Quick Overview
- 1#1: Aplos - Cloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits with donor tracking and financial reporting.
- 2#2: QuickBooks Online - Versatile online accounting platform with nonprofit templates for managing church donations, expenses, and payroll.
- 3#3: Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT - Robust cloud financial management system for larger churches and nonprofits featuring advanced fund accounting and compliance tools.
- 4#4: Realm - Integrated online church platform with accounting for contributions, budgeting, and multi-fund tracking.
- 5#5: ChurchTrac - Affordable all-in-one church management software including fund accounting, online giving, and expense tracking.
- 6#6: Xero - Intuitive cloud accounting tool used by churches for bank feeds, invoicing, and customizable nonprofit reports.
- 7#7: Breeze ChMS - User-friendly church software with simple accounting for tracking giving, vendors, and basic financials.
- 8#8: Servant Keeper - Cloud-enabled church database and accounting system for managing tithes, offerings, and general ledger.
- 9#9: PowerChurch Online - Web-based church accounting software supporting fund accounting, payroll, and budget management.
- 10#10: Sage Intacct - Scalable cloud ERP platform for nonprofits and churches with sophisticated fund accounting and analytics.
Tools were chosen based on comprehensive evaluation of features (including fund tracking, reporting, and integration), user-friendliness, technical reliability, and value, with a focus on suitability for churches of all sizes and operational requirements.
Comparison Table
For churches seeking efficient online accounting solutions, choosing the right software can streamline finances and support mission goals. This comparison table features top options including Aplos, QuickBooks Online, Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, Realm, ChurchTrac, and more, breaking down key features, pricing structures, and suitability for different church sizes to help readers find their best fit.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aplos Cloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits with donor tracking and financial reporting. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | QuickBooks Online Versatile online accounting platform with nonprofit templates for managing church donations, expenses, and payroll. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 3 | Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT Robust cloud financial management system for larger churches and nonprofits featuring advanced fund accounting and compliance tools. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Realm Integrated online church platform with accounting for contributions, budgeting, and multi-fund tracking. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 5 | ChurchTrac Affordable all-in-one church management software including fund accounting, online giving, and expense tracking. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 6 | Xero Intuitive cloud accounting tool used by churches for bank feeds, invoicing, and customizable nonprofit reports. | other | 7.0/10 | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 7 | Breeze ChMS User-friendly church software with simple accounting for tracking giving, vendors, and basic financials. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Servant Keeper Cloud-enabled church database and accounting system for managing tithes, offerings, and general ledger. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | PowerChurch Online Web-based church accounting software supporting fund accounting, payroll, and budget management. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Sage Intacct Scalable cloud ERP platform for nonprofits and churches with sophisticated fund accounting and analytics. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 |
Cloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits with donor tracking and financial reporting.
Versatile online accounting platform with nonprofit templates for managing church donations, expenses, and payroll.
Robust cloud financial management system for larger churches and nonprofits featuring advanced fund accounting and compliance tools.
Integrated online church platform with accounting for contributions, budgeting, and multi-fund tracking.
Affordable all-in-one church management software including fund accounting, online giving, and expense tracking.
Intuitive cloud accounting tool used by churches for bank feeds, invoicing, and customizable nonprofit reports.
User-friendly church software with simple accounting for tracking giving, vendors, and basic financials.
Cloud-enabled church database and accounting system for managing tithes, offerings, and general ledger.
Web-based church accounting software supporting fund accounting, payroll, and budget management.
Scalable cloud ERP platform for nonprofits and churches with sophisticated fund accounting and analytics.
Aplos
specializedCloud-based fund accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits with donor tracking and financial reporting.
Advanced fund accounting that automatically categorizes transactions by fund, enforces restrictions, and generates donor-specific statements for perfect nonprofit compliance.
Aplos is a cloud-based accounting platform tailored for churches and nonprofits, offering specialized fund accounting to manage restricted and unrestricted funds effortlessly. It integrates donor management, online giving, budgeting, payroll, and detailed financial reporting to streamline church finances. With bank reconciliations, mobile access, and compliance tools, Aplos ensures accuracy and accessibility for religious organizations of all sizes.
Pros
- Specialized fund accounting perfectly suited for churches handling multiple donation-designated funds
- Seamless online giving and donor tracking with automated receipts and pledges
- Robust reporting and budgeting tools with customizable dashboards and forecasts
- Excellent integrations with banks, payment processors, and church management systems
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may be costly for very small churches with minimal needs
- Limited built-in CRM features compared to full church management software
- Initial setup and data migration can require some training for non-accountants
Best For
Mid-sized churches and nonprofits needing comprehensive, fund-specific accounting with donor management and compliance features.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month (Basic: core accounting), $99/month (Pro: adds payroll and advanced reporting), $179+/month (Premium: unlimited funds, custom support); annual discounts available.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseVersatile online accounting platform with nonprofit templates for managing church donations, expenses, and payroll.
Class and Location tracking for approximating multi-fund church accounting without dedicated nonprofit software
QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based accounting software from Intuit that provides comprehensive financial management tools adaptable for churches, including invoicing for tithes and offerings, expense tracking, payroll, and customizable reporting. Churches can use its class and location tracking features to simulate fund accounting for designated contributions like building funds or missions. It offers real-time collaboration for multiple users, bank reconciliations, and integrations with church management systems, though it requires some setup for nonprofit-specific needs.
Pros
- Robust general accounting with class tracking for church fund segregation
- Cloud-based real-time access and multi-user collaboration
- Strong integrations and customizable reports for financial oversight
Cons
- No native fund accounting or built-in donor/pledge management
- Requires workarounds and training for church-specific use
- Pricing can be high for small churches without specialized nonprofit discounts
Best For
Mid-sized churches needing scalable general accounting with customization for multiple funds and departments.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) to $200/month (Advanced); annual plans offer 50% off first 3 months.
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT
enterpriseRobust cloud financial management system for larger churches and nonprofits featuring advanced fund accounting and compliance tools.
Unlimited dimensional fund accounting for granular tracking of restricted church funds and designations
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT is a cloud-based fund accounting platform tailored for nonprofits, including churches, providing comprehensive tools for managing general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, budgeting, and financial reporting. It excels in tracking restricted and unrestricted funds, designations, offerings, and multi-entity structures common in church operations. The software integrates with Blackbaud's broader ecosystem for donor management and fundraising, ensuring seamless data flow for faith-based organizations.
Pros
- Robust fund accounting with unlimited dimensions for precise tracking of church tithes, offerings, and missions
- Advanced reporting and analytics for compliance and decision-making
- Cloud-based accessibility with strong integrations to CRM and fundraising tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training or consultants
- High pricing that may not suit small churches
- Interface feels enterprise-oriented rather than intuitive for basic users
Best For
Mid-to-large churches or multisite faith-based organizations needing enterprise-grade fund accounting and nonprofit-specific compliance.
Pricing
Quote-based; typically starts at $5,000-$15,000 annually depending on modules, users, and fund volume.
Realm
specializedIntegrated online church platform with accounting for contributions, budgeting, and multi-fund tracking.
End-to-end integration of church accounting with member engagement and online giving in a single unified platform.
Realm is a cloud-based church management software (ChMS) from ACS Technologies that includes dedicated accounting tools tailored for nonprofit churches, handling fund accounting, budgeting, general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and financial reporting. It integrates seamlessly with member management, online giving, event planning, and engagement features for a holistic church operations platform. Primarily designed for churches seeking an all-in-one solution, it supports multi-campus setups and offers mobile accessibility via the Realm Connect app.
Pros
- Comprehensive fund accounting with nonprofit-specific features like restricted funds and donor tracking
- Seamless integration with online giving and CRM for streamlined financial workflows
- Customizable dashboards and reporting for detailed financial insights
Cons
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive features and complex setup
- Pricing scales quickly for larger churches or high transaction volumes
- Limited native integrations with non-church-specific accounting tools or payroll services
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches needing an integrated ChMS with robust accounting rather than standalone financial software.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $100–$500+/month based on active records, giving volume, and features selected.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable all-in-one church management software including fund accounting, online giving, and expense tracking.
Multi-fund accounting tailored for church designated funds and tithes
ChurchTrac is a cloud-based church management software with integrated accounting features designed specifically for small to medium-sized churches and non-profits. It offers fund accounting, budgeting, expense tracking, financial reporting, and online giving integration to streamline church finances. The platform combines accounting with membership management, attendance tracking, and event planning for a holistic solution.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with scalable plans
- Church-specific fund accounting and reporting
- User-friendly interface integrated with full church management tools
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting features like payroll processing
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Reporting customization could be more robust
Best For
Small to medium churches seeking an all-in-one, budget-friendly platform for basic accounting and member management.
Pricing
Starts at $37/month for Essentials (single user), $59/month for Standard, and $99/month for Premium; free trial available.
Xero
otherIntuitive cloud accounting tool used by churches for bank feeds, invoicing, and customizable nonprofit reports.
Automated bank feeds that connect directly to church bank accounts for real-time reconciliation and error reduction
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software primarily designed for small to medium-sized businesses, providing tools for invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, payroll, and financial reporting. For churches, it can manage basic accounting like recording tithes as invoices or donations, but lacks specialized features such as fund accounting, pledge tracking, or built-in donor management systems. Users often rely on integrations or custom setups to adapt it for nonprofit or church-specific needs, making it a general-purpose rather than tailored solution.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface that's easy for non-accountants like church volunteers
- Automated bank feeds and reconciliation reduce manual data entry
- Unlimited users and strong integrations with apps like QuickBooks or donor platforms
Cons
- No native support for church-specific fund accounting or multi-fund tracking
- Limited built-in tools for donation/tithing management without add-ons
- Pricing can feel high for small churches with simple needs
Best For
Small to medium churches needing a scalable general accounting tool that can handle basic finances with some customization.
Pricing
Starts at $20/user/month (Early plan) up to $70/user/month (Ultimate plan); billed annually with discounts, no free tier.
Breeze ChMS
specializedUser-friendly church software with simple accounting for tracking giving, vendors, and basic financials.
Fund-based accounting with automatic allocation from online giving, eliminating manual data entry between donation tracking and financials
Breeze ChMS is a cloud-based church management software with integrated accounting features designed specifically for churches of all sizes. It streamlines financial tasks like tracking donations by fund, managing expenses, budgeting, and generating essential reports such as profit & loss statements and balance sheets. The platform combines accounting with people management, online giving, and event planning for a unified church admin experience.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and minimal training required
- Affordable flat-rate pricing with unlimited staff users
- Seamless integration between giving, people database, and accounting
Cons
- Lacks advanced accounting tools like full payroll processing or complex multi-entity support
- Reporting is solid but not as customizable as dedicated accounting software
- Batch entry and bank reconciliation can feel basic for larger churches
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking simple, all-in-one accounting without steep learning curves or high costs.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 50 profiles (people records), plus $1 per additional profile; unlimited staff users and no contracts.
Servant Keeper
specializedCloud-enabled church database and accounting system for managing tithes, offerings, and general ledger.
Advanced multi-fund accounting that precisely tracks designated donations and restricted funds common in church finances
Servant Keeper is a comprehensive church management software with specialized online accounting features tailored for religious organizations, including fund accounting, contribution tracking, accounts payable/receivable, and payroll integration. It provides web-based access to financial reports, budgeting tools, and online giving portals, enabling church administrators to manage finances remotely. The platform integrates member databases with accounting for seamless contribution recording and donor management.
Pros
- Robust fund accounting designed specifically for churches with multi-fund tracking
- Integrated online giving and contribution management with donor reports
- Comprehensive financial reporting and budgeting tools
Cons
- Dated user interface that feels outdated compared to modern SaaS tools
- Primarily Windows desktop-focused with limited native mobile functionality
- Steeper learning curve for non-accountants
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches needing affordable, church-specific accounting integrated with member management.
Pricing
Subscription tiers start at $49/month for up to 75 households, scaling to $200+/month for larger congregations; includes hosting and support.
PowerChurch Online
specializedWeb-based church accounting software supporting fund accounting, payroll, and budget management.
Robust multi-fund accounting that automatically allocates donations and expenses across designated church funds
PowerChurch Online is a cloud-based church management software with integrated accounting features designed specifically for religious organizations. It offers fund accounting, contribution tracking, accounts payable/receivable, payroll processing, budgeting, and financial reporting, along with online giving capabilities. The platform streamlines church finances while integrating with membership and attendance tools for a comprehensive solution.
Pros
- Specialized fund accounting tailored for churches with multi-fund tracking
- Integrated online giving and contribution management
- Comprehensive reporting and budgeting tools at an affordable price
Cons
- Dated user interface that feels less modern compared to competitors
- Limited third-party integrations beyond basic payment processors
- Customer support can be slow for non-priority users
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking straightforward, church-specific accounting without complex customizations.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $39/month for up to 150 members, scaling to $199+/month for larger congregations; includes all features with no setup fees.
Sage Intacct
enterpriseScalable cloud ERP platform for nonprofits and churches with sophisticated fund accounting and analytics.
Multi-dimensional data tagging for precise tracking across funds, programs, grants, and departments
Sage Intacct is a cloud-based ERP and accounting platform tailored for mid-market businesses and nonprofits, including churches, offering robust financial management tools. It specializes in fund accounting to track restricted and unrestricted donations, expenses, budgets, and multi-entity operations. The software provides advanced reporting, dashboards, and compliance features to handle complex nonprofit finances efficiently.
Pros
- Powerful multi-dimensional fund accounting
- Scalable cloud platform with real-time insights
- Extensive reporting and compliance tools
Cons
- High cost with quote-based pricing
- Steep learning curve and setup complexity
- Lacks built-in church-specific features like pledge tracking
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches with complex multi-fund operations and enterprise-level financial needs.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $12,000-$20,000 annually for base subscription plus $300-$500 per user/month.
Conclusion
After assessing the top 10 online church accounting tools, Aplos clearly ranks highest, designed specifically for church and nonprofit needs with robust donor tracking and financial reporting. QuickBooks Online remains a standout alternative, offering versatile accounting with nonprofit templates to manage donations, expenses, and payroll, ideal for those seeking a more general platform. Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT is a strong third, excelling with advanced fund accounting and compliance tools for larger churches. The right choice depends on size and needs, but Aplos leads as the top pick to streamline church finances.
Explore Aplos today to simplify financial management, enhance donor tracking, and strengthen your church's operational efficiency—its specialized design makes it the ultimate tool for modern church accounting.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison