Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - Comprehensive church management platform for member database, worship planning, online giving, check-ins, and groups.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - User-friendly church management software for tracking people, events, giving, and volunteer scheduling with simple setup.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable cloud-based system for member management, attendance tracking, online giving, and event planning.
- 4#4: Rock RMS - Powerful open-source inspired church management tool for relationships, workflows, finances, and multi-campus support.
- 5#5: Subsplash - Church engagement platform with custom apps, online giving, church management, and media streaming capabilities.
- 6#6: Tithely - Church giving and management software featuring text-to-give, people database, events, and communication tools.
- 7#7: CDM+ - Modular church administration software for membership, accounting, attendance, and contribution tracking.
- 8#8: Elexio - Integrated church management solution for community building, financials, events, and online engagement.
- 9#9: Servant Keeper - Church database software for member records, fund accounting, online donations, and reporting.
- 10#10: FellowshipOne - Church management system providing database, check-in, giving, and small group management features.
We selected and ranked these tools by evaluating their feature depth, user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they deliver comprehensive support for tasks such as member tracking, giving, and event planning across diverse ministry scales.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right ministry management software—from Planning Center and Breeze ChMS to ChurchTrac, Rock RMS, and Subsplash—requires understanding key features, usability, and organizational fit. This comparison table simplifies that process, breaking down differences in functionality, support, and pricing to help readers identify the tool that aligns with their unique needs. Whether prioritizing ease of use, customization, or community tools, the table clarifies critical distinctions for informed decisions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center Comprehensive church management platform for member database, worship planning, online giving, check-ins, and groups. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS User-friendly church management software for tracking people, events, giving, and volunteer scheduling with simple setup. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable cloud-based system for member management, attendance tracking, online giving, and event planning. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Rock RMS Powerful open-source inspired church management tool for relationships, workflows, finances, and multi-campus support. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 5 | Subsplash Church engagement platform with custom apps, online giving, church management, and media streaming capabilities. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | Tithely Church giving and management software featuring text-to-give, people database, events, and communication tools. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 7 | CDM+ Modular church administration software for membership, accounting, attendance, and contribution tracking. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Elexio Integrated church management solution for community building, financials, events, and online engagement. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 9 | Servant Keeper Church database software for member records, fund accounting, online donations, and reporting. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | FellowshipOne Church management system providing database, check-in, giving, and small group management features. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive church management platform for member database, worship planning, online giving, check-ins, and groups.
User-friendly church management software for tracking people, events, giving, and volunteer scheduling with simple setup.
Affordable cloud-based system for member management, attendance tracking, online giving, and event planning.
Powerful open-source inspired church management tool for relationships, workflows, finances, and multi-campus support.
Church engagement platform with custom apps, online giving, church management, and media streaming capabilities.
Church giving and management software featuring text-to-give, people database, events, and communication tools.
Modular church administration software for membership, accounting, attendance, and contribution tracking.
Integrated church management solution for community building, financials, events, and online engagement.
Church database software for member records, fund accounting, online donations, and reporting.
Church management system providing database, check-in, giving, and small group management features.
Planning Center
specializedComprehensive church management platform for member database, worship planning, online giving, check-ins, and groups.
Real-time, collaborative worship service planning with integrated rehearsal mixes, chord charts, and volunteer scheduling across the entire suite
Planning Center is a comprehensive cloud-based church management software suite tailored for ministries, offering integrated tools for people management, worship service planning, event registration, group management, check-ins, online giving, and content publishing. It centralizes all church operations into a single platform with seamless data syncing across modules, enabling efficient ministry workflows from volunteer scheduling to attendee engagement. Designed specifically for churches, it supports teams in planning services, tracking attendance, and fostering community growth.
Pros
- Seamless integration across all modules eliminates data silos
- Intuitive interface with mobile apps for on-the-go access
- Robust worship planning tools with real-time collaboration and rehearsal resources
Cons
- Modular pricing can become expensive for churches using multiple services
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
- Limited advanced reporting compared to enterprise CRM systems
Best For
Churches and ministries of all sizes seeking an all-in-one, church-specific platform for worship planning, people management, and event coordination.
Pricing
Free for core People module (up to 50 profiles); additional services start at $19/month each (e.g., Services, Giving), with volume discounts for larger churches and no long-term contracts.
Breeze ChMS
specializedUser-friendly church management software for tracking people, events, giving, and volunteer scheduling with simple setup.
One-dashboard overview providing instant insights into attendance, giving, and engagement metrics
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software that simplifies ministry operations for churches of all sizes. It centralizes people management, event registration, attendance tracking, online giving, and communication tools in an intuitive platform. Designed for ease, it allows quick setup and mobile access, helping leaders focus on ministry rather than admin tasks.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive interface requiring minimal training
- Outstanding customer support with live chat and quick responses
- Seamless integrations for giving, events, and check-ins
Cons
- Reporting features lack depth for complex analytics
- Limited advanced customization for enterprise-level needs
- Scalability challenges for churches over 1,000 members
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking a straightforward, affordable all-in-one solution without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 50 people, scaling to $159/month for 500+; no contracts, setup fees, or per-user charges.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable cloud-based system for member management, attendance tracking, online giving, and event planning.
Integrated worship planning tools that combine song libraries, media cues, and live presentation controls in one seamless module
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one church management software tailored for small to medium-sized congregations, offering tools for member database management, attendance tracking, event scheduling, and online giving. It simplifies administrative tasks with features like child check-in, group management, worship planning, and financial reporting. The platform emphasizes affordability and ease of use, making it a practical choice for churches seeking comprehensive functionality without complexity.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing tiers scaled by church size
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Comprehensive core features including worship planning and child check-in
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting depth
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to enterprise competitors
- Mobile app functionality could be more robust
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing an affordable, user-friendly solution for everyday ministry management without advanced enterprise needs.
Pricing
Tiered plans start at $37/month (Essentials, up to 75 people), $97/month (Growth, up to 250), $197/month (Pro, up to 500), with annual discounts and a 30-day free trial.
Rock RMS
enterprisePowerful open-source inspired church management tool for relationships, workflows, finances, and multi-campus support.
Block-based architecture enabling unlimited drag-and-drop customization of pages, forms, and workflows without traditional coding.
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management software (ChMS) tailored for ministries, providing comprehensive tools for people management, event registration, online giving, child check-in, groups, and communication. It features a highly customizable platform built on a modern, block-based architecture that allows churches to tailor workflows and interfaces to their specific needs. With strong mobile apps and reporting capabilities, it's designed to scale from small congregations to large multi-campus organizations.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no feature limitations
- Extremely customizable via drag-and-drop blocks and Lava templating
- Robust feature set including CRM, giving, events, and volunteer management
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training
- Self-hosting demands technical expertise for setup and maintenance
- Interface can feel overwhelming and cluttered for beginners
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches with in-house technical resources seeking a highly customizable, no-cost ministry platform.
Pricing
Free open-source core; optional Rock Hosting from $99/month and premium support add-ons available.
Subsplash
specializedChurch engagement platform with custom apps, online giving, church management, and media streaming capabilities.
Custom native mobile apps with push notifications and full branding that rival consumer apps
Subsplash is a robust digital platform tailored for churches and ministries, providing custom-branded mobile apps, church websites, online giving, media streaming, event registration, and member engagement tools. It centralizes ministry operations by integrating communication, check-ins, groups, and analytics to foster community and streamline outreach. Ideal for enhancing digital presence, it supports live streaming, sermon libraries, and secure tithing to boost participation and generosity.
Pros
- Highly customizable mobile apps and websites for strong branding
- Seamless integration of giving, media, events, and engagement tools
- Powerful analytics for tracking attendance, giving, and engagement
Cons
- Pricing can be expensive for small churches
- Some advanced customizations require developer support
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy admins
Best For
Medium to large churches prioritizing digital engagement and custom apps to grow online community and giving.
Pricing
Custom pricing starts at ~$99/month for basic app features, scaling to $300+/month for full suites including unlimited installs and advanced tools.
Tithely
specializedChurch giving and management software featuring text-to-give, people database, events, and communication tools.
Text-to-Give, enabling instant donations via SMS with no app required
Tithely (tithe.ly) is a cloud-based church management platform primarily focused on streamlining online giving, people management, and engagement for ministries. It provides tools for secure digital donations, member databases, event management, child check-ins, and multi-channel communication including text-to-give. Designed for modern churches, it emphasizes mobile accessibility and quick setup to boost contributions and administrative efficiency.
Pros
- Exceptional online giving tools with high conversion rates and support for Apple Pay/Google Pay
- Intuitive, mobile-first interface that's quick to learn and deploy
- Affordable entry-level plans with no monthly fees for basic giving (just transaction fees)
Cons
- Reporting and analytics lack depth for larger churches
- Advanced features like full accounting require integrations or higher tiers
- Customer support can be inconsistent for non-premium users
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches prioritizing seamless digital giving and basic member engagement over enterprise-level customization.
Pricing
Free for basic giving (2.9% + $0.30/transaction); full management plans: Essentials $19/mo (50 records), Standard $59/mo (250), Premium $149/mo (1,000+), Enterprise custom.
CDM+
enterpriseModular church administration software for membership, accounting, attendance, and contribution tracking.
Seamlessly integrated fund accounting system designed specifically for nonprofit church finances
CDM+ is a longstanding church management software solution from CDM+ (cdmpo.com) that serves as a comprehensive Ministry Operating System for churches and ministries. It offers modular tools for membership management, contributions tracking, attendance records, event scheduling, accounting, and preschool/childcare operations. With both desktop and web-based access, it emphasizes deep integration and customization to handle complex ministry needs efficiently.
Pros
- Highly integrated modules including fund accounting
- Extensive reporting and customization options
- Reliable support with decades of church-specific experience
Cons
- Outdated desktop-first interface feels clunky
- Steep learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Limited native mobile app functionality
Best For
Mid-sized churches needing robust, customizable accounting and membership tools without relying on cloud-only platforms.
Pricing
Modular subscriptions starting at $99/month for basic packages, scaling to $300+/month based on modules and church size; one-time licenses also available with annual support fees.
Elexio
enterpriseIntegrated church management solution for community building, financials, events, and online engagement.
Secure, photo-based child check-in kiosks with custom labels and family grouping for enhanced safety during kids' ministries
Elexio is a cloud-based church management software (ChMS) tailored for ministries, offering tools to manage member databases, track attendance, handle online giving, and organize events. It includes features like child check-in kiosks, volunteer scheduling, communication via email/SMS, and basic accounting integration. Designed for ease of use, it supports small to mid-sized churches in streamlining administrative tasks while focusing on ministry growth.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Reliable online giving with low transaction fees
- Strong child check-in and security features
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Fewer integrations with third-party tools
- Mobile app functionality lags behind desktop version
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing an affordable, user-friendly platform for core ministry management without complex customizations.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month for up to 100 active records (billed annually), scaling to $199+/month for larger churches with per-record pricing.
Servant Keeper
specializedChurch database software for member records, fund accounting, online donations, and reporting.
Advanced fund accounting with automated reconciliation and IRS-compliant reporting for church finances
Servant Keeper is a longstanding church management software (ChMS) solution that helps ministries manage member databases, track contributions, monitor attendance, schedule events, and generate financial reports. It supports both on-premise installations and cloud-based access, with features like online giving, child check-in kiosks, and customizable reporting. Designed primarily for churches, it emphasizes reliable data handling and compliance with nonprofit financial standards.
Pros
- Comprehensive contribution and fund accounting tailored for churches
- Strong reporting and attendance tracking tools
- Affordable pricing with scalable options
Cons
- Dated user interface that feels clunky compared to modern alternatives
- Limited integrations with third-party apps
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing robust financial management and basic member tracking over sleek design.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month for up to 250 households, with higher tiers up to $299/month for larger churches; one-time purchase options available for on-premise.
FellowshipOne
specializedChurch management system providing database, check-in, giving, and small group management features.
Advanced contribution tracking and customizable financial reporting for detailed donor management and compliance.
FellowshipOne is a cloud-based church management software (ChMS) tailored for ministries, providing tools for member database management, online giving, event planning, attendance tracking, and volunteer coordination. It integrates financial accounting, communication features, and reporting to help churches streamline operations and discipleship efforts. The platform supports multi-campus churches and offers mobile accessibility via its GO app.
Pros
- Comprehensive member and financial management tools
- Reliable customer support and training resources
- Strong integration with accounting and online giving
Cons
- Dated user interface that feels clunky
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing scales quickly for larger congregations
Best For
Mid-sized churches seeking a robust, all-in-one solution for administrative and financial needs without prioritizing modern aesthetics.
Pricing
Starts at $114/month for up to 75 households; scales with record count (e.g., $300+/month for 500+ households), plus setup fees.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools each bring unique strengths, with Planning Center leading as the top choice for its comprehensive integration of member management, worship planning, giving, and more. Breeze ChMS and ChurchTrac stand out as strong alternatives, offering user-friendly setups and affordability to suit different operational needs. Together, they highlight the diversity of solutions available to elevate ministry efficiency.
Ready to transform your ministry? Planning Center’s robust features make it a standout—explore its tools today to simplify workflows and deepen connections within your community.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison