Quick Overview
- 1#1: Aplos - Cloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits, managing donations, budgeting, payroll, and compliance reporting.
- 2#2: QuickBooks Online - Powerful accounting platform with nonprofit edition for tracking church contributions, expenses, fund accounting, and generating customizable financial reports.
- 3#3: PowerChurch Plus - Comprehensive on-premise church management software offering full accounting, member database, and contribution tracking features.
- 4#4: Breeze ChMS - User-friendly cloud-based church management system with integrated accounting for expenses, giving, and budgeting.
- 5#5: ChurchTrac - Affordable all-in-one cloud church software providing contribution tracking, expense management, and basic financial reporting.
- 6#6: CDM+ - Modular church database and accounting system supporting fund accounting, payroll, and multi-campus financial management.
- 7#7: Shelby - Scalable church management platform with advanced financial modules for general ledger, accounts payable, and donor reporting.
- 8#8: Church Windows - Dedicated Windows-based accounting software for churches handling budgeting, payroll, and detailed financial statements.
- 9#9: Servant Keeper - Cost-effective church software combining member management with accounting tools for giving, expenses, and year-end reports.
- 10#10: ACS Technologies - Established church administration suite featuring accounting, contribution management, and integrated reporting capabilities.
Tools were selected and ranked based on depth of accounting features, user-friendliness, integration with core functions like payroll and member management, and overall value, balancing functionality and accessibility for organizations of varying sizes.
Comparison Table
Church treasurers navigating financial management tools can find clarity in this comparison table, which includes popular options like Aplos, QuickBooks Online, PowerChurch Plus, Breeze ChMS, and ChurchTrac. It outlines key features, usability, and suitability to help readers identify the best fit for their church’s specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aplos Cloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits, managing donations, budgeting, payroll, and compliance reporting. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | QuickBooks Online Powerful accounting platform with nonprofit edition for tracking church contributions, expenses, fund accounting, and generating customizable financial reports. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 3 | PowerChurch Plus Comprehensive on-premise church management software offering full accounting, member database, and contribution tracking features. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 4 | Breeze ChMS User-friendly cloud-based church management system with integrated accounting for expenses, giving, and budgeting. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | ChurchTrac Affordable all-in-one cloud church software providing contribution tracking, expense management, and basic financial reporting. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 6 | CDM+ Modular church database and accounting system supporting fund accounting, payroll, and multi-campus financial management. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | Shelby Scalable church management platform with advanced financial modules for general ledger, accounts payable, and donor reporting. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Church Windows Dedicated Windows-based accounting software for churches handling budgeting, payroll, and detailed financial statements. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 9 | Servant Keeper Cost-effective church software combining member management with accounting tools for giving, expenses, and year-end reports. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 10 | ACS Technologies Established church administration suite featuring accounting, contribution management, and integrated reporting capabilities. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.8/10 |
Cloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits, managing donations, budgeting, payroll, and compliance reporting.
Powerful accounting platform with nonprofit edition for tracking church contributions, expenses, fund accounting, and generating customizable financial reports.
Comprehensive on-premise church management software offering full accounting, member database, and contribution tracking features.
User-friendly cloud-based church management system with integrated accounting for expenses, giving, and budgeting.
Affordable all-in-one cloud church software providing contribution tracking, expense management, and basic financial reporting.
Modular church database and accounting system supporting fund accounting, payroll, and multi-campus financial management.
Scalable church management platform with advanced financial modules for general ledger, accounts payable, and donor reporting.
Dedicated Windows-based accounting software for churches handling budgeting, payroll, and detailed financial statements.
Cost-effective church software combining member management with accounting tools for giving, expenses, and year-end reports.
Established church administration suite featuring accounting, contribution management, and integrated reporting capabilities.
Aplos
specializedCloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits, managing donations, budgeting, payroll, and compliance reporting.
Multi-fund accounting dashboard that automatically allocates donations to specific funds with visual tracking
Aplos is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for churches and nonprofits, providing comprehensive fund accounting, donor management, online giving, budgeting, and payroll features. It automates bank reconciliations, generates IRS-compliant reports like Form 990, and offers real-time financial dashboards for treasurers. Ideal for church financial management, it ensures accurate tracking of restricted and unrestricted funds while integrating seamlessly with popular payment processors.
Pros
- Robust fund accounting handles multiple restricted funds effortlessly
- Seamless integration with online giving platforms boosts donation tracking
- Comprehensive reporting tools for compliance and donor acknowledgments
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may strain very small church budgets
- Advanced customization requires some learning curve
- Payroll feature limited to US users only
Best For
Mid-sized churches and nonprofits needing an all-in-one solution for fund accounting, donations, and reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month for Core plan (basic accounting), $99/month for Premium (adds payroll and advanced reporting); annual discounts available.
QuickBooks Online
enterprisePowerful accounting platform with nonprofit edition for tracking church contributions, expenses, fund accounting, and generating customizable financial reports.
Class tracking that allows segmentation of transactions across multiple church funds without complex workarounds
QuickBooks Online is a versatile cloud-based accounting software that enables church treasurers to handle bookkeeping, expense tracking, invoicing, and financial reporting for nonprofit operations. It supports bank reconciliations, payroll processing, and customizable reports, making it adaptable for church finances with features like class tracking for managing multiple funds. While not purpose-built for churches, it integrates with donation platforms and offers robust tools for compliance and audit trails.
Pros
- Powerful class and location tracking for multi-fund church accounting
- Automated bank feeds and real-time reporting for efficient reconciliation
- Extensive app integrations including payroll and donation processors
Cons
- No native donation or pledge management tools requiring third-party add-ons
- Steep learning curve for non-accountants unfamiliar with general ledger concepts
- Higher pricing tiers needed for advanced church-specific customizations
Best For
Medium-sized churches with dedicated accounting staff needing scalable general ledger functionality alongside fund tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) up to $200/month (Advanced); nonprofit discounts and annual billing save up to 50%.
PowerChurch Plus
specializedComprehensive on-premise church management software offering full accounting, member database, and contribution tracking features.
Advanced multi-fund accounting that tracks unrestricted, restricted, and designated funds with precise donor allocation.
PowerChurch Plus is a Windows-based desktop church management software with strong financial tools tailored for church treasurers, including fund accounting, contribution tracking, budgeting, payroll, and accounts payable/receivable. It integrates these with membership, attendance, and event management for a complete solution. Designed for small to mid-sized churches, it emphasizes on-premise reliability without subscription fees.
Pros
- Perpetual license model with no recurring fees offers excellent long-term value
- Robust fund accounting handles multiple church funds and donor designations accurately
- Comprehensive reporting and audit trails for financial transparency
Cons
- Outdated interface typical of legacy desktop software feels clunky
- Windows-only with no native cloud or mobile access
- Steeper learning curve for non-accountants due to detailed setup
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches needing affordable, specialized on-premise fund accounting without ongoing subscriptions.
Pricing
One-time purchase from $495 (basic) to $1,295 (full edition), plus optional $150-$300 annual support.
Breeze ChMS
specializedUser-friendly cloud-based church management system with integrated accounting for expenses, giving, and budgeting.
Real-time online giving integration that automatically syncs donations, recurring gifts, and pledges into the database with instant receipt generation.
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software with a strong emphasis on streamlined giving and donation tracking, making it a solid choice for church treasurers. It handles online giving, recurring donations, pledge management, and generates customizable financial reports like year-to-date summaries and tax receipts. While not a full accounting suite, its treasurer-focused tools integrate seamlessly with people management for donor insights.
Pros
- Intuitive, no-training-required interface
- Unlimited admins and mobile access
- Low transaction fees on integrated online giving (2.9% + $0.30)
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting (no double-entry, payroll, or AP/AR)
- Basic budgeting and expense tracking tools
- Reporting lacks depth for complex financial analysis
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing simple, user-friendly donation tracking and basic financial reporting without a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 100 profiles; scales with size (e.g., $120 for 200, $208 for 500); no setup fees or contracts.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable all-in-one cloud church software providing contribution tracking, expense management, and basic financial reporting.
Church-specific fund accounting that automatically tracks designated giving and generates IRS-compliant reports
ChurchTrac is a cloud-based church management software with dedicated treasurer tools for tracking contributions, managing budgets, handling expenses, and generating financial reports tailored to nonprofit churches. It includes online giving integration, automated bank reconciliation, and fund accounting to streamline financial oversight. Ideal for small to mid-sized congregations, it combines treasurer functions with member database and attendance tracking in one platform.
Pros
- Affordable pricing scalable by church size
- Comprehensive fund accounting and detailed reporting
- Strong customer support with live chat and training resources
Cons
- Interface feels somewhat dated compared to modern competitors
- Limited advanced integrations with external payroll or banking apps
- Customization options for reports are basic
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking an all-in-one, budget-friendly solution for basic treasurer duties without complex accounting needs.
Pricing
Starts at $37/month for up to 75 members, $67/month for 150-300, up to $197/month for 1,000+ members; includes free trial and no setup fees.
CDM+
specializedModular church database and accounting system supporting fund accounting, payroll, and multi-campus financial management.
Sophisticated multi-fund accounting that seamlessly handles designated offerings, restricted funds, and church-specific voucher systems.
CDM+ is a long-established, on-premise church management software suite with robust accounting modules designed specifically for church treasurers. It excels in fund accounting, contribution tracking, payroll processing, budgeting, accounts payable/receivable, and detailed financial reporting tailored to nonprofit church operations. The modular design allows customization, supporting everything from offerings and pledges to general ledger management for mid-to-large congregations.
Pros
- Comprehensive fund accounting optimized for church finances with multi-fund tracking
- Powerful reporting and audit trail features for compliance
- Modular structure allows scaling to specific church needs with reliable vendor support
Cons
- Outdated interface feels clunky compared to modern cloud apps
- On-premise installation requires IT resources and maintenance
- Steeper learning curve and higher initial setup time
Best For
Mid-to-large churches needing detailed, customizable on-premise financial management without relying on cloud services.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing with one-time perpetual licenses starting at $1,500-$5,000 per module plus 15-20% annual maintenance/support fees.
Shelby
enterpriseScalable church management platform with advanced financial modules for general ledger, accounts payable, and donor reporting.
Sophisticated multi-fund accounting that automatically tracks and reports on designated giving, pledges, and expenses across unlimited funds.
Shelby Systems (shelby.systems) is a comprehensive church management platform with robust treasurer-focused tools for financial accounting, contribution tracking, payroll, and budgeting. Designed specifically for churches, it excels in fund accounting, allowing treasurers to manage multiple designated funds with detailed reporting and compliance features. The software offers both on-premise and cloud-based (ShelbyNext) options, integrating seamlessly with other church operations like membership and attendance.
Pros
- Powerful fund accounting for complex church finances
- Extensive reporting and audit-ready tools
- Scalable for growing congregations with strong integrations
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-accountants
- Pricing can be high for smaller churches
- Cloud version lacks some advanced mobile features
Best For
Mid-to-large churches requiring enterprise-level financial management and detailed fund tracking.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on modules and church size; ShelbyNext cloud starts around $200-$500/month, with on-premise requiring upfront licensing fees.
Church Windows
specializedDedicated Windows-based accounting software for churches handling budgeting, payroll, and detailed financial statements.
Advanced multi-fund accounting system that automatically tracks and reports on unlimited church-designated funds and sub-accounts
Church Windows is a longstanding church management software suite with robust accounting modules designed specifically for church treasurers, offering fund accounting, contribution tracking, payroll processing, and financial reporting. It supports on-premise installation for data security and integrates with other church admin tools. Primarily aimed at mid-sized congregations, it emphasizes compliance with nonprofit financial standards and detailed budgeting capabilities.
Pros
- Comprehensive fund accounting tailored for churches with unlimited funds and sub-funds
- Strong reporting tools for donations, expenses, and compliance
- Integrated payroll and accounts payable/receivable for streamlined treasurer workflows
Cons
- Outdated desktop interface with a steeper learning curve for non-tech users
- On-premise deployment requires IT maintenance and lacks full cloud mobility
- Custom pricing can be opaque and higher for smaller churches
Best For
Mid-sized churches with IT support needing detailed, compliant fund accounting and on-premise security.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on modules and church size; typically $500+ setup plus $100-300/month or perpetual licenses around $2,000-$5,000.
Servant Keeper
specializedCost-effective church software combining member management with accounting tools for giving, expenses, and year-end reports.
Advanced fund accounting system allowing unlimited funds, sub-funds, and automatic allocation for complex church budgeting.
Servant Keeper is a veteran church management software specializing in financial tools for treasurers, including contribution tracking, fund accounting, budgeting, and detailed reporting. It supports on-premise installations with optional cloud hosting, online giving portals, and integration for bank reconciliations. Designed for churches of all sizes, it emphasizes non-profit compliant accounting with customizable dashboards for oversight of tithes, offerings, and expenses.
Pros
- Robust multi-fund accounting with unlimited funds and sub-funds
- Comprehensive reporting and audit trails for financial transparency
- Reliable online giving and ACH processing integration
Cons
- Outdated interface that feels clunky compared to modern SaaS tools
- Primarily Windows desktop-focused with limited mobile accessibility
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches needing deep financial accounting capabilities and preferring stable, on-premise software over flashy cloud alternatives.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on church size; on-premise perpetual licenses start at $595 one-time plus $199/year support, cloud subscriptions from $250/month.
ACS Technologies
specializedEstablished church administration suite featuring accounting, contribution management, and integrated reporting capabilities.
Advanced multi-fund accounting that automatically tracks and allocates donations to unlimited designated funds with audit-ready reports
ACS Technologies offers comprehensive church management software with robust financial modules designed specifically for church treasurers, including fund accounting, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and contribution tracking. The platform integrates financial data with membership and attendance records for a holistic view of church operations. It's available in both on-premise and cloud-based (Realm) versions, catering to churches of various sizes seeking detailed financial oversight.
Pros
- Powerful fund accounting with unlimited funds and detailed reporting
- Seamless integration with church management tools for contributions and membership
- Strong compliance features for nonprofit financial standards
Cons
- Outdated interface in the core desktop version with a steep learning curve
- Higher pricing that may not suit small churches
- Limited modern mobile and real-time accessibility compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches with dedicated administrative staff needing advanced, integrated financial and operational management.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on church size and modules; typically $200–$1,000+/month for cloud subscriptions, with on-premise requiring upfront licensing fees.
Conclusion
The top 10 church treasurer software options present varied strengths, but Aplos leads as the top choice, offering specialized cloud-based solutions for donations, budgeting, payroll, and compliance—key needs for church finances. QuickBooks Online and PowerChurch Plus stand out as strong alternatives, with QuickBooks’ robust nonprofit features and PowerChurch Plus’ comprehensive on-premise capabilities suiting different organizational preferences.
Ready to simplify your church’s financial management? Start with Aplos today to experience a tailored, all-in-one tool that streamlines tasks, ensuring accuracy and focus on your community’s mission.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison