Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - Comprehensive church management platform with advanced volunteer scheduling, self-signups, reminders, and mobile apps.
- 2#2: Breeze - User-friendly church database software featuring simple volunteer scheduling based on skills, availability, and preferences.
- 3#3: Rock RMS - Free open-source church management system with powerful volunteer team scheduling, check-ins, and workflow automation.
- 4#4: ChurchTrac - Affordable all-in-one church software providing volunteer scheduling, event management, and attendance tracking.
- 5#5: Elvanto - Church rostering tool for scheduling volunteers, managing events, and sending notifications seamlessly.
- 6#6: Subsplash - Church engagement platform with integrated volunteer scheduling and ministry management features.
- 7#7: SignUpGenius - Free online sign-up sheets for coordinating church volunteers, potlucks, and service rotations easily.
- 8#8: VolunteerHub - Volunteer management software with scheduling calendars, opportunities, and reporting suitable for churches.
- 9#9: TimeToSignUp - Free tool for building volunteer sign-up schedules and calendars for church services and events.
- 10#10: WhenToHelp - Online scheduler for creating volunteer sign-up calendars and managing recurring church volunteer shifts.
We evaluated these tools based on features like automation, flexibility, and integration capabilities; quality of user experience; and overall value, ensuring each option delivers practical, reliable support for church volunteer teams.
Comparison Table
Efficiently managing volunteer schedules is vital for church operations, and selecting the right software requires careful consideration. This comparison table explores top tools like Planning Center, Breeze, Rock RMS, ChurchTrac, and Elvanto, guiding readers to understand key features, usability, and fit for their community’s needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center Comprehensive church management platform with advanced volunteer scheduling, self-signups, reminders, and mobile apps. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | Breeze User-friendly church database software featuring simple volunteer scheduling based on skills, availability, and preferences. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Rock RMS Free open-source church management system with powerful volunteer team scheduling, check-ins, and workflow automation. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 10.0/10 |
| 4 | ChurchTrac Affordable all-in-one church software providing volunteer scheduling, event management, and attendance tracking. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 5 | Elvanto Church rostering tool for scheduling volunteers, managing events, and sending notifications seamlessly. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 6 | Subsplash Church engagement platform with integrated volunteer scheduling and ministry management features. | enterprise | 7.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 4.8/10 |
| 7 | SignUpGenius Free online sign-up sheets for coordinating church volunteers, potlucks, and service rotations easily. | other | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 8 | VolunteerHub Volunteer management software with scheduling calendars, opportunities, and reporting suitable for churches. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 5.8/10 |
| 9 | TimeToSignUp Free tool for building volunteer sign-up schedules and calendars for church services and events. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | WhenToHelp Online scheduler for creating volunteer sign-up calendars and managing recurring church volunteer shifts. | other | 7.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
Comprehensive church management platform with advanced volunteer scheduling, self-signups, reminders, and mobile apps.
User-friendly church database software featuring simple volunteer scheduling based on skills, availability, and preferences.
Free open-source church management system with powerful volunteer team scheduling, check-ins, and workflow automation.
Affordable all-in-one church software providing volunteer scheduling, event management, and attendance tracking.
Church rostering tool for scheduling volunteers, managing events, and sending notifications seamlessly.
Church engagement platform with integrated volunteer scheduling and ministry management features.
Free online sign-up sheets for coordinating church volunteers, potlucks, and service rotations easily.
Volunteer management software with scheduling calendars, opportunities, and reporting suitable for churches.
Free tool for building volunteer sign-up schedules and calendars for church services and events.
Online scheduler for creating volunteer sign-up calendars and managing recurring church volunteer shifts.
Planning Center
specializedComprehensive church management platform with advanced volunteer scheduling, self-signups, reminders, and mobile apps.
Unlimited free scheduling tailored to church worship positions with built-in rehearsal planning and conflict avoidance
Planning Center Services is a church-focused volunteer scheduling software designed specifically for worship services and events, allowing leaders to create plans, assign volunteers to positions like worship team, tech, or ushering, and manage rehearsals with a drag-and-drop interface. It supports unlimited services, volunteers, and teams at no cost, with features like automated email/SMS notifications, volunteer self-scheduling via mobile app, and conflict detection. As the free core of the Planning Center suite, it scales seamlessly for small to large churches while integrating with paid modules for enhanced CRM and communication.
Pros
- Completely free for unlimited volunteers, services, and teams
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with church-specific positions and rehearsals
- Robust notifications, mobile app, and volunteer self-management tools
Cons
- Advanced integrations and reporting require paid add-ons
- Initial setup and customization can take time for complex teams
- Limited standalone reporting without People module
Best For
Churches of any size needing a free, purpose-built tool for worship volunteer scheduling without usage limits.
Pricing
Services module is free forever; optional add-ons like Publishing or People start at $14/month.
Breeze
specializedUser-friendly church database software featuring simple volunteer scheduling based on skills, availability, and preferences.
Volunteer self-serve portal enabling sign-ups, swaps, and availability management without admin intervention
Breeze is a comprehensive cloud-based church management software (ChMS) tailored for churches, with strong volunteer scheduling capabilities that allow admins to create rotas, post opportunities, and manage sign-ups efficiently. Volunteers can access a self-serve portal via web or mobile app to view availability, claim shifts, and receive automated reminders, reducing administrative burden. It integrates scheduling seamlessly with people management, events, giving, and communication tools for holistic church operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Volunteer self-signup portal with mobile access
- Automated notifications and conflict detection
Cons
- No permanent free plan (only 30-day trial)
- Pricing scales with church size, costly for larger congregations
- Limited advanced reporting customization
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing an easy-to-use, integrated platform for volunteer scheduling alongside full church management.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month (billed annually) for up to 100 people, with tiers up to $399/month for 2,500+; includes free 30-day trial and no setup fees.
Rock RMS
specializedFree open-source church management system with powerful volunteer team scheduling, check-ins, and workflow automation.
Seamless integration of volunteer scheduling with full CRM and automation workflows
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management system (ChMS) that provides comprehensive volunteer scheduling tools tailored for churches. It enables creating schedules for services, events, and ministries with features like self sign-ups, rotations, substitutions, and automated communications. Integrated with broader church tools such as people management, attendance tracking, and giving, it offers a full ecosystem for volunteer coordination without licensing costs.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no usage limits
- Robust scheduling with sign-ups, workflows, and integrations
- Highly customizable for complex church volunteer needs
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Requires technical setup for self-hosting
- Overkill for churches needing only basic scheduling
Best For
Mid-sized churches seeking a free, all-in-one ChMS with advanced volunteer scheduling capabilities.
Pricing
100% free open-source software; optional paid cloud hosting starts at $29/month.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable all-in-one church software providing volunteer scheduling, event management, and attendance tracking.
Integrated volunteer scheduling directly tied to a centralized people database for quick assignments and availability checks
ChurchTrac is a comprehensive church management software with a free plan tailored for small congregations, offering volunteer scheduling for services, events, and ministries. It allows users to track availability, assign roles based on skills, and send notifications via email or SMS directly from the platform. Beyond scheduling, it includes member databases, check-in systems, online giving, and event management, providing an all-in-one solution for basic church operations.
Pros
- Generous free plan for churches with up to 200 weekly attendances
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Strong integration with member management and communication tools
Cons
- Free plan caps at 200 attendances, limiting scalability
- Lacks advanced automation like auto-rotations or conflict detection
- Some features like custom reports require paid upgrade
Best For
Small churches with under 200 weekly attendees needing a free, easy-to-use volunteer scheduler bundled with essential management tools.
Pricing
Free forever for up to 200 weekly attendances; paid plans start at $37/month for larger churches with more features.
Elvanto
specializedChurch rostering tool for scheduling volunteers, managing events, and sending notifications seamlessly.
Volunteer self-roster signup, allowing team members to view availability and claim shifts independently
Elvanto is a cloud-based church management software platform with robust volunteer scheduling tools designed for churches of all sizes. It enables leaders to create rotas, assign volunteers to services and events, and facilitate self-signups and shift swaps via an intuitive interface. The free plan supports basic scheduling needs for small congregations, with paid upgrades unlocking advanced features like reporting and integrations.
Pros
- Generous free plan for small churches (up to 75 people profiles)
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and volunteer self-roster features
- Mobile app for on-the-go management and notifications
Cons
- Free version lacks advanced reporting and unlimited profiles
- Integrations require paid plans
- Occasional glitches in team communication tools
Best For
Small churches seeking a free, user-friendly solution for basic volunteer rostering and event scheduling without complex setup.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 people profiles; paid plans start at $29/month for 200 profiles, scaling up based on church size.
Subsplash
enterpriseChurch engagement platform with integrated volunteer scheduling and ministry management features.
Custom church app integration allowing volunteers to view, sign up for, and manage shifts on mobile devices
Subsplash is a comprehensive church management platform that includes volunteer scheduling tools for creating opportunities, managing rotas, and enabling self-signups through a custom mobile app. It integrates scheduling with engagement features like push notifications, messaging, and check-ins to streamline volunteer coordination. Designed for churches of all sizes, it emphasizes seamless communication and mobile accessibility but is part of a broader paid suite rather than a standalone free tool.
Pros
- Integrated mobile app for easy volunteer self-scheduling and notifications
- Strong communication tools like group messaging and reminders
- Scalable for growing churches with event and check-in integration
Cons
- Not free; requires subscription starting at $99/month
- Overkill for churches needing only basic scheduling
- Customization limited without higher-tier plans
Best For
Mid-sized churches seeking an all-in-one management platform with volunteer scheduling as a key component.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at $99/month for basic plans, scaling to $300+/month for full features based on church size and modules.
SignUpGenius
otherFree online sign-up sheets for coordinating church volunteers, potlucks, and service rotations easily.
Simple, customizable sign-up sheets that support time slots, multiple roles, and item requests in one sheet
SignUpGenius is a user-friendly online platform designed for creating customizable sign-up sheets to coordinate volunteers for events, shifts, and tasks. For churches, it excels at scheduling volunteers for services, ministries, potlucks, and community outreach by allowing easy self-sign-ups with time slots and item requests. The free version provides core functionality like email reminders and mobile access, making it accessible for basic volunteer management without advanced scheduling tools.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited sign-up sheets and participants
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick setup
- Automated email reminders and confirmations to reduce no-shows
Cons
- Free version includes ads and lacks advanced customization like branding
- Limited reporting and analytics compared to dedicated scheduling tools
- No built-in calendar integration or automatic conflict detection
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking a simple, no-cost solution for one-off event and volunteer shift sign-ups.
Pricing
Free Lite plan with core features; paid plans start at $11.99/month (billed annually) for ad-free experience, custom branding, and advanced reports.
VolunteerHub
enterpriseVolunteer management software with scheduling calendars, opportunities, and reporting suitable for churches.
Smart waitlisting and group sign-up features that automatically fill slots and notify backups
VolunteerHub is a robust volunteer management platform tailored for non-profits, including churches, enabling easy creation of volunteer opportunities, online sign-ups, and automated scheduling. It facilitates communication through emails and texts, attendance tracking, and detailed reporting to streamline church volunteer coordination. While feature-rich, it lacks a perpetual free plan, positioning it more as a paid solution with a free trial.
Pros
- Intuitive online sign-up sheets with group and waitlist options
- Automated reminders and mobile accessibility for volunteers
- Comprehensive reporting and hour tracking for church admins
Cons
- No truly free plan; requires paid subscription for full use
- Custom pricing can be opaque and higher for larger churches
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
Best For
Mid-sized churches needing scalable scheduling tools and willing to invest beyond free options.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting around $100/month based on volunteer volume; 30-day free trial available, no perpetual free tier.
TimeToSignUp
otherFree tool for building volunteer sign-up schedules and calendars for church services and events.
Effortless one-click volunteer signups via shareable links, no login required
TimeToSignUp is a free online volunteer scheduling tool that enables churches to create customizable sign-up sheets for services, events, and ministries. Organizers can set up shifts, roles, and limits quickly, while volunteers sign up via a simple shared link without needing accounts. It includes email reminders, basic reports, and mobile access, making coordination straightforward for small teams.
Pros
- Completely free with unlimited sign-up sheets and no ads
- Intuitive interface for rapid setup and sharing via links
- Automatic email reminders and confirmations for volunteers
Cons
- Limited advanced features like auto-scheduling or conflict detection
- Few integrations with church management systems
- Basic customization and reporting options
Best For
Small to medium churches needing a no-cost, hassle-free solution for basic volunteer signups at events and services.
Pricing
Free forever plan with core features; premium upgrades from $15/month for advanced options like custom branding and priority support.
WhenToHelp
otherOnline scheduler for creating volunteer sign-up calendars and managing recurring church volunteer shifts.
Unlimited free sign-up sheets and volunteers with no usage caps
WhenToHelp is a free online volunteer scheduling platform that enables churches to create simple sign-up sheets for services, events, and ministries. Volunteers can self-sign up via a shareable web link, with automated email notifications and reminders reducing administrative burden. It's particularly suited for small to medium-sized groups needing basic coordination without complex features.
Pros
- Completely free with unlimited volunteers and sign-up sheets
- Quick and intuitive setup for sign-up sheets
- Automated email reminders and confirmations
Cons
- Limited advanced features like skills matching or detailed reporting
- Basic customization options in the free version
- No dedicated mobile app, relying on web access
Best For
Small churches or ministries seeking a no-cost, straightforward tool for volunteer self-signups.
Pricing
Free forever for core features; paid Team plans start at $19/month for branding, multiple admins, and enhanced support.
Conclusion
Among the reviewed free church volunteer scheduling tools, Planning Center leads as the top choice, boasting a comprehensive platform with advanced features. Breeze and Rock RMS also shine, offering user-friendly interfaces and unique strengths—Breeze for personalized scheduling, Rock RMS for open-source flexibility—making them excellent alternatives based on specific needs. Together, these tools simplify the process of coordinating church volunteers, ensuring effective and efficient team management.
Take the first step toward streamlining your church's volunteer efforts by trying Planning Center today; its robust features will help you build a seamless, reliable schedule that supports your community's needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
