Quick Overview
- 1#1: Aplos - Cloud-based fund accounting software designed for churches and nonprofits to manage donations, expenses, and budgets.
- 2#2: Breeze - Simple church management software with integrated accounting for tracking giving, expenses, and basic financials.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable all-in-one church platform featuring accounting for tithes, offerings, payroll, and reporting.
- 4#4: QuickBooks Online Nonprofit - Powerful cloud accounting with nonprofit tools for fund tracking, donor reports, and Form 990 support.
- 5#5: PowerChurch Plus - Church-specific accounting software handling multi-funds, contributions, payroll, and financial statements.
- 6#6: EC-Cash - Dedicated church accounting system for managing tithes, pledges, expenses, and general ledger.
- 7#7: Church Windows - Desktop accounting solution tailored for churches with fund accounting, AP/AR, and payroll modules.
- 8#8: Xero - Cloud accounting platform with bank feeds and reporting adaptable for small church finances.
- 9#9: Realm - Church management suite including accounting for budgets, expenses, and giving integration.
- 10#10: Shelby - Flexible church database and accounting system for financial management and reporting.
We prioritized tools based on relevance to church-specific needs (tithe tracking, fund accounting, reporting), reliability, ease of use for non-accounting staff, and overall value, ensuring the best fit for diverse operational requirements
Comparison Table
Navigating small church accounting software can feel challenging, but this comparison table streamlines the process, featuring tools like Aplos, Breeze, ChurchTrac, QuickBooks Online Nonprofit, and PowerChurch Plus. Readers will gain insights into key features, usability, and suitability to select the best fit for their church.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aplos Cloud-based fund accounting software designed for churches and nonprofits to manage donations, expenses, and budgets. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Breeze Simple church management software with integrated accounting for tracking giving, expenses, and basic financials. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable all-in-one church platform featuring accounting for tithes, offerings, payroll, and reporting. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 4 | QuickBooks Online Nonprofit Powerful cloud accounting with nonprofit tools for fund tracking, donor reports, and Form 990 support. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 5 | PowerChurch Plus Church-specific accounting software handling multi-funds, contributions, payroll, and financial statements. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 6 | EC-Cash Dedicated church accounting system for managing tithes, pledges, expenses, and general ledger. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 7 | Church Windows Desktop accounting solution tailored for churches with fund accounting, AP/AR, and payroll modules. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | Xero Cloud accounting platform with bank feeds and reporting adaptable for small church finances. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 9 | Realm Church management suite including accounting for budgets, expenses, and giving integration. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 10 | Shelby Flexible church database and accounting system for financial management and reporting. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
Cloud-based fund accounting software designed for churches and nonprofits to manage donations, expenses, and budgets.
Simple church management software with integrated accounting for tracking giving, expenses, and basic financials.
Affordable all-in-one church platform featuring accounting for tithes, offerings, payroll, and reporting.
Powerful cloud accounting with nonprofit tools for fund tracking, donor reports, and Form 990 support.
Church-specific accounting software handling multi-funds, contributions, payroll, and financial statements.
Dedicated church accounting system for managing tithes, pledges, expenses, and general ledger.
Desktop accounting solution tailored for churches with fund accounting, AP/AR, and payroll modules.
Cloud accounting platform with bank feeds and reporting adaptable for small church finances.
Church management suite including accounting for budgets, expenses, and giving integration.
Flexible church database and accounting system for financial management and reporting.
Aplos
specializedCloud-based fund accounting software designed for churches and nonprofits to manage donations, expenses, and budgets.
Church-specific fund accounting that automatically tracks and reports on unrestricted, designated, and restricted funds with zero manual categorization errors.
Aplos is a cloud-based accounting software tailored specifically for small churches and nonprofits, offering fund accounting, donation tracking, budgeting, and financial reporting in one intuitive platform. It simplifies church finances by automating tasks like online giving integration, payroll, and expense management while ensuring compliance with nonprofit standards. Ideal for volunteer treasurers or small staff, it replaces spreadsheets with professional-grade tools accessible from anywhere.
Pros
- Specialized fund accounting perfect for church designated funds and restricted giving
- Seamless integration with online giving platforms and bank feeds for automated reconciliation
- Robust reporting and dashboard for quick insights into church finances
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may exceed budgets for very tiny congregations under 50 members
- Limited advanced customization options for highly complex multi-campus churches
- Payroll add-on requires additional fees and setup
Best For
Small churches (under 500 members) with volunteer-led finance teams seeking an all-in-one solution for accounting, donations, and reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month (Starter plan); $99/month (Standard); $149/month (Premium); additional fees for payroll and premium support.
Breeze
specializedSimple church management software with integrated accounting for tracking giving, expenses, and basic financials.
Automatic categorization and fund allocation from online giving directly into accounting ledgers
Breeze (breeze.church) is a cloud-based church management software tailored for small churches, providing an integrated suite that includes member tracking, event management, online giving, and essential accounting tools. Its accounting features support fund accounting, expense tracking, budgeting, bank reconciliation, and customizable financial reports, all without requiring accounting expertise. Designed to streamline church finances in one intuitive platform, it eliminates the need for multiple tools.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal training required
- Flat-rate pricing that's budget-friendly for small churches
- Seamless integration of giving, expenses, and reporting
Cons
- Lacks advanced features like payroll processing or complex multi-entity accounting
- Reporting customization is solid but not as flexible as dedicated accounting software
- Limited international tax handling outside the US
Best For
Small churches with 50-250 members seeking an all-in-one, easy-to-use solution for basic fund accounting and administration.
Pricing
$72/month flat rate after a 6-month free trial; unlimited users, churches, and features included.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable all-in-one church platform featuring accounting for tithes, offerings, payroll, and reporting.
Unlimited church-specific fund accounting with automated online giving reconciliation
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one cloud-based church management software with built-in accounting features tailored for small churches, including fund accounting, budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting. It integrates seamlessly with online giving platforms to track donations and automate receipting. Beyond accounting, it handles membership databases, event scheduling, attendance tracking, and communication tools, providing a comprehensive solution without needing multiple apps.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing with scalable plans
- Intuitive interface ideal for non-accountants in small churches
- Unlimited fund accounting with donor and giving integration
Cons
- Reporting lacks advanced customization options
- Limited third-party integrations (e.g., no full payroll)
- Web-based only with no dedicated mobile app
Best For
Small churches with under 200 members seeking an affordable, easy-to-use all-in-one platform for accounting and management.
Pricing
Essentials ($5/mo), Standard ($37/mo), Premium ($97/mo), billed annually with a free trial.
QuickBooks Online Nonprofit
specializedPowerful cloud accounting with nonprofit tools for fund tracking, donor reports, and Form 990 support.
Nonprofit-specific class and location tracking for seamless multi-fund management
QuickBooks Online Nonprofit is a cloud-based accounting platform from Intuit, customized for nonprofits including small churches, offering robust fund accounting via class and location tracking to manage restricted and unrestricted funds like tithes and offerings. It provides donor tracking, customizable invoicing for pledges, expense management, and compliance-ready reporting. The solution integrates with payroll and other tools, making it suitable for growing religious organizations handling basic to intermediate financial needs.
Pros
- Powerful class tracking for fund accounting tailored to church needs
- Intuitive cloud interface with mobile access
- Strong reporting and integrations for payroll/donors
Cons
- Higher pricing may strain very small church budgets
- Requires initial setup/customization for church-specific workflows
- Lacks deep built-in member or event management
Best For
Small churches with volunteer or part-time accountants needing scalable fund tracking and professional reporting without on-premise software.
Pricing
Nonprofit-discounted plans start at ~$52/month (Essentials) up to ~$138/month (Advanced), billed annually; free trial available.
PowerChurch Plus
specializedChurch-specific accounting software handling multi-funds, contributions, payroll, and financial statements.
Unlimited fund accounting tailored for churches, supporting multiple budgets, sub-funds, and non-profit compliant reporting
PowerChurch Plus is a Windows-based, on-premises church management software designed specifically for small to mid-sized churches, offering integrated accounting features like fund accounting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and budgeting. It excels in tracking contributions with detailed donor histories, envelope systems, and customizable financial reports tailored to church needs. Beyond accounting, it includes membership databases, attendance tracking, and event management, providing an all-in-one solution without recurring subscriptions.
Pros
- Church-specific fund accounting with unlimited funds and detailed tracking
- One-time purchase model with no ongoing subscription fees
- Robust contribution management and customizable reporting
Cons
- Desktop-only with no cloud or mobile access
- Dated interface with a steeper learning curve for new users
- Limited integrations with modern online giving or external tools
Best For
Small churches seeking a cost-effective, on-premises accounting solution with strong fund tracking and no recurring costs.
Pricing
One-time purchase from $495 (single-user base) to $1,495 (unlimited users); optional annual support starts at $199.
EC-Cash
specializedDedicated church accounting system for managing tithes, pledges, expenses, and general ledger.
Seamless multi-fund accounting tailored for church designated funds and offerings
EC-Cash is a Windows-based accounting software specifically designed for small churches, focusing on fund accounting, donor contribution tracking, and basic financial reporting. It simplifies church finances with tools for budgeting, expense management, and generating compliant reports like Form 990. While straightforward for non-accountants, it lacks advanced integrations and cloud access, making it suitable for basic needs.
Pros
- Affordable one-time purchase with no recurring fees
- Intuitive interface ideal for volunteer treasurers
- Church-specific fund accounting and donation tracking
Cons
- Windows-only desktop app with no mobile or web access
- Limited integrations with other church management tools
- Basic reporting lacks customization for larger needs
Best For
Small churches with volunteer staff seeking simple, low-cost fund accounting without needing cloud features.
Pricing
One-time license starting at $495 for the base version, with optional modules extra.
Church Windows
specializedDesktop accounting solution tailored for churches with fund accounting, AP/AR, and payroll modules.
Sophisticated multi-fund accounting engine optimized for church nonprofit compliance and donor-restricted funds
Church Windows is a Windows-based desktop software suite tailored for church accounting and administration. It provides specialized fund accounting, contribution tracking, payroll processing, budgeting, and reporting tools to manage church finances compliantly. The integrated modules also handle membership and attendance, making it a one-stop solution for small to mid-sized congregations.
Pros
- Church-specific fund accounting with unlimited funds and sub-funds
- Integrated modules for contributions, payroll, and reporting
- Dedicated customer support with training resources
Cons
- Desktop-only (Windows required), no cloud or mobile access
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Upfront costs plus annual maintenance fees
Best For
Small churches with Windows desktops seeking robust, on-premise fund accounting without subscription-only models.
Pricing
One-time module purchases starting at $995 (Accounting) plus $295/year maintenance per module; bundles from $2,500+.
Xero
otherCloud accounting platform with bank feeds and reporting adaptable for small church finances.
Live bank feeds for automatic transaction import and reconciliation
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software primarily designed for small businesses, providing invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, payroll, and customizable reporting. For small churches, it handles general bookkeeping like tracking tithes via custom categories and integrating with donation platforms, but lacks native fund accounting or church-specific features. It excels in real-time financial visibility and scalability for growing ministries.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with mobile app for on-the-go access
- Automated bank feeds and reconciliation save time
- Unlimited users enable team collaboration
- App marketplace for integrations like donation tools
Cons
- No built-in fund accounting for restricted donations
- Church-specific reports require custom setup
- Payroll limited to certain countries
- Higher tiers needed for advanced inventory or projects
Best For
Small churches seeking user-friendly general accounting that can be customized for basic tithing and expense tracking without needing specialized non-profit software.
Pricing
Starts at $20/month (Early plan for basic needs), up to $70/month (Ultimate); billed annually with discounts, free trial available.
Realm
enterpriseChurch management suite including accounting for budgets, expenses, and giving integration.
Church-specific fund accounting with automated allocation and reconciliation across multiple ministry funds
Realm is an all-in-one cloud-based church management platform from Ministry Brands that includes specialized accounting tools for small churches and nonprofits. It supports fund accounting, budgeting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll integration, and detailed financial reporting, all integrated with member database, attendance tracking, and online giving. This makes it suitable for streamlining both financial and administrative operations in a single system.
Pros
- Comprehensive fund accounting tailored for churches with multi-fund tracking and nonprofit-compliant reporting
- Seamless integration with online giving, member management, and event planning
- Real-time dashboards and customizable reports for quick financial insights
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with church size, potentially expensive for very small congregations under 50 members
- Learning curve for users new to church-specific accounting software
- Limited standalone accounting focus; best as part of full church management suite
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches needing integrated accounting with member engagement and online donation tools.
Pricing
Starts at around $119/month for up to 75 households, with custom quotes scaling by size and add-ons like payroll.
Shelby
enterpriseFlexible church database and accounting system for financial management and reporting.
Sophisticated multi-fund accounting that precisely tracks restricted and unrestricted church funds
Shelby Systems offers church management software with specialized accounting features tailored for nonprofit religious organizations, including fund accounting, general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll processing, and budgeting tools. It supports both traditional desktop installations and cloud-based options like ShelbyCloud, enabling integration with membership, contributions, and event management. While robust for financial tracking, its comprehensive nature can overwhelm very small congregations focused solely on basic bookkeeping.
Pros
- Powerful fund accounting with unlimited funds and designations
- Strong integration with church CRM and contribution tracking
- Customizable financial reports and audit trails
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-accountants
- Higher pricing not ideal for tiniest churches
- Limited intuitive mobile app functionality
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches needing scalable accounting integrated with broader ministry management.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting at ~$99/month for basic cloud plans, scaling with users, modules, and church size.
Conclusion
The selection of top small church accounting tools highlights both specialized and versatile options, with Aplos leading as the top choice for its focused fund management and cloud-based design. Breeze stands out for its simplicity, and ChurchTrac offers a robust all-in-one platform, ensuring there is a strong alternative for various operational needs.
Don’t miss out on Aplos—its tailored features make it a standout for church finances; explore it today to simplify your accounting processes.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
