Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - All-in-one church management platform with advanced tools for event registration, scheduling, volunteer coordination, and check-ins.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - User-friendly church management software featuring simple event calendars, registrations, and group management.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable church software with integrated event planning, calendars, attendance tracking, and volunteer scheduling.
- 4#4: Rock RMS - Powerful open-source church management system offering robust event management, registrations, and workflow automation.
- 5#5: Subsplash - Church engagement platform with event promotion, registration, and mobile app integration for seamless planning.
- 6#6: Tithe.ly - Church giving and communication tool with built-in event creation, ticketing, and attendee management features.
- 7#7: FaithTeams - Church volunteer management software focused on scheduling teams and events with self-serve sign-ups.
- 8#8: CDM+ - Comprehensive church administration software including event scheduling, facility management, and reporting.
- 9#9: Church Windows - Church accounting and management system with calendar and event tracking capabilities.
- 10#10: SignUpGenius - Online sign-up tool for coordinating church event volunteers, meals, and activities with customizable sheets.
Tools were ranked based on feature robustness (including registration, scheduling, and volunteer coordination), user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they meet the diverse demands of church communities.
Comparison Table
Church event planning software streamlines organizing services, events, and community outreach, with tools like Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, ChurchTrac, Rock RMS, and Subsplash providing distinct features. This comparison table outlines key capabilities, usability, and suitability for various church sizes, enabling readers to identify the best fit for their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center All-in-one church management platform with advanced tools for event registration, scheduling, volunteer coordination, and check-ins. | specialized | 9.8/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS User-friendly church management software featuring simple event calendars, registrations, and group management. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable church software with integrated event planning, calendars, attendance tracking, and volunteer scheduling. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 4 | Rock RMS Powerful open-source church management system offering robust event management, registrations, and workflow automation. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 5 | Subsplash Church engagement platform with event promotion, registration, and mobile app integration for seamless planning. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | Tithe.ly Church giving and communication tool with built-in event creation, ticketing, and attendee management features. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | FaithTeams Church volunteer management software focused on scheduling teams and events with self-serve sign-ups. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | CDM+ Comprehensive church administration software including event scheduling, facility management, and reporting. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.3/10 |
| 9 | Church Windows Church accounting and management system with calendar and event tracking capabilities. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 6.9/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 10 | SignUpGenius Online sign-up tool for coordinating church event volunteers, meals, and activities with customizable sheets. | other | 7.4/10 | 6.9/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
All-in-one church management platform with advanced tools for event registration, scheduling, volunteer coordination, and check-ins.
User-friendly church management software featuring simple event calendars, registrations, and group management.
Affordable church software with integrated event planning, calendars, attendance tracking, and volunteer scheduling.
Powerful open-source church management system offering robust event management, registrations, and workflow automation.
Church engagement platform with event promotion, registration, and mobile app integration for seamless planning.
Church giving and communication tool with built-in event creation, ticketing, and attendee management features.
Church volunteer management software focused on scheduling teams and events with self-serve sign-ups.
Comprehensive church administration software including event scheduling, facility management, and reporting.
Church accounting and management system with calendar and event tracking capabilities.
Online sign-up tool for coordinating church event volunteers, meals, and activities with customizable sheets.
Planning Center
specializedAll-in-one church management platform with advanced tools for event registration, scheduling, volunteer coordination, and check-ins.
Real-time collaborative worship planning with integrated chord charts, rehearsal plans, and automated volunteer assignments that sync across events and services.
Planning Center is a cloud-based church management suite with specialized tools for worship planning and event coordination, including Services for service planning and Registrations for handling sign-ups, payments, and attendance. It enables teams to collaborate in real-time on chord charts, rehearsal plans, volunteer schedules, and custom event forms. The platform's unified database ensures seamless data sharing across ministries, making it ideal for churches managing weekly services, retreats, conferences, and classes.
Pros
- Seamless integration across modules for unified event planning and management
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with mobile apps for on-the-go access
- Robust tools like custom registrations, payments, check-ins, and volunteer coordination tailored for churches
Cons
- Pricing scales with additional modules and church size, potentially costly for small churches
- Steeper initial learning curve for fully leveraging all interconnected features
- Some advanced customizations require developer add-ons or API use
Best For
Churches of all sizes, especially those needing an all-in-one platform for worship services, special events, and volunteer-driven activities.
Pricing
Core Services module free; Registrations $29/month (first 50 registrants free); other modules like People start at $14/month for up to 75 people, scaling with active records.
Breeze ChMS
specializedUser-friendly church management software featuring simple event calendars, registrations, and group management.
Customizable online registration forms with built-in RSVP tracking and automated follow-up communications
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software that provides robust event planning tools tailored for churches, including calendar management, online registration, volunteer coordination, and attendance tracking. It integrates event features seamlessly with its people database, enabling personalized invitations, RSVP management, and automated reminders via email and SMS. Ideal for streamlining church events from small groups to large services, it emphasizes simplicity without requiring technical expertise.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop event creation
- Seamless integration with church member database for targeted communications
- Unlimited events and strong mobile accessibility
Cons
- Lacks advanced ticketing or payment processing for paid events
- Reporting and analytics are functional but not highly customizable
- Best suited for smaller to mid-sized churches; scalability limits for megachurches
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking an affordable, all-in-one ChMS with straightforward event planning capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 50 people, scaling to $399+/month for larger churches; no contracts or setup fees.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable church software with integrated event planning, calendars, attendance tracking, and volunteer scheduling.
Integrated room booking and volunteer scheduling tied directly to the church's people database
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one church management software with dedicated event planning tools, including a shared calendar, event registration, room reservations, and volunteer scheduling. It enables churches to create events, track RSVPs, send communications, and integrate seamlessly with member databases and giving modules. Designed for small to mid-sized congregations, it streamlines event coordination without needing multiple tools.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with flat monthly fees
- Strong integration between events, people, and groups
- User-friendly calendar and RSVP system
Cons
- Dated user interface in some areas
- Limited advanced analytics for event performance
- Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing cost-effective, integrated event planning within broader church management.
Pricing
Essentials plan at $37/month (up to 100 people); Premium at $97/month (up to 500 people); custom Enterprise options.
Rock RMS
specializedPowerful open-source church management system offering robust event management, registrations, and workflow automation.
Integrated volunteer scheduling and management tied directly to the church's people database for effortless coordination.
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management system (ChMS) with a powerful Events module tailored for church event planning, including calendars, registrations, scheduling, and volunteer coordination. It integrates event management seamlessly with people database, groups, check-ins, and giving tools, enabling comprehensive church operations. Churches can create dynamic event pages, workflows, and automated communications, making it suitable for everything from small gatherings to large conferences.
Pros
- Highly customizable event workflows and registration forms
- Seamless integration with church CRM, volunteers, and check-ins
- Free core platform with unlimited scalability
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Requires technical expertise or paid partner implementation
- Interface can feel overwhelming for non-technical users
Best For
Mid-sized churches needing an all-in-one ChMS with robust, integrated event planning capabilities.
Pricing
Free open-source software; self-hosting or partner implementation typically $5,000–$20,000+ upfront, with optional ongoing support fees.
Subsplash
specializedChurch engagement platform with event promotion, registration, and mobile app integration for seamless planning.
Integrated mobile app push notifications and in-app event RSVPs for effortless promotion and higher attendance.
Subsplash is a comprehensive church management platform with dedicated event planning tools designed specifically for religious organizations. It enables churches to create event calendars, manage registrations, handle ticketing and payments, schedule volunteers, and promote events through integrated apps, websites, and push notifications. The platform emphasizes seamless digital engagement, making it easy to connect events with online giving and member communication.
Pros
- Deep integration with church apps for event promotion via push notifications and in-app registrations
- Robust tools for volunteer management, ticketing, and automated reminders tailored to church needs
- Scalable for multi-campus churches with centralized event oversight
Cons
- Pricing tied to full platform subscription, which may be overkill for event-only use
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy church admins due to extensive features
- Limited customization for non-church-specific events compared to general-purpose tools
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches seeking an all-in-one solution that combines event planning with digital engagement, giving, and member management.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $99/month for basic plans, scaling to $300+/month based on church size, attendance, and features.
Tithe.ly
specializedChurch giving and communication tool with built-in event creation, ticketing, and attendee management features.
One-click integration of event registrations with text-to-give and online payments
Tithe.ly is a church management system (ChMS) with built-in event planning capabilities, allowing churches to create, promote, and manage events like services, retreats, and classes through an intuitive calendar and registration system. It supports RSVPs, volunteer scheduling, and check-ins, with seamless integration to its core giving platform for handling event payments or donations. While not a standalone event tool, it excels in unifying event management with church finances and member communications.
Pros
- Strong integration between events and online giving for seamless registrations and payments
- User-friendly interface with mobile app support for on-the-go event management
- Affordable pricing with scalable plans for growing churches
Cons
- Event features are basic compared to dedicated planning software, lacking advanced ticketing or multi-venue support
- Full functionality requires the ChMS subscription beyond free giving tools
- Limited customization for complex event workflows or automations
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking integrated event planning with donation management without needing specialized event software.
Pricing
Free for basic giving; ChMS plans start at $19/month (Essentials) up to $99+/month (Enterprise), billed annually.
FaithTeams
specializedChurch volunteer management software focused on scheduling teams and events with self-serve sign-ups.
Intelligent Sub Finder that automatically notifies and matches substitute volunteers for open shifts
FaithTeams is a church management platform specializing in volunteer scheduling, event planning, and team communication tailored for churches. It enables users to create events, build rosters, manage sign-ups, handle check-ins, and broadcast updates via text and email. The software includes a mobile app and self-service tools for volunteers to swap shifts and confirm availability, streamlining church operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling for events and volunteers
- Effective communication tools like mass texting and email
- Mobile app and volunteer self-service portal enhance accessibility
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Fewer integrations with other church software
- Pricing scales quickly for larger churches
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking simple, reliable tools for volunteer coordination and basic event management.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month for up to 75 volunteers, with tiered plans scaling to $199+/month based on church size and features.
CDM+
enterpriseComprehensive church administration software including event scheduling, facility management, and reporting.
Deep integration of event scheduling with church-wide data like member profiles and volunteer rosters for automated coordination.
CDM+ is a comprehensive church management software suite that includes a dedicated Events module for scheduling, coordinating, and tracking church events like services, retreats, and classes. It supports calendar management, facility reservations, volunteer assignments, online registration, and payment processing, all integrated with membership and financial data. This makes it suitable for churches seeking unified event planning within broader administrative tools rather than a standalone solution.
Pros
- Strong integration with membership, attendance, and accounting modules for seamless event data flow
- Robust facility and room reservation system with conflict checking
- Supports event registration, RSVPs, and integrated payment processing
Cons
- Dated Windows-based interface with a steeper learning curve for new users
- Limited mobile app functionality compared to modern cloud competitors
- Pricing scales with modules, which can be costly for churches only needing events
Best For
Mid-sized churches requiring integrated event planning as part of full church management software.
Pricing
Modular subscription pricing starts at around $595/year per module; Events module typically bundled in packages from $2,000-$5,000 annually based on church size.
Church Windows
specializedChurch accounting and management system with calendar and event tracking capabilities.
Direct linkage of event registrations and attendance to automated accounting entries and fund tracking
Church Windows is a comprehensive church management software (ChMS) that includes event planning tools such as shared calendars, event registration, RSVP tracking, and volunteer scheduling integrated with membership and accounting modules. It enables churches to organize services, classes, and special events while linking attendance and donations directly to financial records. Though not a standalone event platform, it provides reliable basics for churches needing unified admin functions.
Pros
- Deep integration between events, membership, and fund accounting
- Reliable on-premise deployment with data ownership
- Customizable reports for event attendance and giving
Cons
- Dated Windows-only desktop interface with steep learning curve
- Limited mobile app and cloud features compared to modern competitors
- Basic event tools lacking advanced automation or online promotion
Best For
Small to medium churches wanting an all-in-one system where event planning ties into accounting and member data without needing multiple tools.
Pricing
Annual licensing starts at ~$295 for up to 100 households (Essential plan), scaling to $1,000+ for larger churches with add-on modules and support.
SignUpGenius
otherOnline sign-up tool for coordinating church event volunteers, meals, and activities with customizable sheets.
Customizable sign-up sheets supporting multiple columns for time slots, items, and volunteer roles
SignUpGenius is an online sign-up sheet platform that simplifies volunteer coordination and event organization for churches, allowing users to create customizable sheets for potlucks, service projects, and committee assignments. It enables easy participant sign-ups for time slots, items to bring, or tasks, with options for reminders and basic reporting. While effective for straightforward volunteer management, it lacks comprehensive event planning tools like ticketing or full CRM integration.
Pros
- Intuitive interface for quick sign-up sheet creation
- Generous free plan suitable for small church events
- Mobile-responsive design for easy volunteer access
Cons
- Limited to sign-ups without advanced event management or worship planning tools
- Paid features required for reminders and payments
- Basic reporting lacks depth for larger churches
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing simple, no-fuss volunteer sign-ups for potlucks, clean-ups, and basic events.
Pricing
Free Lite plan with core features; Premium starts at $9.99/month (billed annually) for reminders, payments, and unlimited groups.
Conclusion
After examining a diverse range of tools, the best church event planning software varies in focus, but Planning Center emerges as the leader, offering a robust, all-in-one platform for event registration, scheduling, and volunteer coordination. While Planning Center sets the standard, Breeze ChMS and ChurchTrac excel as alternatives—Breeze for its user-friendly design and ChurchTrac for its affordability—each catering to unique needs.
Ready to simplify your church events? Start with Planning Center to unlock seamless organization and stronger community connections.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison