Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - Modular church management suite for people database, worship planning, online giving, check-ins, and events.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - Simple, affordable church management software for member tracking, events, giving, and communication.
- 3#3: Church Community Builder - Engagement-focused platform for church management, small groups, volunteer coordination, and next steps.
- 4#4: Subsplash - Digital church platform providing custom apps, online giving, media hosting, and engagement tools.
- 5#5: Tithe.ly - Powerful online giving platform with church management features for donations, people, and events.
- 6#6: Rock RMS - Flexible, open-source church management system for relationships, finances, and ministry workflows.
- 7#7: ChurchTrac - All-in-one, affordable online software for church directories, events, giving, and attendance tracking.
- 8#8: PowerChurch Plus - Comprehensive church accounting, membership, and attendance management software.
- 9#9: CDM+ - Robust church database for membership, contributions, attendance, and fund accounting.
- 10#10: ShelbyNext - Cloud-based church management for people, giving, events, and financial reporting.
We selected these tools based on a blend of functionality (from attendance tracking to financial reporting), ease of use, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they deliver exceptional support across varied ministry sizes and workflows
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores key features of popular ministry software tools, such as Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, Church Community Builder, Subsplash, Tithe.ly, and more. It equips readers to evaluate each platform’s usability, core functions, and unique value to identify the best fit for their church’s operations. With a focus on essential criteria, the table simplifies the process of choosing the right ministry software solution.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center Modular church management suite for people database, worship planning, online giving, check-ins, and events. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS Simple, affordable church management software for member tracking, events, giving, and communication. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | Church Community Builder Engagement-focused platform for church management, small groups, volunteer coordination, and next steps. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Subsplash Digital church platform providing custom apps, online giving, media hosting, and engagement tools. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 5 | Tithe.ly Powerful online giving platform with church management features for donations, people, and events. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 6 | Rock RMS Flexible, open-source church management system for relationships, finances, and ministry workflows. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 7 | ChurchTrac All-in-one, affordable online software for church directories, events, giving, and attendance tracking. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 8 | PowerChurch Plus Comprehensive church accounting, membership, and attendance management software. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | CDM+ Robust church database for membership, contributions, attendance, and fund accounting. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | ShelbyNext Cloud-based church management for people, giving, events, and financial reporting. | enterprise | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
Modular church management suite for people database, worship planning, online giving, check-ins, and events.
Simple, affordable church management software for member tracking, events, giving, and communication.
Engagement-focused platform for church management, small groups, volunteer coordination, and next steps.
Digital church platform providing custom apps, online giving, media hosting, and engagement tools.
Powerful online giving platform with church management features for donations, people, and events.
Flexible, open-source church management system for relationships, finances, and ministry workflows.
All-in-one, affordable online software for church directories, events, giving, and attendance tracking.
Comprehensive church accounting, membership, and attendance management software.
Robust church database for membership, contributions, attendance, and fund accounting.
Cloud-based church management for people, giving, events, and financial reporting.
Planning Center
specializedModular church management suite for people database, worship planning, online giving, check-ins, and events.
Real-time service planning with drag-and-drop rearrangements that instantly update plansheets, songs, and volunteer schedules across the entire team.
Planning Center is a comprehensive, cloud-based suite of ministry software tools tailored for churches and worship ministries. It includes integrated apps for service planning, people management, check-ins, groups, registrations, giving, and publishing, enabling seamless coordination of worship services, volunteers, events, and finances. Designed with ministries in mind, it streamlines administrative tasks while fostering team collaboration through real-time updates and mobile accessibility.
Pros
- Seamless integration across all modules for unified church management
- Intuitive drag-and-drop service planning with real-time updates
- Excellent mobile apps and volunteer self-check-in capabilities
- Robust reporting and customization options
Cons
- Modular pricing can add up for full-suite access
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited free tier scalability for very large churches
Best For
Medium to large churches and worship teams seeking an all-in-one platform for planning services, managing people, and handling events with high customization.
Pricing
Modular subscription starting free for core apps (e.g., Services forever free), with paid tiers from $14/month per app based on profiles/attendees (e.g., People: $19-$89/month).
Breeze ChMS
specializedSimple, affordable church management software for member tracking, events, giving, and communication.
Unlimited live chat support from real team members, available during business hours for instant assistance
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software designed to simplify ministry operations for churches of all sizes. It provides essential tools for managing people databases, tracking attendance and check-ins, processing online giving, scheduling events and volunteers, and sending communications. With a strong emphasis on ease of use, Breeze enables quick setup and operation without extensive training, making it accessible for non-technical church staff.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Exceptional live chat customer support
- Unlimited users and no long-term contracts
Cons
- Reporting features lack advanced customization
- Limited integrations compared to enterprise solutions
- Pricing scales quickly for larger congregations
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing a straightforward, affordable all-in-one ChMS without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 100 people profiles; $50 per additional 100 profiles, billed monthly with no contracts.
Church Community Builder
specializedEngagement-focused platform for church management, small groups, volunteer coordination, and next steps.
Advanced Workflow Builder for automating personalized follow-ups and engagement processes
Church Community Builder (CCB) is a robust church management software (ChMS) tailored for ministries, offering tools to manage people databases, small groups, events, attendance, and online giving. It excels in fostering community through features like automated workflows, child check-in with security tags, and volunteer coordination. The platform provides reporting, communication via email/SMS, and a mobile app for accessibility, making it suitable for churches focused on discipleship and engagement.
Pros
- Comprehensive people and groups management with strong discipleship tools
- Secure child check-in and event management
- Customizable workflows and detailed reporting
Cons
- Dated interface with a learning curve for new users
- Pricing scales quickly for larger churches
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized churches emphasizing small group ministry and community building.
Pricing
Starts at $157/month for up to 200 profiles, with tiered pricing scaling to $500+/month based on congregation size; includes a free trial.
Subsplash
specializedDigital church platform providing custom apps, online giving, media hosting, and engagement tools.
Custom-branded native mobile apps for iOS and Android with push notifications and personalized content
Subsplash is an all-in-one ministry software platform tailored for churches, providing custom-branded mobile apps, church websites, online giving, event registration, media streaming, and engagement tools. It streamlines church operations by integrating people database management, check-ins, and communication features into a single ecosystem. Designed to help ministries connect with their congregation digitally, Subsplash emphasizes seamless member experiences across devices.
Pros
- Comprehensive suite including custom mobile apps and integrated giving
- Strong focus on engagement with push notifications and media hosting
- Scalable for multi-campus churches with robust analytics
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller churches
- Learning curve for advanced customizations
- Some features require add-ons or higher tiers
Best For
Mid-to-large churches seeking a professional, branded digital platform to unify their online presence and member engagement.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at ~$99/month for basic bundles, scaling to $300+/month for full platform with apps; enterprise options available.
Tithe.ly
specializedPowerful online giving platform with church management features for donations, people, and events.
Text-to-give functionality allowing instant donations via SMS without needing an app
Tithe.ly is a cloud-based church management platform specializing in online giving, donor management, and basic ministry tools for churches of all sizes. It enables seamless digital donations via website, text-to-give, kiosks, and mobile apps, while also offering features like people database, event registration, and attendance tracking. The software integrates with popular tools like QuickBooks and Planning Center to enhance church operations and financial stewardship.
Pros
- Intuitive online and text-to-give options that boost donation rates
- No monthly fees for core giving platform (transaction-based pricing)
- Strong mobile accessibility for both admins and donors
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise competitors
- Church management features feel basic for larger congregations
- Customer support response times can vary during peak seasons
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing simple, mobile-first giving solutions over comprehensive all-in-one management.
Pricing
Giving platform is free for churches (2.85% + $0.30 per transaction); Church Management starts at $19/month for basic plans, scaling to $99+/month for advanced features.
Rock RMS
specializedFlexible, open-source church management system for relationships, finances, and ministry workflows.
Open-source architecture enabling full customization and scalability without vendor lock-in or extra fees
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management system (ChMS) tailored for ministries, providing comprehensive tools for member engagement, event management, financial tracking, and volunteer coordination. It features a robust CRM, mobile check-in for children, online giving, groups and small groups management, and communication workflows. The platform's modular design supports extensive customization to fit diverse church needs without licensing fees.
Pros
- Completely free core software with open-source code for unlimited customization
- Comprehensive ministry-specific features like child check-in, groups, and giving
- Strong community support and active development
Cons
- Steep learning curve and requires technical setup expertise
- Self-hosted model demands IT resources for maintenance and security
- Limited official support; relies heavily on community forums
Best For
Tech-savvy churches and ministries of mid-to-large size seeking a highly customizable, no-cost ChMS.
Pricing
Free open-source core; optional cloud hosting and premium support from $99/month.
ChurchTrac
specializedAll-in-one, affordable online software for church directories, events, giving, and attendance tracking.
Unlimited free check-ins and kiosks for children's ministry and events
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one church management software tailored for streamlining administrative tasks in small to medium-sized congregations. It provides essential tools for member databases, attendance tracking, event scheduling, online giving, check-ins, and financial reporting. The web-based platform includes mobile apps for accessibility and supports unlimited users across all plans.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing with unlimited users and check-ins
- Intuitive interface requiring minimal training
- Excellent customer support with phone, chat, and free onboarding
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to larger competitors
- Reporting features are basic in lower tiers
- Interface feels slightly dated despite functionality
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing a budget-friendly, straightforward solution for core ministry management.
Pricing
Tiered monthly plans (billed annually): Essentials $37/mo, Standard $57/mo, Premium $97/mo; includes 30-day free trial and no contracts.
PowerChurch Plus
specializedComprehensive church accounting, membership, and attendance management software.
Pictorial Directory for visual member profiles and directories
PowerChurch Plus is a longstanding church management software solution tailored for small to medium-sized congregations, providing essential tools for membership tracking, contribution management, attendance monitoring, event scheduling, and church accounting. It features modular editions allowing customization based on church needs, with robust reporting and financial tools integrated into a desktop application. Primarily Windows-based, it emphasizes reliability and affordability for on-premise deployment.
Pros
- Affordable one-time purchase model
- Strong integrated accounting and fund tracking
- Comprehensive reporting and pictorial directory
Cons
- Dated Windows-only desktop interface
- Limited mobile app and cloud integration
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech users
Best For
Small to medium churches seeking cost-effective, on-premise software without subscription fees.
Pricing
One-time purchase: Basic $289, Standard $489, Premium $689-$895; optional annual support ~$150-$200.
CDM+
enterpriseRobust church database for membership, contributions, attendance, and fund accounting.
Automatic posting of contributions directly to a church-specific fund accounting general ledger
CDM+ is a comprehensive, modular church management software suite from CDM+ designed specifically for ministries, offering tools for membership tracking, contributions, attendance records, event planning, facilities scheduling, and full-featured accounting. It emphasizes seamless integration between donor giving and fund accounting, with robust reporting capabilities for church leaders. With decades of experience, it's tailored for churches needing detailed financial oversight and administrative efficiency.
Pros
- Extensive modular feature set covering all ministry needs
- Powerful custom reporting and query tools
- Strong integration of contributions with accounting ledger
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Primarily desktop-based with limited mobile access
- Custom pricing can be expensive for small churches
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches seeking integrated financial management and detailed membership tracking.
Pricing
Modular perpetual licenses with annual maintenance fees (typically $2,000–$10,000+ initial setup depending on modules; contact for custom quote).
ShelbyNext
enterpriseCloud-based church management for people, giving, events, and financial reporting.
Advanced fund accounting with IRS-compliant contribution statements and audit-ready financial reports
ShelbyNext is a cloud-based church management software (ChMS) from Shelby Systems, designed to handle core ministry operations like member database management, online giving, attendance tracking, event planning, and financial accounting. It provides robust tools for worship planning, small group management, and comprehensive reporting to support church administration. Ideal for ministries seeking integrated financial oversight alongside people management features.
Pros
- Strong financial tracking and accounting integration
- Comprehensive reporting and compliance tools for giving
- Scalable for mid-sized to larger churches
Cons
- Dated user interface compared to modern competitors
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Pricing can be costly for very small congregations
Best For
Mid-sized churches prioritizing detailed financial management and reporting over a sleek, intuitive interface.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing based on church size and modules, typically starting at $100-$300/month for small to medium churches.
Conclusion
Among the reviewed tools, Planning Center claims the top spot, offering a modular suite that seamlessly integrates people management, worship planning, giving, and events, making it a versatile choice. Breeze ChMS and Church Community Builder stand as strong alternatives: Breeze for its simple, affordable approach to member tracking and events, and Church Community Builder for its focus on engagement through small groups and volunteer coordination, each catering to distinct ministry needs.
Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your ministry—try Planning Center, the top-ranked tool, to streamline operations and focus on what matters most, or explore Breeze ChMS and Church Community Builder if their strengths align better with your needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison