Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - Comprehensive church management platform for people tracking, events, giving, and worship planning.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - User-friendly church database for member management, check-ins, events, and online giving.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable all-in-one software for attendance, contributions, events, and member communication.
- 4#4: Rock RMS - Free open-source church management system with robust people, groups, and financial tracking.
- 5#5: Tithely - Church management focused on mobile giving, people database, and engagement tools.
- 6#6: Subsplash - Church app and management platform for digital engagement, giving, and member resources.
- 7#7: Church Community Builder - Relationship-focused software for member engagement, groups, events, and next steps tracking.
- 8#8: Servant Keeper - Church accounting and member management software with attendance and contribution tools.
- 9#9: Elvanto - Cloud-based church management for rotas, people, events, and volunteer coordination.
- 10#10: Faith Teams - Volunteer and member management software with scheduling, check-ins, and background checks.
Tools were ranked based on their comprehensive feature sets, reliability, user-friendly design, and overall value, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of churches seeking to streamline operations and enhance engagement
Comparison Table
This comparison table highlights popular church member software tools, such as Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, ChurchTrac, Rock RMS, and Tithely, to assist users in finding the right fit for managing planning, communication, and financial tasks. Readers will gain insights into key features, strengths, and ideal use cases suited to different church sizes and operational needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center Comprehensive church management platform for people tracking, events, giving, and worship planning. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS User-friendly church database for member management, check-ins, events, and online giving. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable all-in-one software for attendance, contributions, events, and member communication. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 4 | Rock RMS Free open-source church management system with robust people, groups, and financial tracking. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 6.8/10 | 10/10 |
| 5 | Tithely Church management focused on mobile giving, people database, and engagement tools. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Subsplash Church app and management platform for digital engagement, giving, and member resources. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Church Community Builder Relationship-focused software for member engagement, groups, events, and next steps tracking. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Servant Keeper Church accounting and member management software with attendance and contribution tools. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.3/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | Elvanto Cloud-based church management for rotas, people, events, and volunteer coordination. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Faith Teams Volunteer and member management software with scheduling, check-ins, and background checks. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
Comprehensive church management platform for people tracking, events, giving, and worship planning.
User-friendly church database for member management, check-ins, events, and online giving.
Affordable all-in-one software for attendance, contributions, events, and member communication.
Free open-source church management system with robust people, groups, and financial tracking.
Church management focused on mobile giving, people database, and engagement tools.
Church app and management platform for digital engagement, giving, and member resources.
Relationship-focused software for member engagement, groups, events, and next steps tracking.
Church accounting and member management software with attendance and contribution tools.
Cloud-based church management for rotas, people, events, and volunteer coordination.
Volunteer and member management software with scheduling, check-ins, and background checks.
Planning Center
specializedComprehensive church management platform for people tracking, events, giving, and worship planning.
Real-time collaborative service planning that auto-assigns volunteers, chords, media, and notes across integrated apps.
Planning Center is a modular, cloud-based church management platform that excels in member management, worship planning, and ministry coordination. The flagship People app serves as a robust CRM for church directories, profiles, check-ins, events, and communication, while interconnected apps like Services, Groups, Check-Ins, Registrations, Giving, and Publishing handle everything from volunteer scheduling to online donations. Its design emphasizes seamless integration, making it a one-stop solution for churches aiming to streamline operations and enhance member engagement.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with strong mobile apps for staff and members
- Seamless integration across all modules for unified workflows
- Powerful automation, custom workflows, and worship planning tools
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with church size and module usage
- Advanced features may require multiple interconnected apps
- Reporting and analytics lack some enterprise-level depth
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches needing scalable, integrated tools for member management, volunteer coordination, and multi-ministry operations.
Pricing
Freemium model with People free up to 75 profiles; tiers based on active adults ($14-$195+/mo per module), typically $50-300+/mo total for multi-module use.
Breeze ChMS
specializedUser-friendly church database for member management, check-ins, events, and online giving.
Frictionless, one-click child check-in system that syncs effortlessly across devices and integrates with people data
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software that simplifies administrative tasks for churches by centralizing member data, online giving, event registration, and child check-ins. It provides tools for groups and volunteering, communication via email/SMS, and basic reporting, all accessible from any device. Designed for ease, it requires no IT expertise and offers quick setup, making it ideal for streamlining church operations without complexity.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Outstanding customer support with live chat and phone assistance
- Affordable, scalable pricing with no contracts or setup fees
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting for very large churches
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to enterprise solutions
- Mobile app lacks some desktop-level functionality
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking a straightforward, user-friendly ChMS that prioritizes simplicity and quick implementation.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month (billed annually) for up to 50 people, scaling to $199/month for 500+; per-active-record pricing with no long-term contracts.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable all-in-one software for attendance, contributions, events, and member communication.
Integrated Worship Planning module for creating service orders, chord charts, and rehearsal schedules in one place
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one church management software tailored for small to medium-sized congregations, offering tools for member database management, attendance tracking, online giving, event scheduling, and worship planning. It provides a web-based platform with mobile access, enabling church staff to handle administrative tasks efficiently without needing extensive technical expertise. The software also includes accounting features and child check-in systems to support day-to-day operations.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with scalable plans
- Intuitive interface suitable for non-tech-savvy users
- Comprehensive church-specific tools like worship planning and check-in
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and customization for larger churches
- Mobile app functionality lags behind desktop version
- Customer support can be slower during peak times
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing an affordable, straightforward solution for member management and basic administration.
Pricing
Starts at $37/month (Basic, up to 75 people), $57/month (Standard, up to 150), up to $197/month (Enterprise, 500+); 30-day free trial.
Rock RMS
specializedFree open-source church management system with robust people, groups, and financial tracking.
Lava templating engine enabling unlimited custom workflows, reports, and pages without traditional coding
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management software (ChMS) designed specifically for churches, offering comprehensive tools for member database management, group and event coordination, online giving, child check-in, volunteer scheduling, and communication. Its highly extensible architecture uses a block-based system and Lava templating language, allowing churches to customize nearly every aspect without coding expertise. It supports multi-site campuses, mobile apps, and integrations with tools like Planning Center and QuickBooks.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no usage limits
- Extremely customizable via drag-and-drop blocks and powerful templating
- Robust features like advanced Kiosk check-in and mobile-first apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training time
- Self-hosting demands technical expertise or paid managed hosting
- Community support can be inconsistent for complex issues
Best For
Mid-to-large churches with in-house tech resources seeking a highly customizable, no-cost ChMS.
Pricing
Free core platform (open-source); optional paid hosting starts at $99/month, support packages from $500/month.
Tithely
specializedChurch management focused on mobile giving, people database, and engagement tools.
Tithely Giving: Industry-leading mobile donation platform with text-to-give and recurring gifts that drives high participation rates.
Tithely is a cloud-based church management software (ChMS) that specializes in online giving, member engagement, and administrative tools for churches. It provides features like a robust people database, event registration, group management, custom websites, SMS communication, and live streaming integration. The platform emphasizes mobile accessibility, allowing members to donate, check in, and receive updates seamlessly from their phones.
Pros
- Exceptional online giving tools with low fees and high donor adoption
- Intuitive mobile-first interface for both staff and members
- Strong integration with apps for check-ins, texting, and websites
Cons
- Reporting and analytics lack depth for larger churches
- Pricing scales quickly with church size and add-ons
- Limited customization in some advanced management features
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing easy online giving and simple member engagement over complex reporting.
Pricing
Free for basic giving (2.9% + 30¢ per transaction); ChMS plans start at $19/mo for up to 75 people, scaling to $199+/mo for larger churches with premium features.
Subsplash
specializedChurch app and management platform for digital engagement, giving, and member resources.
Custom-branded native mobile apps with push notifications and offline sermon access
Subsplash is a comprehensive church engagement platform offering custom-branded mobile apps, church websites, online giving, and media hosting for sermons and resources. It streamlines member communication, event management, group connectivity, and attendance tracking through an all-in-one dashboard. Designed for churches of all sizes, it emphasizes digital-first experiences to foster community and growth.
Pros
- Custom-branded mobile apps for iOS and Android enhance member engagement
- Seamless integration of giving, events, and media in one platform
- Robust analytics and multi-campus support for growing churches
Cons
- High pricing can be prohibitive for small churches
- Steep learning curve for full customization and setup
- Limited flexibility in some reporting and automation features
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches prioritizing professional mobile apps and digital giving.
Pricing
Custom pricing starts at ~$99/month for basic web tools, $200-500+/month for apps and advanced features based on church size and giving volume.
Church Community Builder
specializedRelationship-focused software for member engagement, groups, events, and next steps tracking.
Advanced Small Groups Management with automated workflows, leader tools, and roster tracking
Church Community Builder (CCB) is a robust church management software designed to streamline operations for church staff, offering tools for managing member profiles, households, attendance, and engagement. It excels in small group management, event registration, child check-in, online giving, and communication through emails, SMS, and a mobile app for members. With customizable workflows and reporting dashboards, it supports churches in fostering community growth and tracking metrics effectively.
Pros
- Comprehensive people and groups management with detailed profiles and workflows
- Integrated check-in, giving, and event tools reduce need for multiple platforms
- Strong reporting and dashboards for tracking attendance and engagement
Cons
- Dated user interface feels clunky and less intuitive than modern competitors
- Steep learning curve for full utilization of advanced features
- Custom pricing can escalate quickly for larger churches
Best For
Mid-sized churches prioritizing small group ministry, member tracking, and integrated event management.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on church size and modules, starting at around $99/month for small churches, scaling to $500+ for mid-sized congregations.
Servant Keeper
specializedChurch accounting and member management software with attendance and contribution tools.
Advanced query builder enabling complex, custom data searches and reporting without needing external tools
Servant Keeper is a long-established church management software that provides comprehensive tools for tracking member information, contributions, attendance, events, and accounting. It supports both desktop and cloud deployments (SKCloud), with strong capabilities in financial reporting and online giving integration. Designed primarily for Windows, it caters to churches needing detailed data management and custom queries.
Pros
- Robust financial tracking and accounting integration
- Powerful query builder for custom reports
- Reliable performance with decades of refinement
Cons
- Outdated interface feels clunky and Windows-centric
- Steep learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Limited native mobile app functionality
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing detailed financial reporting and data querying over modern, intuitive interfaces.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $39/month for up to 100 members, scaling to $199+/month for larger churches; perpetual licenses available from $795 one-time plus annual support.
Elvanto
specializedCloud-based church management for rotas, people, events, and volunteer coordination.
Smart rostering system that auto-fills volunteer schedules based on availability, preferences, and past participation
Elvanto is a user-friendly church management software tailored for member engagement, event planning, and administrative efficiency in churches. It provides a centralized database for people and households, tools for groups, events, check-ins, online giving, and volunteer rostering. As part of the Planning Center family, it integrates seamlessly with worship planning and other modules for a cohesive church operations platform.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Strong volunteer rostering and scheduling tools
- Affordable pricing scalable for small to mid-sized churches
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise options
- Some features feel basic for very large congregations
- Customer support can be slower outside peak hours
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking an easy-to-implement, relational-focused management system without high costs.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for up to 75 profiles (Starter), $99/month for 250 profiles (Professional), up to $299/month for 1,000+ profiles, with a free trial available.
Faith Teams
specializedVolunteer and member management software with scheduling, check-ins, and background checks.
Volunteer Portal enabling real-time self-signups, notifications, and shift trades without admin intervention
Faith Teams is a church management software focused on volunteer coordination, team scheduling, and event management for churches. It provides tools for self-scheduling volunteers via a mobile app, kiosk check-ins for events and children's ministries, and basic people database management. While it supports small groups and communication, it emphasizes operational efficiency for ministry teams over full-scale CRM features.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for volunteer self-scheduling and shift swaps
- Quick setup for check-in kiosks and event registration
- Affordable scaling for small to mid-sized churches
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Basic member engagement and discipleship tracking
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Small to medium churches with heavy reliance on volunteer teams for services and events.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month for churches up to 200 people, with tiers scaling to $299+/month for larger congregations (billed annually).
Conclusion
Evaluating the top tools reveals a range of solutions tailored to diverse church needs. Leading the pack is Planning Center, a comprehensive platform excelling in people tracking, events, and worship planning, making it the top choice. Breeze ChMS and ChurchTrac also stand out as strong alternatives—Breeze for its user-friendliness and ChurchTrac for its affordability, each offering unique value.
Take the first step to enhance your church’s efficiency: try Planning Center to experience its all-in-one capabilities, or explore Breeze and ChurchTrac if they better fit your community’s specific priorities.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison