Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - Comprehensive modular church management platform for people database, online giving, event registration, worship planning, and check-ins.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - User-friendly cloud-based church management software for member tracking, donations, events, and communication.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable all-in-one church software for attendance tracking, online giving, volunteer scheduling, and member management.
- 4#4: Subsplash - Church engagement platform offering custom mobile apps, online giving, media streaming, and people management tools.
- 5#5: Tithe.ly - Mobile-first church giving platform supporting online, text-to-give, kiosk donations, and integrated church management.
- 6#6: Rock RMS - Free open-source church management system for relationship tracking, groups, events, check-ins, and financials.
- 7#7: Faith Teams - Church volunteer and staff scheduling software with mobile apps for teams, events, and communication.
- 8#8: Elvanto - Cloud-based church management tool for people records, event management, online giving, and volunteer coordination.
- 9#9: CDM+ - Robust church administration software handling accounting, membership, contributions, attendance, and events.
- 10#10: Aplos - Nonprofit accounting software for churches with fund accounting, donation tracking, budgeting, and reporting.
We ranked these tools based on comprehensive feature sets, intuitive usability, consistent performance, and strong value, ensuring they meet the multifaceted requirements of modern church non-profits.
Comparison Table
For church non-profits seeking the right management software, choices like Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, ChurchTrac, Subsplash, and Tithe.ly cater to diverse needs; this comparison table simplifies evaluation by highlighting key features, pricing, and usability to guide informed decisions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center Comprehensive modular church management platform for people database, online giving, event registration, worship planning, and check-ins. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS User-friendly cloud-based church management software for member tracking, donations, events, and communication. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable all-in-one church software for attendance tracking, online giving, volunteer scheduling, and member management. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 4 | Subsplash Church engagement platform offering custom mobile apps, online giving, media streaming, and people management tools. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Tithe.ly Mobile-first church giving platform supporting online, text-to-give, kiosk donations, and integrated church management. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Rock RMS Free open-source church management system for relationship tracking, groups, events, check-ins, and financials. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 7 | Faith Teams Church volunteer and staff scheduling software with mobile apps for teams, events, and communication. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Elvanto Cloud-based church management tool for people records, event management, online giving, and volunteer coordination. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 9 | CDM+ Robust church administration software handling accounting, membership, contributions, attendance, and events. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 10 | Aplos Nonprofit accounting software for churches with fund accounting, donation tracking, budgeting, and reporting. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 |
Comprehensive modular church management platform for people database, online giving, event registration, worship planning, and check-ins.
User-friendly cloud-based church management software for member tracking, donations, events, and communication.
Affordable all-in-one church software for attendance tracking, online giving, volunteer scheduling, and member management.
Church engagement platform offering custom mobile apps, online giving, media streaming, and people management tools.
Mobile-first church giving platform supporting online, text-to-give, kiosk donations, and integrated church management.
Free open-source church management system for relationship tracking, groups, events, check-ins, and financials.
Church volunteer and staff scheduling software with mobile apps for teams, events, and communication.
Cloud-based church management tool for people records, event management, online giving, and volunteer coordination.
Robust church administration software handling accounting, membership, contributions, attendance, and events.
Nonprofit accounting software for churches with fund accounting, donation tracking, budgeting, and reporting.
Planning Center
specializedComprehensive modular church management platform for people database, online giving, event registration, worship planning, and check-ins.
Real-time collaborative service planning with drag-and-drop rearrangements, integrated chord charts, and rehearsal media
Planning Center is a cloud-based suite of integrated applications tailored for churches, enabling seamless management of people, worship services, groups, events, check-ins, giving, and publishing. It excels in streamlining worship planning with drag-and-drop interfaces, real-time collaboration, and chord charts, while also handling CRM, online donations, and volunteer scheduling. This modular platform empowers church staff to focus on ministry rather than administration through its intuitive design and robust integrations.
Pros
- Seamless integration across all modules for a unified church management experience
- Exceptional worship service planning tools with real-time collaboration and media libraries
- User-friendly interface with mobile apps and customizable workflows
Cons
- Modular pricing structure can become expensive for churches using multiple apps
- Limited advanced reporting and customization compared to enterprise-level alternatives
- Steeper learning curve for maximizing all interconnected features
Best For
Churches of all sizes seeking a worship-focused, integrated platform to plan services, manage people, and handle giving efficiently.
Pricing
Free for People (CRM); additional apps priced per active adult/profile, starting at $14/month for Services (up to 75 people) and scaling with church size, with bundles available.
Breeze ChMS
specializedUser-friendly cloud-based church management software for member tracking, donations, events, and communication.
One-click child check-in kiosks with security labels and family grouping for safe, efficient children's ministry management
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software tailored for nonprofits, particularly churches, offering tools for contact management, online giving, event scheduling, volunteer coordination, and child check-in. It simplifies administrative tasks with a focus on accessibility and integration with tools like QuickBooks and Planning Center. Designed for ease, it enables churches to track attendance, donations, and communications without complex setups.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface requiring minimal training
- Affordable tiered pricing with no contracts or setup fees
- Strong customer support via chat, email, and phone
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- No native mobile app for full admin functionality
- Scalability challenges for very large churches (1,000+ attendees)
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking simple, cost-effective software to handle core administrative needs without a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 100 profiles, $100/month for 101-250, up to $159/month for 1,001+; unlimited users and giving included.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable all-in-one church software for attendance tracking, online giving, volunteer scheduling, and member management.
Worship Center for seamless service planning, song selection, and media management integrated directly with the platform
ChurchTrac is a comprehensive church management software tailored for nonprofits, particularly churches, offering tools for member databases, attendance tracking, event scheduling, online giving, worship planning, and basic accounting. It supports check-in systems for children's ministries, communication via email and SMS, and reporting features to streamline church operations. With a focus on affordability and simplicity, it's ideal for handling day-to-day administrative tasks without overwhelming complexity.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing suitable for small churches
- User-friendly interface with intuitive navigation
- Strong customer support and responsive helpdesk
Cons
- Dated user interface that feels less modern
- Limited integrations with third-party apps
- Some advanced reporting and customization options lacking
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing a budget-friendly, all-in-one solution for core management tasks.
Pricing
Plans start at $37/month (Essentials for up to 75 people), scaling to $297/month (Ultimate for 1,000+ people); 30-day free trial available.
Subsplash
specializedChurch engagement platform offering custom mobile apps, online giving, media streaming, and people management tools.
Custom-branded native mobile apps that provide a seamless, professional experience rivaling commercial apps
Subsplash is a comprehensive church management platform tailored for nonprofits, providing custom-branded mobile apps, online giving, church websites, media streaming, event management, and a people database for member engagement. It enables churches to extend their ministry digitally, streamline operations like check-ins and groups, and boost donations through integrated tools. As a top-tier solution ranked #4, it excels in creating seamless online-offline experiences for congregations.
Pros
- All-in-one platform covering apps, giving, websites, and media
- Highly customizable mobile apps with push notifications and engagement tools
- Robust online giving with low fees and recurring donation support
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small churches or startups
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Limited third-party integrations compared to some competitors
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches prioritizing professional mobile apps and digital engagement for growing congregations.
Pricing
Custom tiered pricing starting at ~$99/month for basic plans, scaling to $300+/month for full features based on congregation size and campuses.
Tithe.ly
specializedMobile-first church giving platform supporting online, text-to-give, kiosk donations, and integrated church management.
Text-to-Give functionality allowing instant donations via SMS without apps
Tithe.ly is a cloud-based church management software focused on simplifying online giving and donor engagement for nonprofits and churches. It offers tools for mobile giving, text-to-donate, kiosks, recurring donations, and basic church management features like people database, event registration, and sermon management. The platform integrates seamlessly with church websites and apps, making it easy to track contributions and communicate with members.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile and text-to-give options that boost donor participation
- Quick setup with no contracts and free basic giving tools
- Strong integration with popular church websites and apps
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30) can add up for high-volume churches
- Advanced reporting and custom features require higher-tier plans
- Limited depth in full CRM compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing easy digital giving and donor engagement over complex management needs.
Pricing
Free for basic online giving (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction); Church Management plans start at $19/mo (Essentials) up to $159/mo (Professional), plus processing fees.
Rock RMS
specializedFree open-source church management system for relationship tracking, groups, events, check-ins, and financials.
Lava templating engine for dynamic, code-free customization of emails, websites, and reports without vendor dependencies
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management platform tailored for churches and non-profits, providing comprehensive tools for member management, group coordination, event scheduling, online giving, attendance tracking, and child check-in. Its flexible architecture allows churches to customize workflows, reports, and interfaces using a low-code system called Lava templating. With strong mobile apps and integrations, it supports multi-campus operations and scales well for growing congregations.
Pros
- Completely free with no usage limits or hidden fees
- Highly customizable with low-code tools and open-source flexibility
- Robust feature set including advanced reporting and multi-campus support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Community-driven support rather than dedicated enterprise helpdesk
- Customization requires time investment for optimal setup
Best For
Tech-savvy church leaders or IT-equipped staff at mid-sized to large congregations seeking a scalable, no-cost customizable solution.
Pricing
Free forever (open-source); optional paid add-ons for hosting, premium support, or custom development starting at $99/month.
Faith Teams
specializedChurch volunteer and staff scheduling software with mobile apps for teams, events, and communication.
Advanced volunteer self-scheduling portal that allows teams to swap shifts and manage availability independently
Faith Teams is a church management software specializing in volunteer scheduling, coordination, and ministry team management. It provides tools for event check-ins, attendance tracking, communication via text/email, and background screening integrations. Designed for churches, it streamlines operations to help leaders focus on ministry rather than administration.
Pros
- Powerful volunteer scheduling with self-signup and reminders
- Fast and reliable check-in kiosks for events and kids ministry
- User-friendly interface with strong mobile app support
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to competitors
- Basic CRM and people database functionality
- Fewer third-party integrations
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches focused on efficient volunteer management and event coordination.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for small churches (up to 100 volunteers), with tiered plans scaling to $99+/month based on size and features; free trial available.
Elvanto
specializedCloud-based church management tool for people records, event management, online giving, and volunteer coordination.
Advanced volunteer rostering with automated reminders and availability tracking
Elvanto is a cloud-based church management software tailored for non-profits, particularly churches, offering tools for managing contacts, events, groups, volunteering, online giving, and child check-ins. It provides a centralized database for member information, volunteer scheduling, and attendance tracking to streamline church operations. The platform emphasizes ease of use with mobile apps and integrates well within the Planning Center ecosystem for enhanced functionality.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Strong volunteer rostering and scheduling tools
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for small churches
Cons
- Reporting capabilities are somewhat basic compared to competitors
- Limited advanced customization options
- Some features require integration with other Planning Center apps
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking straightforward people management and event coordination without complex setups.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 profiles; $29/month for 76-250 profiles; $59/month for 251-500; scales up to enterprise plans.
CDM+
enterpriseRobust church administration software handling accounting, membership, contributions, attendance, and events.
Sophisticated fund accounting module designed specifically for church non-profit financial compliance and tracking.
CDM+ is a comprehensive, on-premise church management software suite tailored for churches and non-profits, offering modules for membership tracking, contributions, fund accounting, attendance, events, and nursery check-in. It provides robust financial management tools with detailed reporting and customization to handle complex church operations. Primarily Windows-based with client-server architecture, it emphasizes data security and long-term reliability for established organizations.
Pros
- Extensive modular feature set covering all church needs
- Powerful fund accounting and financial reporting
- High customizability for reports and workflows
Cons
- Dated Windows-only interface with steep learning curve
- No native cloud/SaaS option, requiring on-premise setup
- Limited mobile accessibility and integrations
Best For
Mid-sized churches or non-profits preferring robust, customizable on-premise software for detailed financial and membership management.
Pricing
Modular pricing starts at ~$2,500 for base system plus $1,000+ per additional module; includes one-time license fees with optional annual maintenance (~15-20%).
Aplos
enterpriseNonprofit accounting software for churches with fund accounting, donation tracking, budgeting, and reporting.
Intelligent fund accounting that automatically categorizes and tracks donations by fund restrictions
Aplos is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for nonprofits and churches, providing fund accounting, donor management, online giving, and financial reporting tools. It automates bookkeeping, tracks restricted and unrestricted funds, and integrates with popular payment processors for seamless donation processing. Ideal for small to mid-sized faith-based organizations, it offers real-time dashboards and compliance-ready reports to simplify nonprofit financial management.
Pros
- Specialized fund accounting for restricted/unrestricted funds
- Integrated online giving and donor tracking
- User-friendly dashboards and automated reporting
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for advanced features
- Limited advanced CRM and event management
- Occasional delays in customer support response
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches needing straightforward fund accounting and online donation tools without complex enterprise requirements.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month (Basic), $99/month (Premium), $159/month (Unlimited); annual discounts available, plus transaction fees for giving.
Conclusion
After examining the top options, Planning Center emerges as the clear leader, offering a comprehensive modular platform that seamlessly integrates people management, giving, events, and more. Breeze ChMS and ChurchTrac follow closely, with Breeze impressing for its user-friendly cloud-based design and ChurchTrac standing out as an affordable all-in-one solution; each tool caters to distinct needs, ensuring churches of all sizes can find effective support. Together, these top three redefine what church software can achieve, prioritizing efficiency and community engagement.
Take the next step in streamlining your church’s operations—explore Planning Center to leverage its integrated features and transform how you serve your community.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison