10 The Best Church Giving App Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 24 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Choosing the right church giving app can be a game-changer for your ministry. It’s not just about collecting donations; it’s about making giving easy and secure for your congregation while freeing up more time for you to focus on what matters most—ministry.
In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know to pick the best giving app for your church, based on my hands-on experience with the top tools available.
Let’s dive in and find the perfect fit for your church’s needs.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
My team and I have been testing and reviewing church giving apps since we launched this publication in 2019. As pastors and church leaders ourselves, we know firsthand how tough it can be to pick the right software… we’ve also been on the OTHER side of that choice, and reaped the great benefits of the ‘just right’ tool for our churches and ministries.
We dive deep into research because we want to help you make better decisions when it comes to buying software. We've tested over 2,000 tools for different church needs and written more than 1,000 detailed reviews.
We've put in the hard work so you don't have to. Learn how we stay transparent and our online church management software review methodology.
The 10 Best Church Giving Apps Summary
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
ChMeetings | From $12/month | Website |
Anedot | Doesn’t have a lump-sum monthly cost but uses a per-transaction fee system at 3.0% + 30¢ (Credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal) or 0.3% + 30¢ (ACH/bank draft). | Website |
My Well Ministry | starts at $49/month for up to 100 gifts | Website |
easyTithe | From 1.99% + 39¢ per debit/credit gift OR 0.75% + 39¢ per ACH gift | Website |
PushPay | pricing is available upon request. | Website |
DONATION | Costs nothing during the initial year and $20/year for renewals, while DONATION Standard costs $100/year | Website |
Realm | Pricing upon request | Website |
Vanco | pricing starts at $10/month for churches receiving less than $20,000 per month in donations. | Website |
Gyve | doesn’t charge sign-up or monthly fees, just transaction fees at 2.5% + $0.30 or $1.30 depending on the feature. | Website |
FlockBase | Basic plan costs $15/month, plus plan for $29/month and pro plan for $59/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow to Choose a Church Giving App
As you work through your own unique software selection process, keep the following points in mind:
- Ease of Use: A church giving app should be simple for both the church staff and congregation to use. If the app is too complicated, people won’t use it. Look for an app with a clean, straightforward interface that makes giving easy, whether folks are tech-savvy or not. For example, an app that allows members to set up recurring donations with just a few clicks can save a lot of time and hassle.
- Integration with Church Management Software: Your church giving app should work seamlessly with your existing church management software (ChMS). If it doesn't integrate well, you'll spend more time manually entering data, which can lead to errors and frustration. Look for an app that syncs donations, member information, and financial records automatically, saving your team time and reducing the risk of mistakes.
- Security Features: When dealing with financial transactions, security is critical. The app must have robust security features to protect sensitive information like bank details and donation amounts. Look for apps that offer encryption, secure payment gateways, and compliance with financial regulations. This ensures your congregation's trust and keeps their data safe.
- Reporting and Analytics: A good church giving app should provide clear, detailed reports that help you track donations and understand giving patterns. This is vital for budgeting and planning. For example, an app that breaks down donations by fund or campaign can help you see which areas need more focus or where you're meeting goals.
- Support for Multiple Giving Methods: People give in different ways, so your app should support multiple giving methods—online, text, mobile, or even via a kiosk at church. The more options you provide, the easier it is for people to give in a way that suits them. For instance, younger members might prefer mobile giving, while older congregants might stick with online or text donations.
These considerations will help you choose a church giving app that fits your needs and serves your congregation well.
Overviews Of The 10 Best Church Giving Apps
Here’s a brief description of each church giving apps to showcase each giving solution’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the interface.
ChMeetings church management software provides a comprehensive solution for managing church operations, including features that support church giving. The software allows members and non-members to donate both online and offline, offering various payment methods and options for one-time or recurring donations.
The mobile app, accessible on both Android and iOS platforms, enables admins and members to stay connected. They can send and receive notifications and messages, manage and view events, register for them, and perform other role-specific tasks.
When it comes to giving, the app also facilitates fundraisers and donation collection, allowing members to give on the go while providing admins with the ability to track pledges and monitor overall contributions. ChMeetings integrates with MailChimp, PayPal, Twilio, and SMSGlobal.
Anedot is a mobile giving app that accepts donations using credit cards, debit cards, bank drafts, Apple Pay, and PayPal. Anedot has a reporting tool you can use to assess your fundraising capabilities and improve on fundraising efforts that are not yielding results.
Anedot is the best mobile giving app to partner with another local church or a group on a fundraising activity. As long as the other church or group has an Anedot account, you can raise funds together and increase the likelihood of hitting your goals. Partnering exposes your church to other church’s donors, increases name recall and might help you convert them to your donors too.
Anedot integrates with MailChimp, Google Analytics, Planning Center, and other similar apps.
My Well Ministry is a church giving app that you can use to receive donations from church members safely and securely with the help of biometric security.
My Well Ministry is accessible via desktop browser or a smartphone app accessible on Android and iOS devices. You can use the app to generate receipts and yearly statements to promote transparency and inspire confidence among donors.
My Well Ministry is the best giving platform for handling multiple fund categories because it allows church members to indicate which pool they want to donate to. Donors can also indicate if their donation to a specific fund is just a one-time donation or a recurring one.
Church leaders can benefit from this feature because they can encourage congregants to donate to causes that matter most to them: the church facility maintenance, non-profit contributions, mission trips for youth, or annual events.
easyTithe is an online giving and church tithing app that makes donating, contributing, and tithing easier for church members because they can donate through text, using online forms, kiosks, or virtual terminals. It also has reporting functionality you can use to understand your donors and prevailing giving trends better.
easyTithe also provides your church members with the option to automate donations based on their preferred amounts and frequencies, so they don’t need to repeat the process each time.
easyTithe is best for church leaders who need a giving form for their website because it comes with customizable templates or a from-scratch drag-and-drop builder. Using forms can help you organize your fundraising efforts because you can create separate forms for different campaigns. You can also add images, texts, and colors in different forms to make them stand out.
Pushpay is part of the ChurchStaq family of products for church management, virtual giving, and even service streaming solutions. Pushpay lets members make donations either through mobile app, web browser, or text message, making it possible to give no matter what time of day. Pushpay is available in English and Spanish.
Pushpay is part of ChurchStaq, which means its virtual giving technology integrates with other software solutions for a holistic church management approach. For churches who host online services or events, ChurchStaq can accommodate streaming solutions alongside digital donation and tithe apps. You can manage your whole church community online.
Pushpay integrates with Intuit QuickBooks and a wide range of church management systems such as Elvanto, OneChurch, and Church Community Builder.
DONATION is an online giving app that you can use to track donations to your church and manage your database of donors. This giving platform allows you to send mail correspondence to donors to thank them for their contributions.
DONATION is the best online giving platform for small churches because you can get the program for free for the initial year. The cost for managing less than 100,000 donations a year is just $100 per year, making it competitive in pricing.
DONATION also allows you to send charitable receipts that comply with US and Canadian standards.
Realm is a church management software that supports the diverse needs of church administration and ministry. As a church giving app, it offers features to facilitate online and mobile giving, which can be connected with other church management workflows, like financials and accounting.
The app allows donors to make single or recurring electronic payments, manage pledges, and view their giving history. It supports various payment methods, including debit cards, credit cards, and eChecks, and integrates these financial transactions into the Realm church management software for ease of tracking and reporting. You also have the option to automatically post donation deposits into your general ledger.
The app also includes features for donor management, fund management, batch entry, check scanning, and self-service contribution statements. Additionally, Realm offers tools for church members to manage their giving from their mobile devices and track progress toward their pledge goals. These features are all aimed at encouraging consistent personal giving.
Vanco is a church giving tool with additional features for seating capacity management, in-app communication, and directory administration. The app also acts as a centralized hub for online worship where members can access materials like online bulletins and Zoom links.
Vanco provides church members with a wide variety of options when it comes to modes of giving. Members can use a web-based portal, text-to-give, a Vanco kiosk device (provided by the company), or their mobile accessory for card payments on-the-go.
Vanco is one of the few church giving apps that offers physical solutions for in-person giving, like a kiosk (branded to your church specifications) and a card-reader called GivePlus Swipe that can plug into smart devices and accept ad hoc credit and debit payments. This ensures that your congregation has a variety of ways to donate based on what they find easiest.
GYVE is a mobile giving app you can download from Google Play or Apple’s App Store, making it easy to use on any mobile device. It allows you to create personalized text messages, emails, and videos to ensure that you are connecting to your congregation.
You can use GYVE to schedule and automate your communications and create messages in advance, like fundraising campaigns, thank you notes, and donation receipts.
GYVE is a great giving app for donation tracking and analytics with an intuitive dashboard that takes the pain out of accounting. You can use GYVE to sort information by the location of the donors, type of giving, or gift category so you can understand your donors better.
GYVE also lets you generate reports that you can use in formulating action plans that can help improve your fundraisings, like reports on lapsed givers, decreased givers, and transaction detail reports.
FlockBase is an all-in-one church management app with an online giving feature to receive contributions via credit card, debit card, or eCheck. It allows your donors to schedule recurring donations or contribute as a one-time action.
FlockBase’s online giving feature also allows users to choose where they want to allocate their donations, making it ideal for donors who are passionate about a particular project in your church, like choir enthusiasts or Sunday school supporters.
FlockBase is best for maintaining the donation records of church members. You can use FlockBase to track which causes a church member supports and the amount they contribute so you can concentrate on improving fundraising efforts for areas that receive less support.
Other Church Giving App Options
Here’s a few more that didn’t make the top list.
Other Church Financial Software Reviews
If you are looking for other financial software for churches, here are a few other but similar lists I've put together on this site.
- Church Finance Software
- Church Accounting Software
- Church Bookkeeping Software
- Church Payroll Software
- Donor Management Software Comparison
- Church Giving Software
Church Giving App Selection Criteria
When selecting a church giving app, I focus on functionality and how well it meets the specific needs of pastors and church leaders. The features in these apps should help reduce the time spent on operations so pastors can focus more on ministry. I've personally tried and researched these tools to ensure they meet the criteria that matter most.
Core Church Giving App Functionality: 25% of total weighting score
Common features for a church giving app typically include online giving, mobile giving, text-to-give, recurring donations, donation tracking, reporting, fund management, integration with church management systems, secure payment processing, and donor management.
To be considered for inclusion on my list of the best church giving apps, the solution had to support the ability to fulfill common use cases:
- Processing one-time and recurring donations
- Providing multiple giving options (online, mobile, text)
- Generating reports on donations and giving patterns
- Managing donor information and communication
- Integrating seamlessly with existing church management software
Additional Standout Features: 25% of total weighting score
- Apps that automatically track donations and generate customizable receipts
- Tools that provide real-time financial insights and analytics
- Solutions that offer multi-platform giving options, like mobile and text
- Secure payment gateways that protect sensitive information
- Apps that send automated thank-you notes and reminders to donors
Usability: 10% of total weighting score
- Simple and intuitive interface that's easy for both staff and congregants to use
- Quick access to key features like donation tracking and reporting
- Streamlined navigation with minimal clicks needed to complete tasks
- Clear and organized layout that reduces the learning curve
Onboarding: 10% of total weighting score
- Availability of training videos and step-by-step tutorials
- Interactive product tours that guide new users through key features
- Chatbots and webinars for immediate support during the onboarding process
- Pre-built templates for setting up common giving scenarios
- Easy data migration from existing systems to start using the app quickly
Customer Support: 10% of total weighting score
- 24/7 customer support availability
- Knowledgeable support teams familiar with church operations
- Multiple support channels like live chat, email, and phone
- Quick response times and effective solutions to common issues
- Availability of online help centers or FAQ sections for self-service support
Value For Money: 10% of total weighting score
- Competitive pricing that fits within a church’s budget
- Transparent pricing structure with no hidden fees
- Scalable plans that grow with the church's needs
- Features that provide significant time savings, justifying the cost
- Free trials or demos to test the app before committing to a purchase
Customer Reviews: 10% of total weighting score
- Consistently positive feedback from churches that have used the app
- High ratings on user-friendliness and functionality
- Testimonials that highlight the app’s impact on reducing administrative work
- Reviews that mention strong customer support and ease of integration
- Feedback on the app’s reliability and performance in real-world use
These criteria ensure that the church giving app I recommend will truly help pastors and church leaders spend less time on operations and more time on ministry.
Offering Online Giving Options Stabilizes and Increases Church Revenue Streams.
Online giving software can significantly impact your church finances, offering numerous benefits that contribute to increased revenue and improved financial management. Vanco Payments, a prominent church payment processer, has observed the following:
Increased Donation Amounts and Frequency
Churches that implement online giving platforms typically see increase in both the frequency and size of member donations:
- The average donation size tends to be larger compared to traditional cash or check donations.
- Churches that adopted online giving saw a 20% increase in overall donations within the first three months.
- Congregants can easily set up recurring donations, providing churches with a steady and predictable income stream.
Trends in Church Giving App for 2024
In 2024, church giving apps are evolving rapidly, driven by the need to streamline church operations and enhance the giving experience. Recent product updates and press releases show clear trends in the features and functionality that are gaining importance, as well as those that are becoming less relevant.
Here's what the latest developments tell us:
Evolving and Popular Features
- Multi-Platform Giving Options: More apps are expanding support for mobile, online, and text giving, making it easier for congregants to donate in the way that suits them best. This trend highlights the shift towards convenience and flexibility in giving.
- Real-Time Analytics and Reporting: There's a strong focus on enhancing real-time reporting features, allowing pastors to monitor giving trends and financial health instantly. This reflects the growing need for quick, actionable insights to support decision-making.
- Automation of Administrative Tasks: Automation features, such as automatic donation tracking and customizable receipts, are becoming more common. These updates reduce the time spent on manual tasks, allowing church staff to focus more on ministry.
Novel and Unusual Functionality
- AI-Powered Donor Engagement: Some apps are starting to incorporate AI to analyze donor behavior and suggest personalized engagement strategies. This is a new and innovative way to keep donors engaged and improve overall giving.
- Blockchain for Transparency: A few cutting-edge apps are experimenting with blockchain technology to offer transparent and secure donation records. While still niche, this functionality could gain traction as churches seek more transparent financial management.
Features Increasing in Importance
- Enhanced Security Measures: As online giving becomes more widespread, robust security features like encryption and secure payment gateways are increasingly in demand. Ensuring donor trust and protecting sensitive data are top priorities.
- Integration with Church Management Systems: Seamless integration with existing church management software is becoming a must-have feature. This trend reflects the need for a unified system that simplifies operations and reduces data entry errors.
Features Losing Relevance
- Physical Donation Kiosks: With the rise of mobile and online giving, physical donation kiosks are becoming less important. Fewer churches are investing in this hardware as digital options prove more convenient and cost-effective.
- Standalone Giving Platforms: Platforms that don’t integrate with other church management tools are seeing decreased demand. Churches are moving away from standalone solutions in favor of more integrated, all-in-one systems.
These trends show a clear direction for church giving apps in 2024, focusing on convenience, integration, and security to meet the evolving needs of churches.
What is Church Giving App?
A church giving app is a digital tool that lets people donate to their church using their phone, computer, or even by text. It simplifies the process by allowing donations anytime, anywhere, without needing cash or checks. For example, instead of passing around the offering plate, members can just tap a button on their phone to give. It’s like online banking, but for supporting your church’s mission.
Features of Church Giving App
When choosing a church giving app, it's crucial to focus on features that help reduce the time and effort spent on operations. This way, pastors can put more energy into their ministry. Below are the key features to look for to achieve this goal:
- Automatic Donation Tracking: The app should automatically track all donations, which saves time on manual data entry and reduces errors, letting us focus more on ministry.
- Recurring Giving Setup: Look for an app that allows members to set up recurring donations easily. This ensures consistent giving without requiring constant reminders, freeing up time for other important tasks.
- Integrated Financial Reports: The app should generate real-time financial reports that are easy to access and understand. This helps us quickly grasp our financial situation without sifting through complicated spreadsheets.
- Customizable Receipts: Automatic and customizable receipts make it easy to acknowledge donations quickly, reducing the time spent on follow-ups while keeping our congregation engaged.
- Multi-Platform Giving Options: The app should support giving through various platforms like mobile, online, and text. This ensures that everyone can give in a way that's convenient for them, reducing the need for us to manage multiple systems.
- Automated Communication: Features that send automated thank-you messages and reminders can maintain engagement with our congregation without requiring constant oversight.
- Secure Payment Processing: The app should have strong security measures, such as encryption and secure payment gateways, to protect sensitive information, reducing the risk of security issues that could otherwise demand our attention.
- Integration with Church Management Software: It’s important that the app integrates well with our existing church management software. This saves us from the hassle of manual data entry and keeps everything running smoothly.
- User-Friendly Interface: The app should be easy to navigate for both staff and congregants, reducing the time spent on training and troubleshooting, allowing us to focus on more meaningful work.
- Detailed Analytics: Look for an app that offers detailed analytics on giving patterns. This helps us make informed decisions quickly, leaving more time for ministry.
Choosing a church giving app with these features ensures that we spend less time on operations and more time doing what matters most: serving our congregation and focusing on ministry.
Benefits of Church Giving App
Using a church giving app provides significant benefits for both users and organizations, making it a crucial tool for churches that want to streamline operations and enhance their giving processes. Here are five primary benefits that highlight why investing in a church giving app is a smart move for any church looking to improve its financial management and donor engagement.
- Increased Giving Flexibility: Church giving apps allow congregants to donate in various ways, such as online, through mobile devices, or via text. This flexibility makes it easier for people to give, leading to more consistent donations.
- Time-Saving Automation: The app automates many administrative tasks, like tracking donations and generating receipts, which reduces the workload on church staff. This frees up time for them to focus more on ministry rather than managing finances manually.
- Improved Financial Transparency: Real-time reporting and analytics give church leaders clear insights into giving patterns and financial health. This transparency helps with better decision-making and fosters trust within the congregation.
- Enhanced Security: Church giving apps come with strong security features, ensuring that all transactions are secure and donor information is protected. This builds confidence among donors, knowing their contributions are handled safely.
- Seamless Integration: Many church giving apps integrate easily with existing church management software, simplifying data management and reducing the need for manual data entry. This creates a more efficient workflow and keeps all financial records in one place.
These benefits demonstrate how a church giving app not only makes the donation process easier for congregants but also provides essential tools for churches to manage their operations more effectively. Investing in this technology can lead to a stronger, more organized church community.
Costs & Pricing for Church Giving App
Discerning your church's pricing capacity is super important - whether you're a small church pastor with a limited budget, or a mega-church leader looking for more advanced features.
Below, I’ve outlined the typical plans you'll find as you do your research, along with their average prices and common features. These will help set expectations:
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features | Best For… |
Free | $0 | Basic donation processing, limited reporting, support for online giving | Small churches or church plants |
Basic | $19/month | Online and mobile giving, basic reporting, donor management | Small to medium-sized churches |
Standard | $49/month | Text-to-give, recurring donations, enhanced reporting, secure payments | Medium-sized churches with growing needs |
Premium | $99/month | Multi-platform support, advanced analytics, full ChMS integration | Larger churches requiring comprehensive tools |
Enterprise | Custom Pricing | Customizable features, dedicated support, advanced security, API access | Very large churches or multi-site organizations |
Each plan offers different levels of functionality, so consider your church's size and specific needs when choosing a plan. Smaller churches might find the Free or Basic plan sufficient, while larger churches could benefit from the advanced features in the Premium or Enterprise plans.
Church Giving App Frequently Asked Questions
How do I ensure that our elderly congregants, who may not be tech-savvy, can still give easily using a church giving app?
Most church giving apps offer simple, straightforward interfaces designed with ease of use in mind. Many include options like one-click giving and clear instructions, which can help older congregants navigate the process. Additionally, some apps provide support or tutorials that you can share with your congregation to make the transition smoother.
What options exist for customizing a giving app’s interface to match our church’s branding and messaging?
Church giving apps typically offer customization options that allow you to match the app's look and feel with your church’s branding. This can include adding your church’s logo, selecting specific color schemes, and customizing donation forms. These features help create a consistent experience for your congregation, reinforcing your church’s identity.
Can the app handle special fundraising campaigns or events, and how do we set that up?
Yes, most church giving apps are equipped to manage special fundraising campaigns or events. You can usually set up separate funds or campaigns within the app, track donations specifically for those events, and even create special links or QR codes to share with your congregation. This makes it easy to organize and monitor giving for different causes.
How does the app manage and report on designated giving for specific church projects or funds?
Church giving apps allow donors to designate their contributions to specific funds or projects. The app tracks these donations separately, making it easy to generate reports that show how much has been given to each fund. This feature ensures that all designated gifts are used as intended and helps with transparent financial reporting.
What happens if there’s a technical issue during a service—how quickly can support resolve it to avoid disruptions in giving?
Most church giving apps offer robust customer support, often including live chat, phone support, or even dedicated account managers for immediate assistance. Many also have built-in fail-safes, like offline giving options, to ensure that donations can still be processed even if there’s a technical hiccup. Response times can vary, but reliable apps prioritize quick resolutions to minimize disruptions.
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