friendly church database software for managing contacts, contributions, events, and attendance with ease. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | Rock RMS Open-source church management system offering robust data management, check-ins, groups, and financial tracking. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 4 | ChurchTrac Affordable church software for member directories, online giving, event registration, and attendance tracking. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 5 | Tithely Church management tool focused on people database, mobile giving, and engagement with comprehensive reporting. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 6 | Subsplash Church platform for member data management, custom apps, online giving, and event coordination. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | CDM+ Comprehensive church database solution for membership, accounting, attendance, and ministry tracking. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.3/10 |
| 8 | FellowshipOne Church management system providing member profiles, contribution tracking, events, and volunteer management. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 9 | MinistryPlatform Flexible church database for people management, groups, events, and check-ins with custom workflows. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | ACS Technologies Enterprise church software suite for member data, financials, worship planning, and background checks. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.3/10 |
All-in-one church management platform for tracking member data, attendance, giving, events, and volunteer scheduling.
User-friendly church database software for managing contacts, contributions, events, and attendance with ease.
Open-source church management system offering robust data management, check-ins, groups, and financial tracking.
Affordable church software for member directories, online giving, event registration, and attendance tracking.
Church management tool focused on people database, mobile giving, and engagement with comprehensive reporting.
Church platform for member data management, custom apps, online giving, and event coordination.
Comprehensive church database solution for membership, accounting, attendance, and ministry tracking.
Church management system providing member profiles, contribution tracking, events, and volunteer management.
Flexible church database for people management, groups, events, and check-ins with custom workflows.
Enterprise church software suite for member data, financials, worship planning, and background checks.
Planning Center
specializedAll-in-one church management platform for tracking member data, attendance, giving, events, and volunteer scheduling.
Universal people data that syncs instantly across every app, ensuring one source of truth for profiles, attendance, giving, and service roles.
Planning Center is a modular, cloud-based church management software suite that centralizes data management for churches of all sizes. Its core People app serves as a robust CRM for member profiles, households, and custom fields, while integrating seamlessly with Services for worship planning, Check-Ins for attendance, Groups for small groups, Registrations for events, Giving for donations, and more. This unified ecosystem eliminates silos, enabling efficient data tracking, reporting, and communication across church operations.
Pros
- Seamless integration across all modules for unified data flow
- Intuitive, modern interface with mobile apps for all users
- Powerful reporting, custom fields, and automation tools
Cons
- Modular pricing can become expensive for larger churches using multiple apps
- Initial setup and data migration may require time
- Some advanced customizations limited compared to enterprise CRMs
Best For
Growing churches needing an integrated, scalable platform for comprehensive member data management, event planning, and financial tracking.
Pricing
Modular subscription starting at $0/month for basic People (up to 50 records), scaling by active records; additional apps like Services or Giving add $19+/month per module.
Breeze ChMS
specializedUser-friendly church database software for managing contacts, contributions, events, and attendance with ease.
Unlimited scalability on a flat fee with no per-user or per-record charges
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software that centralizes people management, online giving, event planning, attendance tracking, and communication tools like email and SMS for churches. It simplifies administrative tasks with an intuitive interface, allowing quick setup and mobile access without installations or complex configurations. Designed primarily for small to medium-sized churches, it handles check-ins, groups, worship planning, and basic reporting in one platform.
Pros
- Exceptionally user-friendly with minimal learning curve and fast onboarding
- Flat-rate pricing with unlimited users, people, and transactions
- Strong mobile app for check-ins, giving, and on-the-go access
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics for larger churches
- Fewer third-party integrations than enterprise competitors
- Basic customization options in forms and workflows
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing a simple, affordable all-in-one solution without technical expertise.
Pricing
Flat $72/month for one campus (unlimited users/people/transactions); $50/month per additional campus.
Rock RMS
specializedOpen-source church management system offering robust data management, check-ins, groups, and financial tracking.
