Quick Overview
- 1#1: Planning Center - All-in-one web-based church management software for people management, worship planning, giving, check-ins, groups, and events.
- 2#2: Breeze ChMS - Simple and intuitive web-based church management tool for tracking members, scheduling events, managing finances, and online giving.
- 3#3: ChurchTrac - Affordable web-based church software with member database, attendance tracking, online giving, and event management features.
- 4#4: Rock RMS - Powerful open-source web-based church management system offering extensive features for groups, giving, events, and communication.
- 5#5: Tithely - Church management platform focused on seamless online giving, people database, events, and mobile engagement tools.
- 6#6: Church Community Builder - Web-based church software emphasizing community building, small groups, engagement, and volunteer management.
- 7#7: Faith Teams - Streamlined web-based tool for church volunteer scheduling, event management, attendance tracking, and communication.
- 8#8: Elvanto - Easy-to-use web-based church management system for rosters, events, giving, and volunteer coordination.
- 9#9: The City - Online church community platform for member directories, groups, events, and social engagement features.
- 10#10: CDM+ - Web-enabled church management software with accounting, member tracking, contributions, and reporting capabilities.
Tools were selected based on strength of features, user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they balance functionality and accessibility for diverse church needs.
Comparison Table
Web-based church management software streamlines tasks like scheduling, communication, and financial tracking for religious communities. This comparison table details tools including Planning Center, Breeze ChMS, ChurchTrac, Rock RMS, Tithely, and more, highlighting their key features and compatibility with different church sizes. Readers will discover which software best aligns with their community's unique organizational needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning Center All-in-one web-based church management software for people management, worship planning, giving, check-ins, groups, and events. | specialized | 9.8/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Breeze ChMS Simple and intuitive web-based church management tool for tracking members, scheduling events, managing finances, and online giving. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | ChurchTrac Affordable web-based church software with member database, attendance tracking, online giving, and event management features. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Rock RMS Powerful open-source web-based church management system offering extensive features for groups, giving, events, and communication. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 5 | Tithely Church management platform focused on seamless online giving, people database, events, and mobile engagement tools. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Church Community Builder Web-based church software emphasizing community building, small groups, engagement, and volunteer management. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 7 | Faith Teams Streamlined web-based tool for church volunteer scheduling, event management, attendance tracking, and communication. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 8 | Elvanto Easy-to-use web-based church management system for rosters, events, giving, and volunteer coordination. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | The City Online church community platform for member directories, groups, events, and social engagement features. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | CDM+ Web-enabled church management software with accounting, member tracking, contributions, and reporting capabilities. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 6.9/10 |
All-in-one web-based church management software for people management, worship planning, giving, check-ins, groups, and events.
Simple and intuitive web-based church management tool for tracking members, scheduling events, managing finances, and online giving.
Affordable web-based church software with member database, attendance tracking, online giving, and event management features.
Powerful open-source web-based church management system offering extensive features for groups, giving, events, and communication.
Church management platform focused on seamless online giving, people database, events, and mobile engagement tools.
Web-based church software emphasizing community building, small groups, engagement, and volunteer management.
Streamlined web-based tool for church volunteer scheduling, event management, attendance tracking, and communication.
Easy-to-use web-based church management system for rosters, events, giving, and volunteer coordination.
Online church community platform for member directories, groups, events, and social engagement features.
Web-enabled church management software with accounting, member tracking, contributions, and reporting capabilities.
Planning Center
specializedAll-in-one web-based church management software for people management, worship planning, giving, check-ins, groups, and events.
Advanced worship planning in Services app with real-time collaboration, rehearsal resources, and chord charts
Planning Center is a modular, web-based church management software suite tailored for churches, featuring apps like People (CRM), Services (worship planning), Check-Ins, Groups, Registrations, Giving, and more. It enables seamless coordination of church operations from volunteer scheduling to event management and online donations. The platform emphasizes intuitive design and deep integrations, making it a top choice for modern church staffs.
Pros
- Highly modular system with seamless app integrations
- Intuitive, modern interface loved by users
- Powerful worship planning and scheduling tools
Cons
- Modular pricing can become expensive for larger churches
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited built-in reporting customization
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches seeking a scalable, all-in-one platform with exceptional worship planning and volunteer management.
Pricing
Modular subscriptions: People free up to 100 records ($10/100 thereafter); other apps $19-$119/month based on active participants, with bundles available.
Breeze ChMS
specializedSimple and intuitive web-based church management tool for tracking members, scheduling events, managing finances, and online giving.
Rapid onboarding with setup wizards that get churches fully operational in under an hour
Breeze ChMS is a fully web-based church management software tailored for churches of all sizes, providing a centralized platform for managing people, events, giving, attendance, and communication. It features an intuitive dashboard for tracking member information, processing online donations, organizing events with registration, and handling child check-ins via kiosks or mobile apps. Designed by church staff for churches, it emphasizes simplicity and quick setup to minimize administrative burdens.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Unlimited users, emails, and storage included
- Outstanding customer support with quick response times
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting options
- Some integrations with niche tools are absent
- Pricing scales quickly with congregation size
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking a simple, affordable all-in-one solution without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $72/month for up to 100 active people, scaling to $208/month for 500; no contracts or setup fees.
ChurchTrac
specializedAffordable web-based church software with member database, attendance tracking, online giving, and event management features.
Integrated worship planning tool that combines song libraries, service outlines, and volunteer scheduling in one simple workflow.
ChurchTrac is a web-based church management software that provides an all-in-one platform for handling member directories, attendance tracking, online giving, event scheduling, groups, and worship planning. It supports churches in streamlining administrative tasks with features like kiosks for check-in, basic accounting, and communication tools. Designed for accessibility across devices, it emphasizes simplicity and affordability for everyday church operations.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing with unlimited storage and users on higher plans
- Intuitive interface that's easy for non-tech-savvy church staff to learn
- Strong core features like check-in, giving, and worship planning tailored for churches
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options compared to enterprise tools
- Fewer third-party integrations than top competitors like Planning Center
- Mobile app is functional but lacks some desktop feature parity
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches seeking a budget-friendly, straightforward solution without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $5 per user/month (min 5 users, $25/month), with premium plans up to $99/month for unlimited users and advanced features; 30-day free trial.
Rock RMS
specializedPowerful open-source web-based church management system offering extensive features for groups, giving, events, and communication.
Block-based drag-and-drop builder with Lava templating for unlimited custom pages, workflows, and integrations
Rock RMS is a free, open-source church management software platform designed specifically for churches, offering comprehensive tools for people management, group tracking, event scheduling, online giving, child check-in, and communication. It features a highly customizable interface powered by a block-based system and Lava templating, allowing churches to tailor the software to their unique needs without licensing costs. With a strong community-driven ecosystem, it supports multi-campus setups and integrates with various third-party services for enhanced functionality.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing fees
- Extremely customizable through blocks and Lava templating
- Robust feature set including check-ins, giving, and multi-campus support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Requires self-hosting and technical expertise for setup/maintenance
- Community support can be inconsistent compared to paid alternatives
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches with in-house technical resources seeking a highly customizable, cost-free management solution.
Pricing
Free open-source software; self-hosted with associated server and maintenance costs (typically $500-$5,000/year depending on scale).
Tithely
specializedChurch management platform focused on seamless online giving, people database, events, and mobile engagement tools.
Seamless text-to-give and one-tap mobile donations for effortless congregation contributions
Tithely is a web-based church management software platform designed to streamline online giving, member engagement, and administrative tasks for churches of all sizes. It offers tools for people management, event registration, sermon streaming, child check-in, and customizable church websites and apps. With a strong emphasis on mobile accessibility and seamless donations, Tithely helps churches foster community and financial growth through intuitive digital solutions.
Pros
- Exceptional online giving tools with text-to-give, Apple Pay, and low fees
- User-friendly interface with mobile apps for both staff and congregation
- Robust engagement features like events, groups, and custom apps
Cons
- Pricing can become expensive for larger churches with high transaction volumes
- Advanced reporting and custom workflows are somewhat limited
- Some integrations require additional setup or third-party apps
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing easy online giving and mobile engagement over deep CRM customization.
Pricing
Free for basic giving; full platform plans start at $29/mo (Essentials) up to $249/mo (Pro), plus transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30 per card transaction).
Church Community Builder
specializedWeb-based church software emphasizing community building, small groups, engagement, and volunteer management.
Success Paths for customizable member discipleship journeys and automated engagement workflows
Church Community Builder (CCB) is a robust web-based church management software tailored for streamlining church operations, including member database management, small group organization, event scheduling, and child check-in systems. It facilitates online giving, mass communications via email and SMS, and detailed reporting dashboards to track engagement and growth. With a mobile app and customizable workflows, CCB emphasizes building relationships and discipleship paths within church communities.
Pros
- Comprehensive member and relationship tracking
- Strong small group and event management tools
- Integrated online giving and child check-in
Cons
- Dated user interface with moderate learning curve
- Pricing scales quickly for larger churches
- Limited native integrations with external tools
Best For
Medium-sized churches prioritizing small group discipleship and member engagement tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $157/month for up to 75 active households, with tiered plans (Growth $297+, Ministry $537+) scaling by church size and features.
Faith Teams
specializedStreamlined web-based tool for church volunteer scheduling, event management, attendance tracking, and communication.
Advanced repeating schedules and volunteer self-scheduling that reduces admin time significantly
Faith Teams is a web-based church management software focused on volunteer scheduling, team coordination, and event check-ins. It provides tools for attendance tracking, communication via text/email, background checks, and simple people management. Ideal for streamlining ministry teams, it emphasizes ease of use without overwhelming complexity.
Pros
- Highly intuitive volunteer scheduling with self-scheduling options
- Affordable and scalable pricing model
- Strong mobile check-in and communication tools
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Fewer third-party integrations than competitors
- Basic CRM and financial tracking capabilities
Best For
Small to mid-sized churches prioritizing simple volunteer management and scheduling over comprehensive enterprise features.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 active volunteers; paid plans start at $29/month for 76-200 volunteers, scaling up based on team size.
Elvanto
specializedEasy-to-use web-based church management system for rosters, events, giving, and volunteer coordination.
Lightning-fast people search with advanced filters and custom fields
Elvanto is a web-based church management software that helps churches manage people, events, groups, online giving, and child check-ins all in one intuitive platform. It emphasizes a powerful people database with advanced search capabilities and seamless volunteer management. Designed for simplicity, it supports small to medium-sized churches in streamlining operations without a steep learning curve.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with fast setup
- Powerful people search and custom fields
- Affordable pricing with strong core features like events and check-ins
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Customization options are somewhat restricted
- Some integrations require additional setup
Best For
Small to medium-sized churches seeking an easy-to-use, cost-effective solution for basic people and event management.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 people; $29/month base + $0.39 per additional profile.
The City
specializedOnline church community platform for member directories, groups, events, and social engagement features.
Social media-like community feed and member profiles that mimic Facebook for church interaction
The City is a web-based church management software platform that functions like a private social network for churches, enabling member profiles, groups, events, and communication. It integrates church websites, online giving, attendance tracking, and volunteer management to foster community engagement. Designed for modern churches, it offers mobile apps for both staff and members to stay connected on the go.
Pros
- Intuitive social network-style interface for member engagement
- Strong integration of website builder with management tools
- Reliable mobile apps for attendance and check-ins
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger churches
- Reporting and analytics are somewhat basic
- Limited advanced customizations and third-party integrations
Best For
Mid-sized churches seeking a user-friendly platform to build an online community and manage groups and events.
Pricing
Tiered subscription starting at $34/month for up to 100 active adults, increasing to $159+/month for larger groups (billed annually).
CDM+
specializedWeb-enabled church management software with accounting, member tracking, contributions, and reporting capabilities.
Fully integrated fund accounting system designed specifically for nonprofit churches, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
CDM+ is a comprehensive web-based church management software suite tailored for churches, providing tools for membership tracking, financial accounting, online giving, attendance monitoring, event management, and communication. It offers both cloud-hosted (CDM+ Cloud) and on-premise options, enabling secure access from anywhere while handling complex administrative needs. With decades of development, it emphasizes data integrity and customization for growing congregations.
Pros
- Robust integrated accounting compliant with GAAP standards
- Extensive customizable reporting and querying tools
- Strong customer support with dedicated specialists
Cons
- Dated user interface requiring training
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Higher pricing better suited for mid-to-large churches
Best For
Mid-sized to large churches needing advanced financial management and detailed membership database capabilities.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; CDM+ Cloud starts at approximately $150-$300/month depending on modules, church size, and users, with on-premise licenses available.
Conclusion
A close review of the top web-based church management tools reveals options tailored to diverse needs, with clear leaders emerging. Planning Center shines as the top choice, offering an all-in-one platform that integrates people management, worship planning, giving, and more. Breeze ChMS and ChurchTrac follow as strong alternatives—Breeze for its simplicity and intuitive design, and ChurchTrac for its affordability, ensuring there’s a solution that aligns with various church sizes and priorities. Each tool enhances church operations and community engagement in unique ways.
Explore Planning Center, our top-ranked pick, to experience a streamlined, all-in-one system that can elevate your church’s management and connect your community effectively.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison