Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - All-in-one church management platform for people management, service planning, giving, and check-ins.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - Simple and intuitive church management software for tracking members, events, attendance, and online giving.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable comprehensive church software for membership, contributions, events, and sermon management.
- 4#4: Rock RMS - Powerful open-source church management system with advanced customization for groups, giving, and workflows.
- 5#5: Subsplash - Church engagement platform providing custom mobile apps, online giving, and multimedia content delivery.
- 6#6: Servant Keeper - Robust church database software for membership tracking, fund accounting, and attendance records.
- 7#7: Tithe.ly - Modern digital giving platform with church management tools for donations, texting, and events.
- 8#8: CDM+ - Modular church management software covering accounting, attendance, and member communications.
- 9#9: Aplos - Cloud-based accounting and donation management software tailored for churches and nonprofits.
- 10#10: Faith Teams - Online volunteer scheduling and team management tool for church ministries and events.
These tools were selected based on their comprehensive features, intuitive design, proven reliability, and value, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of churches, from small gatherings to large ministries.
Comparison Table
This comparison table simplifies evaluating leading church management software, including tools like Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, ChurchTrac, Rock RMS, and Subsplash. It outlines key features—from communication and scheduling to donor management—helping readers identify the best fit for their church’s size and operational needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center All-in-one church management platform for people management, service planning, giving, and check-ins. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS Simple and intuitive church management software for tracking members, events, attendance, and online giving. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable comprehensive church software for membership, contributions, events, and sermon management. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Rock RMS Powerful open-source church management system with advanced customization for groups, giving, and workflows. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 5 | Subsplash Church engagement platform providing custom mobile apps, online giving, and multimedia content delivery. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Servant Keeper Robust church database software for membership tracking, fund accounting, and attendance records. | specialized | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Tithe.ly Modern digital giving platform with church management tools for donations, texting, and events. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | CDM+ Modular church management software covering accounting, attendance, and member communications. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 9 | Aplos Cloud-based accounting and donation management software tailored for churches and nonprofits. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Faith Teams Online volunteer scheduling and team management tool for church ministries and events. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
All-in-one church management platform for people management, service planning, giving, and check-ins.
Simple and intuitive church management software for tracking members, events, attendance, and online giving.
Affordable comprehensive church software for membership, contributions, events, and sermon management.
Powerful open-source church management system with advanced customization for groups, giving, and workflows.
Church engagement platform providing custom mobile apps, online giving, and multimedia content delivery.
Robust church database software for membership tracking, fund accounting, and attendance records.
Modern digital giving platform with church management tools for donations, texting, and events.
Modular church management software covering accounting, attendance, and member communications.
Cloud-based accounting and donation management software tailored for churches and nonprofits.
Online volunteer scheduling and team management tool for church ministries and events.
Planning Center
specializedAll-in-one church management platform for people management, service planning, giving, and check-ins.
Advanced worship planning in Services with interactive rehearsal players, setlists, and real-time collaboration for teams
Planning Center is a cloud-based suite of integrated tools tailored for churches, covering worship planning, people management (CRM), check-ins, groups, registrations, online giving, publishing, and online services. It enables seamless coordination from volunteer scheduling and rehearsal planning to event management and financial tracking. Churches can adopt modules individually, ensuring scalability without overwhelming smaller congregations.
Pros
- Seamless integration across all modules for end-to-end church operations
- Intuitive, modern interface with excellent mobile apps for check-ins and planning
- Outstanding worship planning tools including rehearsal players and chord charts
Cons
- Pricing can accumulate quickly with multiple modules and larger church sizes
- Steeper learning curve for mastering the full suite
- Limited offline functionality compared to some competitors
Best For
Growing churches and worship teams needing a scalable, modular all-in-one platform for planning, management, and engagement.
Pricing
Modular pricing: People is free up to 75 profiles; other modules like Services start at $59/month for up to 75 people, scaling with church size (e.g., $299+/month for 2,000+); no contracts, month-to-month.
Breeze ChMS
specializedSimple and intuitive church management software for tracking members, events, attendance, and online giving.
Rapid setup process that allows churches to be fully operational in under 15 minutes with guided onboarding.
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software tailored for small to medium-sized churches, offering tools for people management, event scheduling, online giving, check-ins, and communication. It simplifies administrative tasks with an intuitive interface, mobile app access, and seamless integrations for worship planning and volunteer management. Designed by church leaders, Breeze emphasizes ease of use to help teams focus on ministry rather than software complexity.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Outstanding customer support via chat, email, and phone
- Unlimited users and admins at a flat, predictable price
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting options
- Fewer integrations compared to enterprise-level competitors
- Best suited for smaller congregations; scales less optimally for mega-churches
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking a simple, affordable all-in-one solution with top-tier ease of use and support.
Pricing
Flat-rate starting at $72/month for up to 100 people, scaling to $167/month for 500+; includes unlimited users, support, and no setup fees.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable comprehensive church software for membership, contributions, events, and sermon management.
Unlimited giving records and transactions across all plans at no extra cost
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 simplifies administrative tasks with features like child check-in, small group management, and communication tools. The platform stands out for its affordability and straightforward design, enabling quick setup without extensive training.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing with unlimited users in higher plans
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Responsive customer support and frequent updates
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Fewer third-party integrations
- Mobile functionality is web-based rather than a full native app
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches needing a budget-friendly, easy-to-use solution for core management tasks without complex customization.
Pricing
Essentials ($37/mo for up to 75 people), Standard ($57/mo for up to 250), Premium ($97/mo unlimited), with 30-day free trial and low online giving fees.
Rock RMS
specializedPowerful open-source church management system with advanced customization for groups, giving, and workflows.
Unrivaled open-source customization through its block framework and Lava scripting language
Rock RMS is a robust, open-source church management software platform that provides comprehensive tools for people management, group coordination, event registration, financial giving, and secure child check-in. Built on a flexible block-based architecture with Lava templating, it allows extensive customization to fit unique church workflows without licensing fees. It supports mobile apps, communication tools, and reporting, making it ideal for data-driven ministries.
Pros
- Completely free open-source core with no licensing costs
- Highly customizable via blocks and Lava templating
- Industry-leading child check-in and volunteer management
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring technical expertise
- Self-hosting or paid managed hosting adds setup complexity
- Interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS alternatives
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches with technical staff seeking maximum customization and long-term cost savings.
Pricing
Free open-source software; optional costs for hosting ($500-$5,000+/year), implementation services, and premium support via partners.
Subsplash
specializedChurch engagement platform providing custom mobile apps, online giving, and multimedia content delivery.
Custom-branded native mobile apps that deliver a seamless, app-store-ready experience without coding
Subsplash is a comprehensive church management platform that provides custom-branded mobile apps, websites, online giving, event management, and engagement tools to help churches connect with their congregations digitally. It streamlines sermon streaming, attendance check-ins, messaging, and content delivery across multiple channels. Designed for modern churches, it emphasizes seamless member experiences and data-driven insights for growth.
Pros
- All-in-one solution with custom mobile apps and websites
- Powerful engagement tools like messaging and events
- Robust online giving with low fees and high conversion rates
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be expensive for small churches
- Custom setup requires initial time investment
- Limited free tier or trial options
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches seeking a professional, branded digital presence to boost engagement and giving.
Pricing
Custom pricing starts at ~$99/month for basic plans, scaling to $300+/month for full app bundles and enterprise features; annual contracts common.
Servant Keeper
specializedRobust church database software for membership tracking, fund accounting, and attendance records.
Advanced pledge and recurring giving tools with automated statements and donor recognition
Servant Keeper is a long-established church management software suite designed specifically for houses of worship, offering tools for member databases, contribution tracking, attendance records, event scheduling, and financial accounting. It supports both on-premise installations and cloud-based options through SKCloud, with strong emphasis on stewardship and giving management. The platform includes customizable reports, volunteer coordination, and basic communication features to help churches manage operations efficiently.
Pros
- Robust financial and contribution tracking with pledge management
- Reliable on-premise option for data security-conscious churches
- Strong customer support and training resources
Cons
- Dated Windows-based interface feels outdated
- Limited native mobile app and modern integrations
- Advanced features often require additional modules or setup
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches focused on detailed financial stewardship and contribution management that prioritize stability over flashy modern design.
Pricing
Free SK1 edition for up to 50 members; paid editions start at $250 one-time license or $49/month subscription, scaling by church size.
Tithe.ly
specializedModern digital giving platform with church management tools for donations, texting, and events.
One-tap giving via Apple Pay/Google Pay without requiring user accounts or apps
Tithe.ly is a church management software (ChMS) platform specializing in online giving, donor management, and basic administrative tools for churches. It provides seamless digital donation options like text-to-give, mobile app giving with Apple Pay/Google Pay, and kiosks, alongside features for people database, events, check-ins, and group management. The platform emphasizes mobility and simplicity, integrating with popular tools like Planning Center for enhanced workflows.
Pros
- Exceptionally easy online giving with text, app, and one-tap payments
- Mobile-first interface that's intuitive for admins and congregants
- Affordable entry-level pricing with scalable plans
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to full-suite competitors
- Some core ChMS features like sermons or volunteer scheduling require integrations
- Customer support can be inconsistent during peak times
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing simple, mobile-friendly giving and basic management without complex needs.
Pricing
Free for basic giving; ChMS plans start at $19/month (Essentials) + $1/active giver, up to $99/month (Pro) + $1/active giver; custom enterprise pricing available.
CDM+
enterpriseModular church management software covering accounting, attendance, and member communications.
Seamless multi-module integration for unified church-wide data management and fund accounting
CDM+ is a comprehensive, modular church management software designed for on-premise Windows installations, offering tools for membership tracking, contributions, attendance, accounting, event scheduling, and facility management. Churches can select and integrate specific modules like ADM for administration, CON for contributions, and FAC for facilities to fit their needs. It emphasizes robust reporting, fund accounting, and data security tailored to nonprofit church operations.
Pros
- Highly customizable modules for tailored church needs
- Strong integrated accounting and fund tracking
- Reliable on-premise data control with lifetime licensing option
Cons
- Dated Windows-only interface lacking modern mobile/cloud access
- Steep learning curve for new users
- No native integrations with popular third-party tools
Best For
Medium to large churches preferring customizable, on-premise software with advanced accounting over cloud-based simplicity.
Pricing
Modular one-time purchase starting at ~$1,000 per module, plus optional annual maintenance (~20% of license cost).
Aplos
enterpriseCloud-based accounting and donation management software tailored for churches and nonprofits.
Nonprofit-specific fund accounting that automatically categorizes and tracks restricted vs. unrestricted funds with multi-fund reporting.
Aplos is a cloud-based accounting and financial management platform tailored for nonprofits and churches, specializing in fund accounting, donor management, and online giving. It provides tools for tracking donations, automating bank reconciliations, generating compliance reports, and handling payroll. While strong in financial oversight, it integrates basic membership tracking but lacks broader church management features like events or groups.
Pros
- Specialized fund accounting for restricted/unrestricted funds
- Seamless online giving and donor tracking
- Robust reporting and audit-ready financials
Cons
- Limited non-financial church tools (e.g., no events or sermons)
- Learning curve for non-accountants
- Pricing adds up with add-ons
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches needing strong financial compliance and donor management without full ministry software.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for core accounting (billed annually); add-ons like payroll ($50+/month) and online giving extra; nonprofit discounts apply.
Faith Teams
specializedOnline volunteer scheduling and team management tool for church ministries and events.
Volunteer self-scheduling, where team members can view and claim shifts based on their real-time availability
Faith Teams is a cloud-based church management software focused on volunteer coordination, team scheduling, and ministry management. It enables churches to create teams, manage volunteer availability with self-scheduling, handle child check-ins, and facilitate event registrations. The platform also includes basic online giving and communication tools, making it streamlined for operational efficiency in smaller congregations.
Pros
- Intuitive volunteer self-scheduling and team management
- Mobile app for on-the-go access
- Affordable entry-level pricing
Cons
- Limited depth in member database and CRM features
- Basic reporting and analytics
- Fewer third-party integrations than top competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches focused on simplifying volunteer scheduling and team coordination.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for up to 75 active people; scales with church size (Essentials $49, Pro $99, Enterprise custom).
Conclusion
The top 3 church software tools showcased distinct strengths, with Planning Center emerging as the leading choice for its comprehensive all-in-one features. Breeze ChMS stood out for its intuitive design, ideal for those prioritizing ease of use, while ChurchTrac impressed with its affordability and robust functionality, catering to diverse needs. Together, they highlight the best options for streamlining church operations.
Explore Planning Center today—its integrated tools can elevate your church's management, ensuring seamless coordination across people, giving, and service planning for a thriving community.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison