Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - Comprehensive church management suite with powerful tools for event planning, online registration, check-ins, and volunteer scheduling.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - User-friendly church management software featuring intuitive event calendars, registrations, and group coordination.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable all-in-one church software with event management, scheduling, and volunteer sign-ups.
- 4#4: Faith Teams - Specialized tool for church volunteer teams and event management with scheduling and communication features.
- 5#5: Rock RMS - Robust open-source church management system with advanced event workflows, registrations, and CRM integration.
- 6#6: Subsplash - Church engagement platform with event promotion, mobile apps, and registration capabilities.
- 7#7: Church Community Builder - Church management software providing event registration, groups, and engagement tracking.
- 8#8: MinistryPlatform - Cloud-based platform for church events, check-ins, online forms, and volunteer management.
- 9#9: Elexio - Church management solution with event planning, attendance tracking, and communication tools.
- 10#10: CDM+ - Church administration software including event scheduling, calendars, and reporting features.
These tools were rigorously evaluated based on feature robustness, usability, quality, and value, ensuring they deliver exceptional performance for managing events, volunteers, and participation.
Comparison Table
For church leaders aiming to simplify event planning, coordination, and tracking, choosing the right software is key. This comparison table explores top tools like Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, ChurchTrac, Faith Teams, Rock RMS, and more, highlighting features, usability, and fit for diverse church needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center Comprehensive church management suite with powerful tools for event planning, online registration, check-ins, and volunteer scheduling. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS User-friendly church management software featuring intuitive event calendars, registrations, and group coordination. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable all-in-one church software with event management, scheduling, and volunteer sign-ups. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 4 | Faith Teams Specialized tool for church volunteer teams and event management with scheduling and communication features. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 5 | Rock RMS Robust open-source church management system with advanced event workflows, registrations, and CRM integration. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 6 | Subsplash Church engagement platform with event promotion, mobile apps, and registration capabilities. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Church Community Builder Church management software providing event registration, groups, and engagement tracking. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | MinistryPlatform Cloud-based platform for church events, check-ins, online forms, and volunteer management. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Elexio Church management solution with event planning, attendance tracking, and communication tools. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | CDM+ Church administration software including event scheduling, calendars, and reporting features. | enterprise | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
Comprehensive church management suite with powerful tools for event planning, online registration, check-ins, and volunteer scheduling.
User-friendly church management software featuring intuitive event calendars, registrations, and group coordination.
Affordable all-in-one church software with event management, scheduling, and volunteer sign-ups.
Specialized tool for church volunteer teams and event management with scheduling and communication features.
Robust open-source church management system with advanced event workflows, registrations, and CRM integration.
Church engagement platform with event promotion, mobile apps, and registration capabilities.
Church management software providing event registration, groups, and engagement tracking.
Cloud-based platform for church events, check-ins, online forms, and volunteer management.
Church management solution with event planning, attendance tracking, and communication tools.
Church administration software including event scheduling, calendars, and reporting features.
Planning Center
specializedComprehensive church management suite with powerful tools for event planning, online registration, check-ins, and volunteer scheduling.
Deep integration with Planning Center Services, automatically pulling volunteers and worship plans into events for effortless staffing and rehearsal coordination
Planning Center is a cloud-based church management platform with a robust suite of tools, where the Registrations module shines for event management by handling sign-ups, payments, custom forms, and attendee communications for unlimited events. It integrates seamlessly with Services for volunteer scheduling, Check-Ins for quick event attendance, and Groups for follow-up engagement, streamlining the entire church event lifecycle. Designed specifically for churches, it supports everything from retreats and conferences to weekly services and VBS programs.
Pros
- Seamless integration across modules like Services, Check-Ins, and Groups for end-to-end event workflows
- Unlimited events and registrations with advanced features like tiered pricing, waitlists, and custom workflows
- Intuitive interface with mobile apps, excellent customer support, and church-specific tools like CCLI integration
Cons
- Pricing adds up quickly when using multiple modules
- Steep initial learning curve for full suite customization
- Less ideal for non-church organizations due to tailored church-focused features
Best For
Churches of all sizes needing an all-in-one platform for planning, registering, and executing events with volunteer coordination.
Pricing
People database free; Registrations $79/month; other modules $19-$99/month with discounts for bundles (billed annually).
Breeze ChMS
specializedUser-friendly church management software featuring intuitive event calendars, registrations, and group coordination.
One-click event check-in via mobile app that instantly syncs attendance to individual profiles and groups
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management system from breeze.church that provides comprehensive tools for event planning, including creating events, managing RSVPs, tracking attendance, and coordinating check-ins. It integrates event management with its core people database, groups, and communication features, allowing churches to streamline event workflows alongside member engagement. Designed for simplicity, it supports online registrations, automated reminders via email/SMS, and mobile check-ins, making it suitable for recurring services, small groups, and special church events.
Pros
- Intuitive, drag-and-drop interface for quick event setup
- Seamless integration with church database for automatic attendance updates
- Affordable flat-rate pricing that scales with congregation size
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for complex event workflows
- Reporting features are basic compared to specialized event platforms
- Less robust support for large-scale or virtual-hybrid events
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing an easy-to-use, all-in-one tool for event management integrated with daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 50 profiles; $8 per additional 50 profiles, with no contracts or setup fees.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable all-in-one church software with event management, scheduling, and volunteer sign-ups.
Volunteer recruitment and scheduling embedded directly into every event for effortless staffing
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one church management software with robust event management capabilities, allowing churches to create, promote, and track events like services, retreats, and classes seamlessly. It supports online registration, volunteer scheduling, automated reminders via email/SMS, and integration with attendance and giving modules for a holistic view. The platform's calendar tools help coordinate multiple events while syncing with member databases to personalize communications and RSVPs.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop event calendar and scheduling
- Seamless online registration with payment processing
- Strong integration with membership and volunteer management
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for event pages
- Basic reporting analytics for large-scale events
- Mobile app lacks full event editing capabilities
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking affordable, integrated event management without needing standalone specialized tools.
Pricing
Starts at $37/month (Essentials for ≤75 people), $77/month (Professional for ≤250), $147/month (Premium for ≤750), with a 30-day free trial and no long-term contracts.
Faith Teams
specializedSpecialized tool for church volunteer teams and event management with scheduling and communication features.
Volunteer self-scheduling portal that allows team members to view availability, swap shifts, and confirm roles independently
Faith Teams is a church management platform specializing in volunteer scheduling, event coordination, and team organization for ministries. It enables churches to create events, manage registrations and RSVPs, handle check-ins, and communicate with teams through a centralized dashboard. Designed for simplicity, it replaces manual processes like spreadsheets with automated tools tailored to church workflows.
Pros
- Highly intuitive volunteer scheduling with self-serve options
- Streamlined event check-in and registration system
- Affordable and scalable pricing without long-term contracts
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting capabilities
- Fewer third-party integrations than enterprise competitors
- Basic customization for event templates and branding
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches needing simple, efficient tools for volunteer coordination and recurring event management.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for up to 75 active people (Essentials plan), scaling to $99/month for 500+ (Pro plan); enterprise options available.
Rock RMS
enterpriseRobust open-source church management system with advanced event workflows, registrations, and CRM integration.
Rock Blocks system for drag-and-drop customization of event pages, calendars, and registration forms directly integrated with the church database
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management system (ChMS) with robust event management capabilities tailored for churches. It enables seamless event creation, registration, ticketing, volunteer scheduling, check-ins, and calendar integration, all tied to a central people database. The platform's modular 'block' system allows for highly customized workflows, making it ideal for complex church event needs.
Pros
- Completely free open-source core with extensive event tools like registration and volunteer management
- Deep customization via Rock Blocks and plugins for tailored event workflows
- Seamless integration with church CRM for personalized attendee communication
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup requiring technical expertise
- Interface feels overwhelming for beginners despite powerful features
- Self-hosting demands IT resources; cloud hosting adds costs
Best For
Tech-savvy churches or those with IT staff seeking a highly customizable, all-in-one free solution for managing events alongside full ChMS needs.
Pricing
Free to download and self-host; Rock Cloud hosting starts at ~$99/month for small churches, scaling with record volume and features.
Subsplash
specializedChurch engagement platform with event promotion, mobile apps, and registration capabilities.
Custom-branded mobile app with built-in event discovery, RSVPs, and real-time notifications
Subsplash is a comprehensive church engagement platform that includes dedicated event management tools designed for religious organizations. It enables churches to create customizable event calendars, handle registrations and RSVPs, process payments, manage volunteers, and track attendance via integrated check-in features. The platform seamlessly connects events with its custom mobile app and website, enhancing congregant engagement through push notifications and live streaming.
Pros
- Seamless integration with custom church mobile apps for event promotion and check-ins
- Robust registration, payment processing, and volunteer management tools
- Strong analytics for attendance tracking and engagement insights
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller churches focused solely on events
- Steeper learning curve due to its all-in-one platform nature
- Less flexibility for highly customized event workflows compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Mid-sized churches seeking an integrated event management solution within a broader digital engagement platform.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at ~$99/month for basic plans, typically $200-$600+/month depending on church size, giving volume, and features.
Church Community Builder
specializedChurch management software providing event registration, groups, and engagement tracking.
Seamless linkage of events to household/groups data for automated attendance tracking and follow-up communications
Church Community Builder (CCB) is an all-in-one church management software that includes dedicated event management tools for creating calendars, handling registrations, RSVPs, and volunteer coordination. It integrates event data directly with the church's people database, groups, and giving modules for streamlined tracking of attendance and engagement. While not a standalone event platform, it excels in tying events to overall church operations like check-ins and communications.
Pros
- Deep integration with church database for personalized event tracking
- Robust online registration, payments, and volunteer scheduling
- Advanced reporting on event attendance and engagement metrics
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Dated interface feels clunky compared to modern tools
- Pricing scales quickly for larger churches, less ideal for events-only use
Best For
Mid-sized churches needing integrated people management alongside event planning and tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $89/month for up to 75 active profiles; scales to $200-$500+/month based on church size, with custom enterprise options.
MinistryPlatform
enterpriseCloud-based platform for church events, check-ins, online forms, and volunteer management.
Household-centric people database that automatically links family event registrations, volunteers, and attendance
MinistryPlatform is a robust church management software (ChMS) with strong event management capabilities tailored for churches. It enables event creation, online registration, volunteer scheduling, and attendance tracking, all seamlessly integrated with a central people database that includes household management. The platform also supports check-in kiosks, online giving, and reporting to streamline church operations and event execution.
Pros
- Deep integration with people and household data for personalized event management
- Powerful reporting and analytics for events and attendance
- Mobile check-in and volunteer tools via the Loop app
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to database-like interface
- User interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS tools
- Pricing requires custom quotes and can be higher for smaller churches
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches needing an all-in-one ChMS with advanced event and data management features.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on church size and households; typically $100-$500/month, with no public tiers—demo required.
Elexio
specializedChurch management solution with event planning, attendance tracking, and communication tools.
Integrated child check-in and security tagging system directly linked to event registrations
Elexio is an all-in-one church management software platform that excels in event management for churches, offering tools for creating events, online registration, payment processing, and attendance tracking. It integrates seamlessly with member databases, volunteer scheduling, and child check-in systems to streamline church operations. Designed for small to mid-sized congregations, it supports recurring events, custom forms, and mobile access for on-the-go management.
Pros
- Strong integration between events and church member database
- User-friendly online registration and payment processing
- Reliable mobile app for event check-ins and volunteer coordination
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for complex event workflows
- Reporting features lack depth compared to top competitors
- Scalability issues for very large churches
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking an affordable, integrated solution for event planning and registration without needing extensive custom development.
Pricing
Starts at around $99/month for churches with up to 250 active records, with pricing scaling based on congregation size and features; includes a 14-day free trial.
CDM+
enterpriseChurch administration software including event scheduling, calendars, and reporting features.
Integrated resource scheduling with automatic conflict detection across rooms, volunteers, and events tied to the church database
CDM+ is an all-in-one church management software suite from Suran Systems that includes dedicated event management capabilities for scheduling, registration, and coordination of church activities. It integrates event calendars with membership tracking, attendance, and resource booking, allowing seamless management of services, classes, retreats, and special events. The platform supports online registrations and reporting, making it a solid choice for churches needing integrated operations.
Pros
- Strong integration with other church modules like membership and accounting
- Customizable event calendars and registration forms
- Flexible deployment options including on-premise for data security
Cons
- Dated user interface that feels clunky compared to modern SaaS tools
- Steep learning curve for non-tech-savvy church staff
- Pricing can add up with modular add-ons
Best For
Mid-sized churches seeking a comprehensive, integrated system where event management is part of broader administrative needs rather than a standalone tool.
Pricing
Modular subscription starting at $99/month per module; full suites often require custom quotes around $200-500/month depending on church size.
Conclusion
Among the reviewed platforms, Planning Center leads as the top choice, boasting a comprehensive suite that enhances event planning, registration, and volunteer management. Breeze ChMS impresses with its user-friendly design, making it an excellent alternative for those prioritizing simplicity, while ChurchTrac stands out as a solid option for affordable, all-in-one functionality.
Begin optimizing your church events by trying Planning Center, the top-ranked tool, to leverage its robust features and elevate your organizational efforts.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