Lava templating engine enabling unlimited, code-free customization of emails, reports, and user interfaces
Rock RMS is a powerful, open-source church management platform that centralizes people data, events, giving, check-ins, groups, and volunteering into a single, highly customizable system. Built on a flexible architecture with Lava templating and a block-based plugin system, it allows churches to tailor workflows, reports, and interfaces to their unique needs without vendor lock-in. It supports multi-campus operations, mobile apps, and integrations, making it ideal for tech-savvy church teams seeking scalability.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing fees
- Unmatched customization via Lava templates and extensible blocks
- Comprehensive modules covering CRM, events, finances, and check-ins
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring technical knowledge
- Self-hosting demands IT resources or paid managed hosting
- Limited out-of-box simplicity compared to plug-and-play alternatives
Best For
Mid-to-large churches with in-house technical expertise or volunteers who prioritize customization and cost savings over ease of setup.
Pricing
Free open-source core; optional paid hosting (~$100-500/month based on size) and premium support services.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable church software for member directories, online giving, event registration, and attendance tracking.
Built-in worship planning center that integrates seamlessly with member data and scheduling
ChurchTrac is a comprehensive cloud-based church management software tailored for small to medium-sized congregations, offering tools for member database management, contribution tracking, attendance monitoring, and event scheduling. It includes features like online giving, child check-in, small group management, and worship planning to streamline church operations. The platform emphasizes affordability and ease of use, with unlimited users and support across all plans.
Pros
- Affordable flat-rate pricing with unlimited users and free support
- Intuitive interface suitable for non-technical church staff
- Integrated worship planning and people management tools
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise competitors
- Fewer third-party integrations than larger platforms
- Mobile app functionality is basic and lacks some desktop features
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking a cost-effective, user-friendly solution without complex setup.
Pricing
Free for churches with under 75 people (limited features); paid plans start at $37/month for up to 250 people, scaling to $197/month for larger churches, with unlimited admins and support.
Tithely
specializedChurch management tool focused on people database, mobile giving, and engagement with comprehensive reporting.
Text-to-give and fully branded mobile app for instant donations and content delivery
Tithely (tithe.ly) is a cloud-based church management platform specializing in online giving, people management, and congregational engagement. It provides tools for tracking donations, managing member databases, handling check-ins, events, and groups, along with a custom mobile app for churches. Ideal for streamlining church operations with a strong emphasis on mobile accessibility and seamless digital tithing.
Pros
- Exceptional online giving tools with text-to-give and low processing fees
- Intuitive, mobile-first interface that's easy for volunteers and staff
- Custom church app for engagement, sermons, and events
Cons
- Advanced reporting and custom fields are limited without higher tiers
- Some integrations require add-ons or Zapier
- People management lacks depth for very large churches
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing simple giving, mobile engagement, and basic data management without complex needs.
Pricing
Free plan for basic giving; paid plans start at $29/mo (Plus), $89/mo (Pro), and custom Enterprise; giving fees 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
Subsplash
specializedChurch platform for member data management, custom apps, online giving, and event coordination.
Fully custom-branded mobile app with push notifications and integrated check-ins for superior congregant engagement
Subsplash is an all-in-one church platform that combines custom mobile apps, websites, online giving, and basic church management tools like people databases, events, groups, and check-ins. It focuses on enhancing digital engagement and communication for churches while providing centralized data management for members and attendance. While not a full-featured standalone ChMS, it integrates data tools seamlessly with its media and giving capabilities to streamline church operations.
Pros
- Seamless integration of mobile apps, giving, and basic people management
- Strong focus on engagement tools like events, prayer walls, and messaging
- Customizable branding across apps and websites
Cons
- Limited depth in advanced reporting and custom workflows compared to dedicated ChMS
- Pricing scales quickly for larger churches or higher engagement levels
- Data management feels secondary to engagement features
Best For
Medium-sized churches prioritizing mobile-first engagement and digital presence alongside basic data management.
Pricing
Custom pricing starts at ~$99/month for basic plans, scaling to $300+/month based on active users, giving volume, and features.
CDM+
specializedComprehensive church database solution for membership, accounting, attendance, and ministry tracking.
Advanced relational database querying for highly customizable reports and data exports
CDM+ is a long-standing church management software suite that provides comprehensive tools for membership management, financial accounting, contributions tracking, attendance records, event scheduling, and facilities management. It uses a modular design, allowing churches to license only the components they need, with strong emphasis on customizable reporting and data querying. Primarily a desktop application with some web access options, it caters to churches seeking detailed administrative control.
Pros
- Robust modular feature set covering all church admin needs
- Powerful reporting and querying tools for data analysis
- Strong integration between membership and accounting functions
Cons
- Outdated interface with steep learning curve
- Primarily desktop-based with limited modern cloud/mobile access
- Higher upfront costs and requires technical setup
Best For
Mid-sized churches with IT-savvy staff needing detailed financial tracking and customizable reports.
Pricing
Modular perpetual licenses starting at $1,000-$3,000 per module plus annual support (~20% of license cost); custom quotes based on modules selected.
FellowshipOne
specializedChurch management system providing member profiles, contribution tracking, events, and volunteer management.
Powerful query builder and reporting engine for deep, customizable data analysis
FellowshipOne is a robust church management software (ChMS) that centralizes member data, contributions, event management, attendance tracking, and volunteer coordination for churches. It includes tools for online giving, child check-in, and financial reporting, helping streamline church administration. The platform emphasizes data security and integrates with popular accounting software like QuickBooks.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including advanced reporting and custom queries
- Strong online giving and mobile app for accessibility
- Reliable integrations with accounting and email tools
Cons
- Outdated user interface that feels clunky
- Steep learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Custom pricing often higher for smaller churches
Best For
Mid-sized churches needing powerful data management and reporting without extreme customization needs.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on church size and modules; typically starts at $99/month for small churches, scaling to $300+ for larger ones.
MinistryPlatform
specializedFlexible church database for people management, groups, events, and check-ins with custom workflows.
Advanced relational database engine supporting complex queries, custom attributes, and household/group linking for unparalleled data flexibility
MinistryPlatform is a robust church management software (ChMS) focused on centralized data management for churches, offering tools for tracking members, groups, events, attendance, volunteering, and online giving. It excels in customizable databases and reporting, enabling churches to tailor workflows to their unique needs. The platform includes mobile apps, self-check-in kiosks, and integrations with tools like QuickBooks and email services.
Pros
- Highly customizable database with unlimited custom fields and relational data handling
- Powerful reporting and dashboard analytics for insights into church metrics
- Reliable check-in system and mobile accessibility for events and attendance
Cons
- Dated user interface that may feel clunky compared to modern competitors
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users due to advanced customization options
- Pricing requires custom quotes, which can be opaque and higher for larger churches
Best For
Mid-sized churches needing deep data customization and reporting without heavy reliance on plug-ins.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $100-$200/month for small churches, scaling with active records and features (Essentials, Plus, Enterprise tiers).
ACS Technologies
enterpriseEnterprise church software suite for member data, financials, worship planning, and background checks.
Deep integration with accounting tools like QuickBooks for seamless financial tracking
ACS Technologies offers a comprehensive church management software suite, including ACS People, ACS Contributions, and ACS Events, designed to streamline membership tracking, financial management, attendance, and event planning for churches. It provides robust data management with strong emphasis on security, reporting, and integration across modules for efficient church administration. Primarily suited for established congregations, it supports both on-premise and cloud deployments.
Pros
- Extensive feature set for membership and financials
- Reliable reporting and data security
- Long-term support with dedicated church expertise
Cons
- Dated user interface
- Complex setup and learning curve
- Higher cost for smaller churches
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches requiring a full-featured, reliable system for complex administrative needs.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting around $1,500 annually for basic modules, scaling with church size and add-ons; includes support fees.
Conclusion
The reviewed church data management tools provide robust solutions, with Planning Center leading as the top choice for its all-in-one capabilities in tracking member data, attendance, and more. Breeze ChMS and Rock RMS are strong alternatives, offering user-friendly interfaces and distinct strengths in various operations. Ultimately, the best pick depends on individual community needs, but these tools collectively prioritize efficiency.
Start with Planning Center to leverage its comprehensive features, or explore Breeze ChMS and Rock RMS if their specific strengths align better with your community’s unique workflows—taking the first step toward smoother management is key.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison