20 Best Church Administration Software Picks For 2024
10 Church Administration Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Choosing the right church administration software can make or break how smoothly your church runs. Whether you’re...
- Juggling member data
- Managing volunteers
- Tracking donations
…the right software can lighten your load and help you focus more on ministry. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from key features to the latest trends, so you can make the best choice for your church.
Let’s dive in.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We’ve been putting church administration software to the test since we launched this publication back in 2019. As pastors and church leaders ourselves, my team and I get just how tough it is to choose the right software. It’s not easy!
So, we dig deep into the research to help you make smarter software choices. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different church needs and written over 1,000 detailed reviews to guide you.
Learn how we stay transparent and our software review methodology.
How to Choose Church Administration Software
As you work through your church’s unique software selection process, the following points will help you streamline and simplify your choice.
- Ease of Use: If the software is complicated, your team might avoid using it altogether. Look for church administration software that's user-friendly, so everyone, from volunteers to staff, can navigate it without a struggle. For example, if your team struggles with managing member data, you'll want software with an intuitive interface that makes data entry and retrieval simple.
- Integration with Existing Tools: Your church likely uses other tools, like email platforms or accounting software. Make sure the church administration software you choose can easily integrate with those existing tools. This avoids double work and keeps everything connected. For instance, if you already use QuickBooks for finances, choose software that syncs well with it.
- Customization Options: Every church has different needs, so one-size-fits-all solutions don’t usually cut it. Look for software that allows you to customize forms, reports, and workflows to fit your church's unique processes. This is especially important if you run specialized programs like a large youth ministry or multi-campus operations.
- Support and Training: Even the best software is useless if your team can’t figure out how to use it. Check what kind of support and training is available. Good church administration software should offer easy-to-access help, whether through tutorials, customer support, or training sessions. This ensures that your team can make the most of the software from day one.
- Cost vs. Value: It’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, but consider the long-term value. Does the software save you time? Does it offer features that meet your needs? Sometimes, spending a bit more upfront on the right church administration software can save you headaches and extra costs down the road. Think about how the software might grow with your church, rather than just the initial price tag.
Overviews Of The 10 Best Church Administration Software Solution
Here’s a brief description of each church administration app to showcase each tool’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.
Church administration software for direct member communication
ChMeetings is a church administration tool designed to simplify how your church manages day-to-day operations. It helps you keep track of your congregation, organize group activities, manage events, and handle finances—all from one platform. You can easily create member profiles, add family relationships, and assign them to groups for different ministries. If you want to keep everyone in the loop, ChMeetings also lets you send out emails, text messages, or push notifications directly to your members.
You can organize free and paid events, track attendance, and schedule volunteers, all with minimal hassle. The platform also lets you handle financial management through a simple accounting module that tracks transactions, budgets, and contributions. Additionally, the system supports creating forms for things like event sign-ups or member surveys, with options to collect digital signatures.
Realm is a church management software that offers an all-in-one approach to church administration, ministry planning, community building, accounting, and other operations. One of the key features is its comprehensive member management system, which allows churches to maintain up-to-date profiles, including member contact information and involvement in church activities. This system is integrated with tools for communication such as email and messaging, making it easy for church staff to reach out to members individually or in groups.
Additionally, Realm supports financial management and stewardship with features that simplify donation processing and financial reporting. Churches can manage tithes and offerings with options for online giving and automated record-keeping. The platform also has reporting tools that allow church administrators to generate detailed reports on attendance, financials, and other key metrics.
Sunergo is a SaaS church administration software with a volunteer management feature for volunteer scheduling and database maintenance. This church software has an online giving feature to track donations and gifts to help finance church activities. Sunergo has church accounting software for generating financial statements to help you assess your church’s financial health.
Sunergo is the best church management software for gathering insightful data on church members through attendance tracking. You can use this church management solution to record attendance counts and determine which activities attract more members. Sunergo’s attendance tracking feature lets you record and assess individual attendance to know which members require follow-ups. This church management solution also allows church leaders to generate reports on different age groups to know which groups are more active in your church and which ones require more attention.
DonorPerfect is a web-based church management software for creating a unified constituent database for storing member and donor information. This church management solution has a reporting and analytics feature for analyzing donor information and identifying fundraising opportunities. This church management software lets you automate simple yet repetitive tasks like recording donations and sending thank you notes to help you save time.
DonorPerfect is the best church management software with a fundraising feature for planning and holding fundraising events. Its ReadySetAuction feature allows you to generate auction catalogs, bid sheets, invoices, and receipts to help raise funds by holding auctions. You can use DonorPerfect to create online donor forms and embed them on your church website to convert visitors into supporters.
DonorPerfect integrates with church management software like Givecloud, Volunteer Matrix, and ShopRaise.
Church administration software with a volunteer scheduling feature
Ministry Scheduler Pro is church administration software for handling all your church’s scheduling requirements. You can use it to ensure a proper rotation of readers. Ministry Scheduler Pro lets you print sign-in sheets during services and events for attendance tracking purposes. This church software also lets you monitor training and background checks to guarantee that volunteers and employees have proper skills and training.
Ministry Scheduler Pro is the best church administration software if you want to manage the schedule of volunteers effectively. Volunteers can upload their availability to help you avoid scheduling conflicts. You can use this church software to accommodate volunteers’ preferences. Ministry Scheduler Pro automatically sends SMS and email reminders to help minimize no-shows during events and church services.
Ministry Scheduler Pro integrates with other church software, including Access ACS, ParishSOFT, Gabriel Software, and Servant Keeper.
PushPay is a church app with great donor management and online giving tools. You can use this church management system to create and maintain a membership database with personal information, interests, and contact details to get to know your congregation better. It has a resource management feature for managing the availability of venues, tools, and equipment for your church.
PushPay for churches offers a worship planning feature for holding successful worship services. You can use this church management system to create detailed worship service plans your staff and volunteers can follow. PushPay allows you to maintain a comprehensive library of songs and lyrics to make worship services livelier. You can use PushPay for churches to generate reports on worship leaders and volunteers to promote participation and prevent burnout.
PushPay integrates with other church software, including Fellowship One, Quickbooks, Servant Keeper, and Ministry Safe.
Planning Center is church management software with a membership management feature for maintaining a centralized database of membership information. This church management software has an online giving feature that gives church members several donation options, including cash, check, text-to-give, and credit/debit cards. This church management solution has a church community builder feature for organizing and maintaining church teams and groups to keep members engaged.
Planning Center is the best church management software for keeping members informed by building and maintaining a church website and mobile app. This church management system allows you to create a custom home page for welcoming visitors and members to your website. You can use Planning Center to broadcast recorded or live worship services on your church website. This church management software lets you customize the icon systems on your website and mobile app to promote your church branding.
Planning Center integrates with other church management software, including Faithlife Proclaim, MailChimp, MediaShout, and ProPresenter.
Tithe.ly is a cloud-based church management software that church leaders can use to manage small groups, volunteers, and employees. It has a worship planning feature for creating service guides, assigning songs, and coordinating volunteers. Tithe.ly admin has a fund accounting feature for monitoring your church’s financial health.
Tithe.ly is the best church management software with an event management feature for successfully creating and managing church events. You can use Tithe.ly to set up event registrations and customize the information you collect on registration forms. This church management software allows you to create multiple ticket types for paid events. Tithe.ly admin lets you use QR codes for faster and more accurate event check-ins.
Aplos is a church management software with an online giving feature that allows church members to choose how they want to send gifts and donations like cash, checks, online giving, or mobile giving. This church management software has a membership management feature for keeping an accurate record of membership data to help engage your congregation. It also has a volunteer management feature for scheduling meetings, managing volunteer sign-ups, and delegating tasks.
Aplos is the best church management software if you want to assess your church’s finances because it has integrated church accounting software. This church accounting software can track and pay bills, create invoices, and accept online payments. This church accounting software also has integrated payroll for managing church employees’ salaries, benefits, and taxes.
GoDoChurch is a church administration software for staying connected to congregants. It has a membership database to record church members and their information. Church leaders can use GoDoChurch to capture and maintain a database of church employee records like employment details, salaries, benefits, and preaching license expiration dates. The software allows you to communicate with church members through custom SMS and emails.
GoDoChurch is the best church administration software if you want to boost the discipleship program of your church because it has a module that church members can use to craft their growth path. GoDoChurch’s Growth Path Module allows members to take classes and seminars to advance their discipleship. Members can tick off activities they’ve completed to concentrate on activities they haven’t attended. Church leaders can use GoDoChurch to monitor the progress of congregants to assist struggling members.
Other Options
Here are a few more that didn’t make the top list. Some are specifically for churches, others for non-profit organizations more generally.
Other Top Church Software Tools
- 10 Best Church Bookkeeping Software For Church Accounting
- 10 Best Church Membership Software
- 10 Best Church Attendance Software For Your Congregation
- 10 Best Church Payroll Software
Selection Criteria for Church Administration Software
When selecting church administration software, I focus on functionality and how well it meets specific needs. This type of software typically includes features like member management, event scheduling, and communication tools. The goal is to spend less time on operations and more time on ministry. I've personally tested and researched these tools to find the best fit.
Core Church Administration Software Functionality - 25% of total weighting score
Common features for church administration software typically include member tracking, event scheduling, volunteer management, donation tracking, communication tools, reporting, mobile access, integration capabilities, attendance tracking, and task management.
To be considered for inclusion on my list of the best church administration software, the solution had to support the ability to fulfill common use cases:
- Managing and tracking member information
- Scheduling events and coordinating calendars
- Handling donations and financial tracking
- Communicating with members and volunteers
- Generating reports for leadership and operations
Additional Standout Features - 25% of total weighting score
- Unique customization options that allow you to tailor workflows and reports to your church's specific needs.
- Mobile access that allows you to manage church activities from anywhere.
- Integration with existing tools like accounting software to streamline operations.
- Automation that reduces manual tasks like follow-ups and data entry.
- Enhanced security features to protect sensitive church data.
Usability - 10% of total weighting score
- An intuitive interface that even non-tech-savvy users can navigate easily.
- Drag-and-drop scheduling for quick calendar updates.
- Clear, well-organized menus that minimize the learning curve.
- Responsive design that works well on both desktop and mobile devices.
Onboarding - 10% of total weighting score
- Quick setup with step-by-step guidance to get started.
- Interactive product tours that walk you through essential features.
- Availability of training videos and webinars for team education.
- Pre-built templates to simplify the initial setup.
- Chatbots or live chat support during the onboarding phase for immediate help.
Customer Support - 10% of total weighting score
- 24/7 availability to assist with any issues.
- Access to a dedicated support team familiar with church operations.
- A well-organized knowledge base for self-help.
- Multiple channels of support, including email, phone, and chat.
- Quick response times to resolve issues efficiently.
Value For Money - 10% of total weighting score
- Pricing that aligns with the features offered.
- Flexible pricing plans that accommodate churches of different sizes.
- No hidden fees or unexpected costs.
- Discount options for nonprofits or small churches.
- Ability to scale the service as your church grows without excessive cost increases.
Customer Reviews - 10% of total weighting score
- Positive feedback regarding ease of use and functionality.
- High ratings for customer support and responsiveness.
- Consistent praise for the software's reliability.
- Feedback that highlights the tool's impact on church operations.
- User comments on the software's ability to save time and improve efficiency.
Trends in Church Administration Software for 2024
As 2024 continues to unfold, church administration software is developing rapidly to keep pace, driven by the need for more efficient management of church operations and deeper engagement with congregations.
My team and I have been keeping our collective ear to the ground, reviewing product updates, press releases, and release logs from the leading tools in this space. We've observed several key trends shaping the future of church administration technology.
- Automation of Routine Tasks: Many software providers are focusing on enhancing automation, such as auto-scheduling, automated communication, and donation tracking. This trend reduces the time spent on manual tasks, allowing churches to focus more on ministry.
- Mobile-First Design: There is a significant push towards improving mobile accessibility. Features like mobile app updates and responsive design improvements are becoming standard, reflecting the demand for on-the-go access to church management tools.
- Advanced Reporting and Analytics: New tools are being introduced that offer more sophisticated reporting and data analysis. These features help church leaders make data-driven decisions, which are increasingly important in today’s environment.
- Customization Options: There’s a growing emphasis on customization, allowing churches to tailor software to fit their unique workflows and processes. This trend indicates a shift away from one-size-fits-all solutions towards more adaptable tools.
- Decline of Desktop-Only Solutions: Desktop-only solutions are becoming less common, with more churches demanding cloud-based, accessible-from-anywhere platforms. This shift reflects the need for flexibility and real-time access to church data.
These trends reflect the evolving needs of church leaders and the ongoing demand for tools that simplify church operations while enhancing engagement and security.
So... What is Church Administration Software, Anyway?
Church administration software is a tool that helps churches manage their daily operations more efficiently. It’s like having a digital assistant that handles everything from keeping track of members and scheduling events to managing donations and coordinating volunteers. Instead of juggling spreadsheets and paper forms, this software puts everything in one place, making it easier for pastors and church staff to focus on ministry. Whether you’re running a small church or a large multi-campus ministry, church administration software simplifies the behind-the-scenes work so you can spend more time serving your congregation.
Top Features of Church Admin Software
When you're choosing church administration software to help you spend less energy on operations and more on ministry, it's important to focus on features that make your job easier. Here are the most important ones to consider:
- Automation of Routine Tasks: Automating tasks like scheduling and member follow-ups reduces the manual workload, giving you more time to focus on ministry.
- Centralized Communication Tools: Built-in email and messaging systems keep all your communication in one place, making it easier to stay connected without juggling multiple platforms.
- Membership Management: This feature helps you organize and access member information quickly, so you can spend less time managing data and more time caring for your congregation.
- Attendance Tracking: Tracking who’s attending services and events helps you understand engagement levels without extra manual work, so you can address spiritual needs faster.
- Giving Management: Managing donations through the software simplifies tracking and reporting, freeing up time that would otherwise be spent on financial admin tasks.
- Event Planning Tools: Tools that help you plan and coordinate events streamline the process, allowing you to organize church activities efficiently with minimal effort.
- Customizable Reporting: Being able to generate reports that fit your specific needs saves time on data analysis, letting you focus on applying the insights to your ministry.
- Volunteer Management: Tools for scheduling and communicating with volunteers ensure everyone is where they need to be, reducing the time spent on coordinating people.
- Mobile Access: Accessing the software from your phone or tablet means you can handle tasks on the go, making it easier to stay on top of things without being tied to a desk.
- Integration Capabilities: The ability to integrate with other tools like accounting or email platforms keeps everything connected, cutting down on the time needed to switch between different systems.
When you choose software with these features, you’ll find that running church operations becomes simpler and less time-consuming. This gives you the freedom to focus more on what really matters—ministering to your congregation.
Benefits to Expect
In broad strokes, church administration software is designed to streamline operations, enhance communication, and improve overall church management, making life easier for church leaders and their teams.
In addition to that, though, here are other benefits you can expect:
- Time Savings: Automating routine tasks like scheduling, communication, and donation tracking frees up time, allowing church staff to focus on ministry rather than administrative work.
- Improved Communication: Centralized communication tools ensure that messages reach the right people quickly and efficiently, reducing misunderstandings and keeping everyone on the same page.
- Enhanced Data Management: The software organizes and stores member data in one accessible place, making it easier to retrieve information and generate reports when needed.
- Better Event Coordination: With integrated event planning features, churches can schedule, manage, and promote events more effectively, leading to higher attendance and smoother operations.
- Financial Transparency: Tools for managing donations and finances provide clear, detailed reports, helping churches maintain transparency and build trust with their congregation.
Using church administration software brings these benefits to life, helping churches operate more efficiently and allowing leaders to devote more time and energy to their ministry work. The right software can make a significant difference in how smoothly a church runs, impacting everything from communication to financial management.
Costs & Pricing for Church Administration Software
When evaluating church administration software plans and pricing, choose an option that aligns with your church’s needs and budget. This software typically offers a range of plans, from free options for smaller churches to more comprehensive plans for larger congregations.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of typical plan types, their average pricing, and the features they typically include.
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features | Best For... |
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic member management, limited event scheduling, basic communication tools | Small churches with limited budgets |
| Basic Plan | $20-$50/month | Member management, event scheduling, donation tracking, basic reporting | Churches starting to automate processes |
| Standard Plan | $50-$100/month | Advanced member management, volunteer coordination, email marketing integration, customizable reports | Medium-sized churches with growing needs |
| Premium Plan | $100-$200/month | Full-featured tools including mobile app access, advanced reporting, multi-campus support, comprehensive financial management | Large churches with complex operations |
| Enterprise Plan | Custom Pricing | Tailored features, dedicated support, custom integrations, unlimited users | Mega-churches or multi-site churches needing full customization |
When choosing a plan, consider the size of your church, the complexity of your operations, and your budget. Each plan offers different features and levels of support, so select the one that best fits your needs now and in the future.
Church Administration Software Frequently Asked Questions
How secure is this software when it comes to protecting sensitive member information?
Church administration software generally includes robust security features like data encryption, user access controls, and regular backups. These measures ensure that sensitive information, such as member details and donation records, is well-protected. Many platforms also comply with privacy regulations, offering peace of mind when handling personal data.
Can this type of software help me track and manage volunteer hours efficiently?
Yes, most church administration software includes tools for tracking volunteer hours. You can schedule shifts, assign tasks, and monitor participation. Some systems even allow volunteers to log their own hours, which can streamline the process and reduce administrative work for your staff.
Does the software allow for integration with other church-specific tools, like Bible study apps or sermon preparation tools?
Many church administration software platforms offer integration capabilities with a variety of church-specific tools. This means you can connect your software with Bible study apps, sermon preparation tools, and even worship planning systems, creating a seamless workflow across all your church activities.
How does the software handle multi-campus church management?
Church administration software often includes features specifically designed for multi-campus management. You can oversee multiple locations from a single dashboard, with options to manage events, communications, and finances for each campus individually or collectively. This makes it easier to maintain consistency and control across all your sites.
Can the software help us manage our church’s online presence, including social media and website updates?
Some church administration software platforms offer built-in tools or integrations for managing your church’s online presence. This can include updating your website, scheduling social media posts, and even sending out newsletters. These features help keep your congregation informed and engaged with minimal effort.
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