Churches today are complex operations with lots of activity and deep roots in the community. Thanks to church communications software, it’s now easier than ever to communicate with congregations, keep people engaged, and maximize attendance.
The Best Church Communication Software
Here’s a shortlist of the best church communication solutions:
- TextMagic - Best for two-way communications
- Subsplash - Best all-in-one church communication software
- One Church Software - Best for empowering volunteers
- Planning Center - Best for managing church resources
- Elexio - Best for mass email communication
- Aplos - Best communication software with cash balancing
- Servant Keeper - Best for digital discipleship
- Breeze - Best for event planning communication
- Church Windows - Best for membership reports
- Neon One - Best for communication & marketing solution
- Trumpia - Best texting software for churches
- Pushpay - Best for building a church smartphone app
Church Communication Solutions: Comparison Criteria
What do I look for when I select the best church management system for communication? Here’s a summary of my evaluation criteria:
- User Interface (UI): Is it clean, attractive, and appropriate for church use?
- Usability: Is it easy for non-professionals (such as church members) to master? Does the company offer tech support, user support, tutorials, and training that works with church needs (like a contact center available on weekends)?
- Integrations: Is it easy to connect with other church management tools? Are there any pre-built integrations? Does the tool connect with all popular communication solutions, like email, social media, SMS, website notices, and anything else you use daily?
- Value for $: How appropriate is the price for nonprofit organizations? Is pricing clear, transparent and flexible?
Church Communication Tools: Key Features
Here are some key features to look for when selecting church communication software:
- Supports your preferred messaging channels: offers a range of options to tailor your communications (from social media to text messages)
- Database management: enables you to update your list of contacts easily
- Engagement tools: offers features designed to increase engagement from members of the congregation
- Integrates with popular church management software: works with church accounting, church management software, etc.
- Simple to use: makes it easy for inexperienced team members to start using the software
- Scalable: grows as your church and its requirements develop
- Faith-based compliance: designed to be suitable for use by most faith-based or religious groups
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Overviews Of The 12 Best Church Communication Software
Here’s a brief description of each of the best church management software solutions with membership communication features. I’ll go over some best use cases, feature highlights, and provide screenshots to give you a glimpse of their inner workings.
1. TextMagic - Best for two-way communications
TextMagic is an easy-to-use text messaging platform catering to businesses, churches, and NGOs alike, facilitating text message sending and receiving as well as automated communication. Churches can leverage TextMagic to deliver important announcements, event reminders, prayer requests, and inspirational messages directly to their congregation via text, ensuring prompt and personalized communication.
TextMagic's automation capabilities empower churches to schedule recurring messages, automate welcome sequences for new members, and set up keyword-based auto-responses for specific inquiries, optimizing efficiency and fostering increased engagement.
TextMagic empowers businesses, including churches, with a comprehensive two-way texting solution that enables them not only to send messages but also to receive and respond to incoming texts. By leveraging dedicated virtual mobile numbers or SMS sender IDs, churches can receive messages from their congregation and actively engage in real-time conversations.
TextMagic's platform facilitates the management of incoming messages with features like SMS chat, merge fields, and text message templates. It also offers a carrier lookup & validation tool and real-time text cost control.
TextMagic starts at $0.049/text + $10/month for a virtual number or SMS sender ID. They offer a 30-day free trial.
2. Subsplash - Best all-in-one church communication software
Subsplash is a comprehensive platform that provides a suite of tools designed to assist churches in managing and engaging their communities. The platform offers a range of features including custom-branded mobile and TV apps, a website builder, digital giving with donor management, media hosting and live streaming, church management tools, secure messaging, and event management. This wide array of features makes Subsplash a robust solution for comprehensive church engagement and communications management.
Subsplash offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance churches' communication with their congregation. Within the platform, churches can create personalized mobile apps, enabling members to foster connections through in-app messaging groups, access sermon videos, and receive timely push notifications for upcoming events and vital announcements. Subsplash also equips churches with tools for crafting and overseeing their own church websites, complete with customizable templates, event calendars, and eye-catching announcement banners.
Subsplash provides a diverse range of tools for streamlined church communication through email and SMS. The platform empowers users to effortlessly compose and dispatch emails and text messages to distinct church groups, including volunteers, small group participants, and newcomers.
Subsplash supports the creation of automated email campaigns, such as welcoming series for first-time visitors or event reminders. The platform also offers comprehensive analytics to monitor the performance of email and SMS campaigns, including metrics like open rates and click-through rates.
Subsplash One offers pricing upon request.
3. One Church Software - Best for empowering volunteers
One Church Software is a cloud-based church management system that helps ministries reach out to local communities and streamline daily operations. Features include text messaging, workflow creation, and volunteer management.
One Church Software can be used for church communications by providing a centralized platform that streamlines and enhances communication processes within the church. It offers features such as email and text messaging integration, allowing churches to easily send out announcements, newsletters, event invitations, and updates to their congregation.
One Church Software also enables targeted messaging, ensuring that specific groups or individuals receive relevant information. Additionally, it facilitates two-way communication by allowing recipients to respond to messages, increasing engagement and fostering community participation. Overall, One Church Software empowers churches to efficiently manage their communications, improving connectivity and fostering stronger relationships within their community.
One Church Software allows you to update contact preferences, send follow-up messages through the system, and inform members of upcoming church events. You can automate text in church messaging, emails, communications, and promotions.
One Church Software costs from $24/user/month and a free 14-day trial is available.
4. Planning Center - Best for managing church resources
Planning Center is a suite of cloud-based applications designed to support church leaders in planning, scheduling, and managing church programs. The software is modular in design, so you only pay for the tools you need.
Planning Center can be used for church communications as a comprehensive tool that facilitates efficient communication and coordination within the church community. It offers features such as email and text messaging integration, allowing churches to send out important announcements, event reminders, and updates to their congregation.
Additionally, Planning Center provides tools for organizing and scheduling volunteers, enabling seamless communication with team members regarding their responsibilities and any changes or updates. It also allows for the creation of interactive event registration forms, making it easier for members to sign up and receive relevant information. With Planning Center, churches can enhance their communication strategies, ensuring effective and timely dissemination of information to their members and volunteers.
The publishing module allows you to create content and share it with your congregation. You can use customizable pages and the Android/iOS mobile app to distribute sermons and other messages.
Planning Center costs from $14/user/month and a 30-day free trial is available.
5. Elexio - Best for mass email communication
Elexio church administration software helps you to communicate with your members using text, mass emails, or voicemail. The system integrates church management software with church website design, check-in, giving kiosks, and a church mobile app.
Elexio can be used for church communications as a robust platform that facilitates effective and streamlined communication within the church community. It offers features such as email and text messaging capabilities, allowing churches to send out announcements, newsletters, event invitations, and updates to their members.
Elexio also provides tools for managing contact lists, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information for targeted messaging. Additionally, it offers integration with social media platforms, enabling churches to extend their reach and engage with members through multiple channels. With Elexio, churches can optimize their communication strategies, fostering strong connections, and promoting active participation within their community.
Key features include attendance tracking, contribution management, and automated workflows. You can also coordinate worship services and schedule volunteers.
Elexio costs from $35.13/user/month and a 30-day free trial is available.
6. Aplos - Best communication software with cash balancing
Aplos offers a range of software tools to help large and small churches run more efficiently. Aplos offers custom communications, along with fund accounting software, church membership management, donation management, and reporting.
Aplos can be used for church communications as a comprehensive platform that facilitates efficient communication and engagement within the church community. It offers features such as email marketing and mass communication tools, allowing churches to send out personalized emails, newsletters, and event invitations to their congregation. Aplos also integrates with social media platforms, enabling churches to easily share updates and engage with their members across different channels.
Additionally, it provides tools for managing contact lists and tracking member engagement, ensuring targeted messaging and effective follow-up. With Aplos, churches can streamline their communication efforts, strengthen connections, and foster active participation and involvement within their community.
With Aplos, churches of all sizes can handle all their communications and group management needs in one place. This user-friendly software is well suited to small groups and medium-sized churches.
Aplos pricing starts from $29.50/user/month and a free trial is available.
7. Servant Keeper - Best for digital discipleship
Servant Keeper helps faith-based organizations organize operations more efficiently. It's easy to communicate with members by email, track attendance and pinpoint volunteers with skills needed for specific events.
Servant Keeper can be used for church communications as a versatile platform that helps churches effectively communicate with their members and manage various aspects of church administration. It offers features such as email and text messaging capabilities, allowing churches to send out announcements, event reminders, and updates to their congregation. Servant Keeper also provides tools for managing contact information, tracking attendance, and creating targeted communication lists based on specific criteria.
Additionally, it enables churches to schedule and automate communication, ensuring timely and consistent delivery of messages. With Servant Keeper, churches can enhance their communication strategies, improve engagement, and maintain strong connections with their members, ultimately fostering a vibrant and connected church community.
Visitors can be excluded from member-only communications. Other features include modules for child check-in, online scheduling, and accounting.
Servant Keeper is priced from $9.99/user/month and a free trial is available.
8. Breeze - Best for event planning communication
Breeze church management software is a cloud-based solution for small to medium-sized churches. The intuitive interface allows you to search and find contact information quickly, tag people as required, and customize accordingly.
Breeze can be used for church communications as a powerful platform that simplifies and enhances communication processes within the church community. It provides features such as email and text messaging integration, allowing churches to easily send out announcements, newsletters, event invitations, and updates to their congregation. Breeze also enables targeted messaging, making it possible to create communication groups based on specific criteria or demographics within the church.
Additionally, it offers tools for tracking member engagement and communication history, ensuring personalized and meaningful interactions. Breeze's intuitive interface and mobile app capabilities make it convenient for both church staff and members to access and engage with communication materials. With Breeze, churches can optimize their communication strategies, strengthen relationships, and foster active involvement within their community.
Breeze also offers features to help with event registration, printing name tags, and tracking attendance. Alerts can be set to highlight individuals who have ceased attending for a given number of weeks.
This software suite costs from $50/month and a free demo is offered.
9. Church Windows - Best for membership reports
Church Windows helps religious organizations manage administrative tasks and day-to-day interactions with followers. The system can be deployed either in the cloud or on-premises. You can also build a unified church calendar to keep track of community happenings, track your budget, and pay church employees.
Church Windows can be used for church communications as a comprehensive software solution that aids in effective communication and engagement within the church community. It provides features such as email and text messaging integration, allowing churches to send out important announcements, newsletters, event invitations, and updates to their congregation. Church Windows also offers tools for managing contact information, tracking member participation, and generating reports to analyze communication effectiveness.
Additionally, it facilitates targeted messaging by enabling churches to segment their audience based on various criteria. With Church Windows, churches can streamline their communication efforts, ensure timely and relevant messaging, and foster strong connections with their members.
Church Windows enables church administrators to view and track household and individual records, record interaction notes, perform accounting duties, and create visitation reports. Church Windows’ customer support is top-notch and they can help you make the most out of the tool according to your needs.
Pricing starts from $80/user/month. There is no free trial option.
10. Neon One - Best for communication & marketing solution
Neon One is a cloud-based contact management solution for nonprofit organizations of all sizes. The built-in fundraising tools include add-ons for email blasts, donor management, and automated membership renewals. They offer different modules for communication management, customer relationship management (CRM), fundraising, payroll, and website building.
The system can be customized to match the look and feel of an existing website, and event pages can be configured as required. Administrators can send automated event notifications to registered attendees. They integrate with apps like QuickBooks, Mailchimp, TrueGivers, Eventbrite, and Windfall.
Neon One can be used for church communications as a comprehensive platform that empowers churches to effectively connect and engage with their community. It provides features such as email marketing and text messaging capabilities, allowing churches to send out personalized communications, newsletters, event invitations, and donation appeals. Neon One also offers integrated donor management tools, enabling churches to track and analyze communication interactions with their members, donors, and volunteers.
With robust segmentation options, churches can create targeted communication lists based on specific demographics or engagement levels. Additionally, Neon One integrates with social media platforms, expanding churches' reach and enhancing their online presence. Overall, Neon One equips churches with the tools they need to implement cohesive and impactful communication strategies, fostering strong relationships and driving community involvement.
Neon One pricing starts from $49/user/month. There is no free trial, but a demo can be arranged.
11. Trumpia - Best texting software for churches
Trumpia helps churches communicate with members through an automated SMS platform. Administrators can easily send messages, collect contacts, conduct outreach, engage with visitors or new members, and improve attendance.
Features of the system include mobile keywords, mass texting, one-to-one texting, text giving, auto-response, and contact cleanup. Multiple campaigns can be run via SMS, email, or social media platforms.
Trumpia can be used for church communications as a versatile platform that enables churches to efficiently connect and engage with their members. It provides a range of features such as text messaging, email marketing, and social media integration, allowing churches to send out announcements, event reminders, inspirational messages, and updates to their congregation through various channels. Trumpia also offers automated messaging capabilities, enabling churches to schedule recurring communications or set up personalized campaigns based on specific events or triggers.
Additionally, it provides tools for managing contact lists, tracking message delivery, and analyzing engagement metrics, enabling churches to optimize their communication strategies and foster stronger connections within their community. With Trumpia, churches can effectively reach and communicate with their members, enhancing engagement, and facilitating meaningful interactions.
Trumpia costs from $36/user/month. A free trial is available.
12. Pushpay - Best for building a church smartphone app
Pushpay assists churches in managing a range of operations. Church admins can create a database of donor information, including contact details. PushPay offers a no-code solution to building a smartphone app for your church, including a dynamic home screen, visual customizations, interactive notifications, and a built-in audio player.
Pushpay can be used for church communications as a comprehensive platform that streamlines and enhances communication processes within the church community. It offers features such as personalized push notifications, in-app messaging, and email integration, allowing churches to send out announcements, event reminders, sermon notes, and other important updates directly to their congregation's mobile devices. Pushpay also facilitates targeted messaging by enabling churches to segment their audience based on specific criteria such as demographics or group membership.
Additionally, it provides tools for managing contact information, tracking member engagement, and analyzing communication effectiveness. With Pushpay, churches can optimize their communication strategies, increase engagement, and strengthen connections with their members, resulting in a more connected and informed church community.
Data can be imported from third-party sources or uploaded through the PushPay portal. Customer support is available via an online knowledge base.
Pushpay pricing starts from $199 a month. There is no free trial.
Other Church Management Software Options
Here are a few more that didn’t make the top list.
- Click Nonprofit - Best for free Google advertising
- Church Teams - Best for discipleship communications
- CDM+ - Best for complete data integration
- Excellerate - Best for automated follow-up letters
- Faithful Steward by Diakonia - Best for an affordable solution
- Donarius - Best for tracking contributions
- Wild Apricot - Best for building an online store
- Attendance Now - Best HTML email builder
- Church Software by Grplife - Best free church website & hosting
- TouchPoint by Pursuant - Best for fundraising analytics
- Together+ by Aware3 - Best forms & registration tools
- ChurchTrac - Best for service outlines with a song library
- FellowshipOne - Best for background checks
- Connection Card Pro - Best for large churches
- FaithLife - Best for sermon prep
- ACS - Best for large churches
- Tithe.ly - Best for automating tithe collection
You might also like: 10 Best Free Church Management Software
What software do churches use?
Most churches today use specialized church management (ChMS) software to run their organizations efficiently. Many different software vendors develop applications specifically for this large, growing market. Pastors may require specialized functionality for venue upkeep, website & app building, real-time communication, discipleship tracking, fundraising & collections, event management, and even accounting & payroll.
What is ChMS software?
Church management software (also known as ChMS software) is the range of applications used by churches and related institutions to manage operations more effectively. ChMS software covers everything from attendance recording to people management and helps to simplify complex church procedures.
Related Read: Complete Guide To Church Management For Lead Pastors
What Do You Think About These Church Management Systems and Communication Tools?
Do these systems help you communicate with your congregation, or are the old ways better? Let us know what you think in the comments below. While you’re here, be sure to check out this article on streaming software for churches, too.
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Complete How-To Guide To Church Records Management
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