Quick Overview
- 1#1: Breeze ChMS - Cloud-based church management software with intuitive people directories, custom fields, photos, and mobile access for easy member management.
- 2#2: Planning Center People - Robust people management module featuring searchable directories, relationship tracking, custom tags, and seamless integration with other church tools.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable church database software offering member directories, group management, attendance tracking, and photo directories.
- 4#4: Church Community Builder - Engagement-focused church management system with dynamic member directories, small groups, and communication features.
- 5#5: Rock RMS - Open-source church management platform with advanced person directories, workflows, check-in, and extensive customization options.
- 6#6: Subsplash - Church app and management platform providing member directories, push notifications, and engagement tools within a mobile-first experience.
- 7#7: Faith Teams - All-in-one church software with people directories, volunteer scheduling, event management, and simple directory sharing.
- 8#8: CDM+ - Comprehensive church database system featuring detailed member directories, family tracking, and reporting capabilities.
- 9#9: Elexio - Cloud church management software with community directories, online forms, and integrated communication for member connectivity.
- 10#10: MinistryPlatform - Enterprise church management tool with powerful people database, advanced directories, and lifecycle management features.
These tools were chosen for robust feature sets, intuitive design, reliable performance, and strong value, ensuring they meet the diverse demands of churches of all sizes and structures.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores leading church directory software options including Breeze ChMS, Planning Center People, ChurchTrac, and more, guiding readers to evaluate tools for their community. It highlights key features, usability, and suitability, helping inform choices for managing member data and streamlining organizational workflows.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breeze ChMS Cloud-based church management software with intuitive people directories, custom fields, photos, and mobile access for easy member management. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 2 | Planning Center People Robust people management module featuring searchable directories, relationship tracking, custom tags, and seamless integration with other church tools. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable church database software offering member directories, group management, attendance tracking, and photo directories. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 4 | Church Community Builder Engagement-focused church management system with dynamic member directories, small groups, and communication features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Rock RMS Open-source church management platform with advanced person directories, workflows, check-in, and extensive customization options. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 6 | Subsplash Church app and management platform providing member directories, push notifications, and engagement tools within a mobile-first experience. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Faith Teams All-in-one church software with people directories, volunteer scheduling, event management, and simple directory sharing. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | CDM+ Comprehensive church database system featuring detailed member directories, family tracking, and reporting capabilities. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 9 | Elexio Cloud church management software with community directories, online forms, and integrated communication for member connectivity. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | MinistryPlatform Enterprise church management tool with powerful people database, advanced directories, and lifecycle management features. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.2/10 |
Cloud-based church management software with intuitive people directories, custom fields, photos, and mobile access for easy member management.
Robust people management module featuring searchable directories, relationship tracking, custom tags, and seamless integration with other church tools.
Affordable church database software offering member directories, group management, attendance tracking, and photo directories.
Engagement-focused church management system with dynamic member directories, small groups, and communication features.
Open-source church management platform with advanced person directories, workflows, check-in, and extensive customization options.
Church app and management platform providing member directories, push notifications, and engagement tools within a mobile-first experience.
All-in-one church software with people directories, volunteer scheduling, event management, and simple directory sharing.
Comprehensive church database system featuring detailed member directories, family tracking, and reporting capabilities.
Cloud church management software with community directories, online forms, and integrated communication for member connectivity.
Enterprise church management tool with powerful people database, advanced directories, and lifecycle management features.
Breeze ChMS
specializedCloud-based church management software with intuitive people directories, custom fields, photos, and mobile access for easy member management.
Smart Lists for automatically generating dynamic, real-time directories based on attendance, giving, or custom criteria
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software with powerful directory features at its core, enabling churches to maintain a comprehensive, searchable database of members complete with profiles, photos, contact details, and custom fields. It supports easy filtering, tagging, and segmentation for targeted communication and engagement. Beyond directories, it integrates seamlessly with giving, events, and check-ins, making it a versatile all-in-one solution for church administration.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick setup and navigation
- Advanced people search with filters, tags, and smart lists for dynamic directories
- Unlimited staff users and mobile app access for on-the-go management
- Excellent photo integration and customizable profiles for visual directories
Cons
- Reporting features are solid but less advanced for very large churches
- Limited third-party integrations compared to enterprise-level ChMS
- Pricing scales with church size, which may add up for growing congregations
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking an user-friendly, affordable directory solution with seamless integration into broader church management needs.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 75 people, with tiers scaling to $279/month for 1,000+ people; unlimited staff users included.
Planning Center People
specializedRobust people management module featuring searchable directories, relationship tracking, custom tags, and seamless integration with other church tools.
Deep integration across the full Planning Center suite for unified church management
Planning Center People is a robust church database and directory software that serves as the central hub for managing congregant information within the Planning Center ecosystem. It enables churches to create detailed profiles, organize households and relationships, track involvement through tags and custom fields, and generate reports or directories. With strong mobile access and permission-based online directories, it supports communication, check-ins, and workflows tailored to church needs.
Pros
- Seamless integration with other Planning Center modules like Groups and Check-Ins
- Intuitive, modern interface with excellent mobile app
- Powerful customization including workflows, tags, and reporting
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with church size
- Can feel overwhelming for very small churches
- Advanced features require some learning curve
Best For
Mid-sized churches seeking an integrated people management system with directory capabilities.
Pricing
Free trial; starts at $19/month for up to 75 people, then scales (e.g., $89/month for 400 people) across all Planning Center modules.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable church database software offering member directories, group management, attendance tracking, and photo directories.
Advanced family merging and household organization with visual photo directories
ChurchTrac is a cloud-based church management software with robust directory features for organizing member data, family groups, and contact information. It enables churches to create customizable, photo-rich directories that can be printed, exported, or accessed online via a member portal. The tool integrates directory management with check-in, events, attendance tracking, and online giving for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with unlimited users on higher plans
- Intuitive interface ideal for non-tech-savvy users
- Strong family and household grouping in directories
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Fewer third-party integrations than top competitors
- Some premium directory export features locked behind higher tiers
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing a simple, budget-friendly directory solution without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $37/month (Essentials for up to 75 members), $59/month (Standard unlimited), up to $159/month (Premium); 30-day free trial.
Church Community Builder
specializedEngagement-focused church management system with dynamic member directories, small groups, and communication features.
Dynamic Groups that automatically populate and update based on directory data, check-ins, and event participation
Church Community Builder (CCB) is a full-featured church management software (ChMS) with strong directory capabilities, enabling churches to create customizable, searchable member directories with detailed profiles, photos, family linkages, and custom fields. It integrates directory data seamlessly with groups, events, check-ins, and communication tools for comprehensive congregation management. The platform offers web and mobile access, allowing members to update their own information and leaders to generate reports effortlessly.
Pros
- Robust, customizable member database with advanced search and filtering
- Seamless integration of directories with events, groups, and giving tools
- Mobile app for self-service profile updates and on-the-go access
Cons
- Pricing model scales steeply with congregation size, becoming expensive for large churches
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive features beyond basic directories
- Overkill for small churches or those needing only simple directory functionality
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches seeking an integrated ChMS where directory management is part of broader operations like events and check-ins.
Pricing
Tiered subscription starting at ~$37/month for up to 75 households, scaling to $200+/month for 500+ records (roughly $1-2 per active person); custom enterprise plans available.
Rock RMS
specializedOpen-source church management platform with advanced person directories, workflows, check-in, and extensive customization options.
Lava templating engine for pixel-perfect custom directories, reports, and integrations without coding limits
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management system (ChMS) with robust directory capabilities, enabling churches to manage detailed member profiles, families, groups, attendance, and custom attributes in a centralized database. It supports advanced search, filtering, photos, and communication tools directly tied to the directory. While primarily a full ChMS, its people management module serves as a powerful, customizable church directory solution.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with unlimited users
- Highly customizable directory via Lava templating and attributes
- Seamless integration with events, giving, and groups
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup
- Requires technical expertise for customization and hosting
- Community support rather than dedicated phone help
Best For
Tech-savvy churches or those with IT staff seeking a fully customizable, all-in-one ChMS with strong directory features.
Pricing
Free core software (self-hosted); optional Rock Cloud hosting from $99/month for 250 people, scaling up.
Subsplash
specializedChurch app and management platform providing member directories, push notifications, and engagement tools within a mobile-first experience.
Integrated People search with real-time engagement data syncing across the church app ecosystem
Subsplash is a comprehensive church management platform that includes a robust People directory module, enabling churches to create searchable member directories with customizable profiles, photos, contact info, and group affiliations. It integrates seamlessly with mobile apps, websites, online giving, events, and engagement tools to facilitate community connections. The directory supports private messaging, check-ins, and volunteer management, making it a central hub for member interaction.
Pros
- Deep integration with church apps for giving, events, and media
- Mobile-first directory with advanced search and private messaging
- Customizable profiles and groups for enhanced community building
Cons
- High pricing not ideal for very small churches
- Full platform learning curve beyond basic directory use
- Limited standalone directory options without broader subscription
Best For
Mid-sized churches seeking an integrated app-based directory within a full engagement ecosystem.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $160-$500+/month based on church size, active users, and features; annual contracts required.
Faith Teams
specializedAll-in-one church software with people directories, volunteer scheduling, event management, and simple directory sharing.
Integrated volunteer team scheduling directly from member profiles
Faith Teams is a comprehensive church management software (ChMS) with a robust people directory at its core, enabling churches to store detailed member profiles, family groupings, photos, and custom fields. It supports searchable directories, label printing, exports to PDF/Excel, and integration with volunteer scheduling and events. While not a standalone directory tool, its directory capabilities are enhanced by real-time updates and mobile access for staff and leaders.
Pros
- Strong family and household management with relational linking
- Customizable fields and easy imports/exports for directories
- Seamless integration with scheduling and check-in tools
Cons
- Overkill for churches needing only basic directory functions
- Pricing scales with congregation size, getting expensive for larger churches
- Steeper learning curve due to full ChMS feature set
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches that want a directory integrated with volunteer team management and events.
Pricing
Tiered plans starting at $29/month for up to 150 people, scaling to $159+/month for larger congregations with unlimited users.
CDM+
specializedComprehensive church database system featuring detailed member directories, family tracking, and reporting capabilities.
Advanced household and photo directory management with automated grouping and professional printing layouts
CDM+ is a comprehensive, on-premise church management software from CDM Digital that includes robust member directory features for tracking profiles, photos, family households, and contact details. It enables churches to generate customizable printed directories, labels, and online member portals for self-service updates. Beyond directories, it integrates with attendance, contributions, events, and accounting for a unified administrative platform.
Pros
- Powerful member database with photo integration and household grouping
- Customizable directory printing and reporting tools
- Seamless integration across church management modules
Cons
- Dated Windows desktop interface feels outdated
- Steep learning curve for setup and customization
- Higher cost and IT requirements for on-premise deployment
Best For
Mid-sized to larger churches needing an integrated, feature-rich system with strong directory capabilities.
Pricing
Modular subscription pricing starts at ~$100/month for core features, scaling to $300+ based on congregation size and add-ons; quote-based.
Elexio
specializedCloud church management software with community directories, online forms, and integrated communication for member connectivity.
Family-centric directory views that group households and display relational data intuitively
Elexio is a church management software (ChMS) platform that excels in providing a centralized member directory for churches to store and access detailed profiles, including photos, contact information, family groupings, and custom fields. It enables easy searching, filtering, and exporting of directory data, while integrating seamlessly with giving, events, and communication tools. Designed for churches of all sizes, it supports both web and mobile access for on-the-go directory management.
Pros
- Robust, searchable member directory with family views and custom fields
- Strong integration with giving, events, and groups for holistic church management
- Mobile-friendly access and photo uploads for modern directory use
Cons
- Interface can feel dated compared to newer competitors
- Full feature set may overwhelm small churches needing only basic directories
- Customer support response times vary based on user feedback
Best For
Mid-sized churches seeking an integrated ChMS with reliable directory functionality rather than standalone directory tools.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month for up to 75 active records, scaling to $99+/month for larger churches; includes free trial.
MinistryPlatform
enterpriseEnterprise church management tool with powerful people database, advanced directories, and lifecycle management features.
Advanced household and relationship mapping that automatically links family members and updates across the entire platform
MinistryPlatform is a robust church management software (ChMS) with a central people directory that manages member profiles, households, relationships, and custom fields for comprehensive church data organization. It enables searchable directories, group management, attendance tracking, and integrations with events, giving, and check-ins. Ideal for churches seeking an all-in-one solution beyond basic directories.
Pros
- Powerful people database with household linking and custom fields
- Seamless integration with events, giving, and volunteer tools
- Strong reporting, exports, and mobile app access for directories
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Pricing scales quickly with church size, less ideal for very small congregations
- Interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS tools
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches needing an integrated directory within a full ChMS ecosystem.
Pricing
Custom quote based on average weekly attendance; starts around $100/month for small churches, scaling to $500+ for larger ones.
Conclusion
Choosing the right church directory software involves balancing features, usability, and needs, and this review shows Breeze ChMS as the top pick—its intuitive cloud-based design, custom fields, and mobile access make it ideal for seamless member management. Planning Center People shines with robust relationship tracking and integration, while ChurchTrac offers affordability and essential group and attendance tools for those seeking value. Together, these three set the standard for effective church organization.
Ready to simplify member management? Start with Breeze ChMS to experience its user-friendly platform and comprehensive features, or explore Planning Center People or ChurchTrac to find the perfect fit for your church's unique needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison