Quick Overview
- 1#1: Aplos - Cloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits with donor management and reporting.
- 2#2: QuickBooks Online - Robust cloud accounting platform with nonprofit features for church budgeting, payroll, and financial tracking.
- 3#3: Breeze ChMS - User-friendly church management system with integrated accounting, online giving, and expense tracking.
- 4#4: ChurchTrac - Affordable all-in-one church software featuring contributions, expenses, budgeting, and financial reports.
- 5#5: Shelby - Comprehensive church accounting software with fund accounting, AP/AR, and multi-campus support.
- 6#6: PowerChurch Plus - Church-specific accounting software for managing contributions, payroll, budgeting, and general ledger.
- 7#7: CDM+ - Modular church management and accounting system with strong financial tracking and reporting capabilities.
- 8#8: Planning Center Giving - Online giving platform integrated with church management for seamless donation processing and financial insights.
- 9#9: Tithe.ly - Mobile-first online giving solution for churches with donation tracking, reporting, and text-to-give features.
- 10#10: Subsplash Giving - Church app platform with advanced giving tools, recurring donations, and financial reconciliation.
Ranked by a focus on core features (including fund accounting, online giving, and reporting), user experience, reliability, and value, these tools represent the most robust and adaptable solutions for modern church operations.
Comparison Table
Navigating church financial software requires careful evaluation, and this comparison table simplifies the process by highlighting tools like Aplos, QuickBooks Online, Breeze ChMS, ChurchTrac, Shelby, and more. Readers will discover key features, usability, and suitability for various church sizes, helping them select software that aligns with their financial management needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aplos Cloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits with donor management and reporting. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | QuickBooks Online Robust cloud accounting platform with nonprofit features for church budgeting, payroll, and financial tracking. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 3 | Breeze ChMS User-friendly church management system with integrated accounting, online giving, and expense tracking. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 4 | ChurchTrac Affordable all-in-one church software featuring contributions, expenses, budgeting, and financial reports. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 5 | Shelby Comprehensive church accounting software with fund accounting, AP/AR, and multi-campus support. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | PowerChurch Plus Church-specific accounting software for managing contributions, payroll, budgeting, and general ledger. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 7 | CDM+ Modular church management and accounting system with strong financial tracking and reporting capabilities. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 8 | Planning Center Giving Online giving platform integrated with church management for seamless donation processing and financial insights. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | Tithe.ly Mobile-first online giving solution for churches with donation tracking, reporting, and text-to-give features. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 10 | Subsplash Giving Church app platform with advanced giving tools, recurring donations, and financial reconciliation. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
Cloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits with donor management and reporting.
Robust cloud accounting platform with nonprofit features for church budgeting, payroll, and financial tracking.
User-friendly church management system with integrated accounting, online giving, and expense tracking.
Affordable all-in-one church software featuring contributions, expenses, budgeting, and financial reports.
Comprehensive church accounting software with fund accounting, AP/AR, and multi-campus support.
Church-specific accounting software for managing contributions, payroll, budgeting, and general ledger.
Modular church management and accounting system with strong financial tracking and reporting capabilities.
Online giving platform integrated with church management for seamless donation processing and financial insights.
Mobile-first online giving solution for churches with donation tracking, reporting, and text-to-give features.
Church app platform with advanced giving tools, recurring donations, and financial reconciliation.
Aplos
specializedCloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits with donor management and reporting.
Advanced fund accounting that dynamically tracks and reports on restricted/unrestricted funds with automated allocations
Aplos is a cloud-based financial management platform specifically designed for churches and nonprofits, offering fund accounting, online giving, donor management, budgeting, and reporting tools. It automates tracking of restricted and unrestricted funds, ensures GAAP compliance, and integrates seamlessly with popular church management systems. With a focus on simplicity, Aplos empowers non-accountants to handle complex finances efficiently while providing robust dashboards for oversight.
Pros
- Specialized fund accounting that automatically handles donor restrictions and compliance
- Integrated online giving with mobile app support and low transaction fees
- Intuitive interface with excellent customer support and training resources
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may strain very small church budgets
- Advanced customization requires add-ons or integrations
- Donor CRM features are solid but not as deep as standalone fundraising software
Best For
Mid-sized churches and nonprofits needing an all-in-one, user-friendly financial solution without dedicated accounting staff.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month for basic accounting (billed annually), $99/month for full church edition with online giving; scales with fund volume and features.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseRobust cloud accounting platform with nonprofit features for church budgeting, payroll, and financial tracking.
Class and tracking categories for flexible multi-fund accounting without needing separate ledgers
QuickBooks Online is a versatile cloud-based accounting platform from Intuit, offering robust tools for invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting. For churches, it supports fund accounting through customizable classes and tracking categories, allowing segmentation of tithes, offerings, missions, and other funds. While not purpose-built for religious organizations, its scalability and integrations make it adaptable for nonprofit financial management, though it requires setup for church-specific workflows.
Pros
- Powerful general accounting tools with bank feeds and automated reconciliations
- Class and location tracking for multi-fund church accounting
- Seamless integrations with church management software like Planning Center or DonorPerfect
Cons
- No built-in donor management, pledge tracking, or membership database
- Initial setup for fund accounting and custom reports can be complex
- Higher-tier plans and add-ons (e.g., payroll) increase costs significantly
Best For
Mid-sized churches needing scalable, professional-grade accounting that integrates with specialized church tools.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start), $60/month (Essentials), $90/month (Plus), $200/month (Advanced); nonprofit discounts available via eligibility check.
Breeze ChMS
specializedUser-friendly church management system with integrated accounting, online giving, and expense tracking.
One-click online giving portal with built-in processing and automatic deposit reconciliation
Breeze ChMS is an all-in-one cloud-based church management system with strong financial capabilities, including online giving, donation tracking, pledge management, and basic budgeting tools. It allows churches to process payments, generate financial reports, and reconcile giving data effortlessly within a unified platform. Ideal for streamlining church finances alongside member management, events, and attendance tracking without needing separate software.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Affordable flat-rate pricing with no contracts
- Seamless online giving and automated bank reconciliation
Cons
- Lacks advanced accounting like full general ledger or payroll
- Reporting customization is somewhat limited
- May not scale well for very large churches with complex needs
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing simple, integrated financial tracking with member management.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 75 people, $99 for 150, up to $159 for 500+; unlimited admins and giving included.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable all-in-one church software featuring contributions, expenses, budgeting, and financial reports.
Robust fund accounting that automatically tracks and reports on multiple church funds and restricted donations
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one church management software with strong financial capabilities, including fund accounting, contribution tracking, budgeting, expense management, and financial reporting tailored for churches. It supports online giving, bank reconciliation, and payroll processing, integrating seamlessly with its membership and event tools. This solution is particularly suited for streamlining church finances while maintaining compliance with nonprofit accounting standards.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing with excellent value for small churches
- Intuitive interface that's easy for non-accountants to use
- Church-specific fund accounting for tracking restricted and designated giving
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Scalability challenges for very large churches with complex needs
- Fewer integrations with external tools compared to enterprise solutions
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches needing cost-effective, integrated financial management alongside basic church operations.
Pricing
Starts at $37/month (Basic, up to 75 people), $97/month (Standard, up to 300), $197/month (Premium, unlimited); free trial available.
Shelby
specializedComprehensive church accounting software with fund accounting, AP/AR, and multi-campus support.
Sophisticated multi-fund accounting engine that tracks unlimited funds, designations, and restrictions with audit-ready compliance.
Shelby, from shelbyinc.com, is a longstanding church management platform with robust financial software focused on fund accounting, payroll, budgeting, and contribution management tailored for nonprofit organizations like churches. It offers integrated tools for general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, and detailed financial reporting, all within a unified system that also handles membership and attendance data. Ideal for churches seeking enterprise-level financial controls, it supports both on-premise and cloud-hosted deployments.
Pros
- Comprehensive fund accounting with unlimited funds and sub-funds
- Strong integration with church database for holistic reporting
- Proven reliability with decades of use in thousands of churches
Cons
- Dated user interface compared to modern cloud-native competitors
- Steep learning curve for non-accountants
- Custom quoting makes pricing less transparent
Best For
Mid-to-large churches requiring advanced nonprofit financial accounting and integration with membership management.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting around $150-$300/month for core financial modules, scaling with church size and add-ons; annual contracts common.
PowerChurch Plus
specializedChurch-specific accounting software for managing contributions, payroll, budgeting, and general ledger.
Automated contribution tracking with personalized tithing statements and IRS-compliant exportable reports
PowerChurch Plus is an on-premises church management software suite with strong financial capabilities, including general ledger accounting, budgeting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and detailed contribution tracking. It integrates financial data with membership, attendance, and event management for a unified view of church operations. Primarily Windows-based, it emphasizes compliance reporting like IRS Form 990 and automated donor statements.
Pros
- Affordable one-time licensing with no recurring subscription fees
- Comprehensive church-specific financial tools including contribution tracking and budgeting
- Robust reporting for tax compliance and donor acknowledgments
Cons
- Outdated desktop interface lacks modern mobile or cloud access
- Limited integrations with external tools like online giving platforms
- Requires Windows environment and technical setup for multi-user networks
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking cost-effective, on-premises software with integrated financial and membership management.
Pricing
One-time purchase from $395 (Basic) to $1,195 (Complete), plus optional annual support from $195-$495.
CDM+
specializedModular church management and accounting system with strong financial tracking and reporting capabilities.
Sophisticated multi-fund accounting with fund-specific budgeting and reporting for complex church finances
CDM+ is a long-established, on-premise church management software suite with specialized financial modules tailored for religious organizations. It provides comprehensive accounting tools including general ledger, multi-fund budgeting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and contribution tracking. The system integrates financial data with membership, attendance, and event management for streamlined church operations.
Pros
- Robust multi-fund and multi-entity accounting designed for churches
- Extensive customizable reporting and audit trail features
- Seamless integration across financial and administrative modules
Cons
- Outdated Windows desktop interface with steep learning curve
- On-premise deployment lacks cloud flexibility and mobile access
- High upfront costs and ongoing maintenance fees
Best For
Mid-to-large churches with in-house IT support seeking detailed, customizable financial control over cloud convenience.
Pricing
Modular perpetual licenses starting at $1,000+ per module; annual maintenance/support ~20% of license cost; custom quotes required.
Planning Center Giving
specializedOnline giving platform integrated with church management for seamless donation processing and financial insights.
Seamless synchronization with Planning Center People database, automatically linking gifts to individual profiles without manual entry.
Planning Center Giving is a church-specific online donation platform that enables secure giving through websites, mobile apps, text messages, and kiosks. It handles recurring donations, pledges, and batch entries for cash/checks, while generating customizable giving statements. Seamlessly integrated with the broader Planning Center suite, it ties financial data to church member profiles for streamlined management.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with excellent mobile and text-to-give options
- No platform transaction fees (only standard processor fees)
- Strong integration with Planning Center People and other modules
Cons
- Limited to donation tracking; no full accounting for expenses or payroll
- Reporting and customization somewhat basic for larger churches
- Full benefits require adoption of the Planning Center ecosystem
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches already using Planning Center tools that prioritize simple, integrated online giving.
Pricing
Free for 0-24 active givers; $19/mo (25-99), $39/mo (100-249), up to $199/mo (5,000+); no contracts or setup fees.
Tithe.ly
specializedMobile-first online giving solution for churches with donation tracking, reporting, and text-to-give features.
Text-to-give, enabling instant donations via SMS without needing an app or website.
Tithe.ly is a cloud-based platform primarily focused on online giving and donation management for churches, supporting methods like website embeds, mobile apps, text-to-give, kiosks, and recurring pledges. It provides basic financial reporting, donor tracking, and integrations with church management systems like Planning Center and Rock RMS. While not a full accounting solution, it streamlines tithing and offerings with mobile-first accessibility for both givers and admins.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app and quick setup for online giving
- Multiple donation channels including text-to-give and kiosks
- Free tier with no monthly fees for basic functionality
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30) on all donations
- Limited advanced accounting and payroll features
- Reporting lacks depth for complex financial needs
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing simple, donor-friendly online giving over comprehensive bookkeeping.
Pricing
Free plan with 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fees; premium plans from $19/mo (Essentials) to $159/mo (Enterprise) for advanced reporting and unlimited users.
Subsplash Giving
specializedChurch app platform with advanced giving tools, recurring donations, and financial reconciliation.
Text-to-give and in-app donation prompts within a fully branded church mobile app
Subsplash Giving is a digital donation platform tailored for churches, enabling online giving through custom-branded mobile apps, church websites, text-to-give, and kiosks. It supports one-time and recurring gifts, stock donations, and integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Aplos for streamlined financial tracking. As part of the Subsplash church management suite, it emphasizes donor engagement and secure, PCI-compliant transactions.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Subsplash's church app and website for branded giving experiences
- Multiple giving methods including text-to-give and kiosks for higher donor convenience
- Strong reporting and accounting integrations for efficient financial management
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for smaller churches, making it less affordable standalone
- Full potential requires adoption of the broader Subsplash ecosystem
- Limited advanced budgeting or payroll features compared to dedicated financial software
Best For
Mid-sized churches seeking an integrated giving solution within a comprehensive church management platform.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for basic giving, with tiers from $200–$500+/month based on church size, active users, and platform features; custom quotes required.
Conclusion
Evaluating the reviewed church financial tools reveals a spectrum of solutions, each catering to distinct needs. Aplos leads as the top choice, designed specifically to meet the unique demands of churches, offering integrated donor management and reporting. QuickBooks Online stands as a robust alternative, excelling with its comprehensive accounting features and nonprofit tools, while Breeze ChMS impresses with its user-friendly, all-in-one approach that merges management and financial tracking. Together, these options ensure churches can manage finances effectively, with the right fit depending on size, budget, and specific priorities.
Don’t miss out on optimizing your church’s financial workflow—start with Aplos today to experience tailored tools that simplify tracking, reporting, and giving, empowering your community to focus on mission.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison