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Church management software (ChMS) helps dramatically reduces the hours church leaders spend on administration, scheduling, and communication. Not only does it keeps your leaders, staff, and volunteers on the same page - but it frees up large tracts of time for you and your pastoral staff to invest in prayer, teaching, and discipleship.

I've been part of church leadership teams in 4 churches over the past 20+ years of ministry experience. During my career, I've worked closely with dozens of churches and pastors all over North America and spent hundreds of hours evaluating and using church management tools. I've seen firsthand that when pastoral teams adopt church management software, they spend less time being reactive, more time in prayer, discipleship, and teaching, while having far more control over their time.

I'm convinced that for pastors today, church management software isn’t optional—it’s essential. When your processes and systems are buggy or outdated, your volunteers waste hours, guests get overlooked, and ministry opportunities fall through the cracks. But the right software creates healthier communication, more consistent pastoral care, and smoother ministry operations across the board. That’s why I pulled this list together: to help you find a ChMS that actually supports your mission.

Reasons to Trust My Church Management Software Reviews:

  • I've been testing / reviewing church software since 2019.
  • I'm a pastor who's lived through the consequences of poorly chosen software.
  • I use deep research to help other church leaders make sound purchasing decisions.
  • My team and I have tested 2,000+ tools for different church needs.
  • My team and I have written 1,000+ comprehensive software reviews.
  • I'm committed to transparency.
  • I use a rigorous church management software review methodology .

The 10 Best Church Management Software Summary

The 20 Best Church Management Software Reviews

In this post, we’ve tried to cover a broad spectrum of software, considering the complexity, price points, and functionality.

Best for all-in-one church management

  • Free plan available
  • From $12/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.9/5

ChMeetings is a church management platform built for pastors and ministry leaders who want to organize member data, events, communication, and giving in one place, making it easier to coordinate church activities and engage their congregation.

Who Is ChMeetings Best For?

ChMeetings is a strong fit for small to mid-sized churches that need a single platform to manage members, events, and giving without juggling multiple tools.

Why I Picked ChMeetings

ChMeetings earns its spot as one of the best on my shortlist because it genuinely covers every core area of church administration in a single platform. I like that member profiles, giving records, event management, worship planning, and built-in accounting all live in one place—so my team isn't toggling between separate tools to get a complete picture of what's happening in the church. The worship planning feature is a good example of this depth: I can build out a full service order, manage songs, and assign team members all within the same system I use to track attendance and send communications. The built-in accounting module is another area where ChMeetings goes further than most, letting me track expenses, monitor funds, and generate reports without needing a separate finance tool.

ChMeetings Key Features

  • Volunteer scheduling: Assign volunteers to specific roles, set reminders, and manage availability across services and events.
  • Member portal: Give members a self-service space to update their own contact details, register for events, and give online.
  • Attendance follow-up tools: Automatically flag members who have missed multiple services so leaders can reach out before someone quietly disengages.
  • Custom forms: Build forms for event sign-ups, surveys, or feedback directly within the platform without needing a third-party tool.

ChMeetings Integrations

Integrations include Stripe, PayPal, Mailchimp, Twilio, and an API is available for custom integrations.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Multilingual support
  • Supports secure donation tracking and online payments
  • Very affordable, tiered pricing based on church size

Cons:

  • Could offer more advanced financial management features
  • Mobile app could use some improvements

New Product Updates from ChMeetings

ChMeetings Adds Scheduling, Contribution, & API Enhancements
ChMeetings absentee tracking shows unattended events directly in member profiles.
March 8 2026
ChMeetings Adds Scheduling, Contribution, & API Enhancements

ChMeetings introduces team-based volunteer scheduling, improved contribution management, expanded communication tools, and enhanced API functionality. These updates help churches manage volunteers, finances, and member data more efficiently. For more information, visit ChMeetings’ official site.

Best for managing church donations and events

  • Free plan available
  • From $19/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.9/5

Gracely is a church management platform designed for faith communities that want to simplify donation tracking, event planning, and member engagement in one place.

Who Is Gracely Best For?

Gracely is a good fit for small to mid-sized churches that need a straightforward way to manage giving and organize ministry events without a steep learning curve.

Why I Picked Gracely

Gracely earns its spot on my shortlist because of how well it handles the two things most churches struggle to keep organized: donations and events. I like that the donation tools let you track one-time and recurring gifts, generate giving statements, and monitor campaign progress without needing a separate accounting tool. On the events side, I've found the registration and ticketing features genuinely useful for managing everything from Sunday services to fundraising dinners. By combining both in one platform, Gracely helps churches avoid juggling multiple tools.

Gracely Key Features

  • Member profiles: Store personal details, contact information, family connections, and giving history for each congregation member in a centralized directory.
  • Child check-in: Log and track child attendance with a secure check-in system, including exportable attendance history for safety follow-up.
  • Customizable forms: Build forms for registrations, surveys, and sign-ups to replace paper-based processes and capture member information digitally.
  • Church accounting: Track income and expenses across multiple accounts, categorize transactions with custom labels, and apply tax tags for financial reporting.

Gracely Integrations

No native integrations are listed.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Effective features for connecting members
  • User-friendly interface
  • A free plan is available

Cons:

  • Limited integrations available
  • Limited language support

New Product Updates from Gracely

Gracely Adds PayPal Integration and Accounting Subcategories
Gracely adds PayPal integration for flexible and seamless online giving.
April 5 2026
Gracely Adds PayPal Integration and Accounting Subcategories

Gracely introduces PayPal integration for online giving and adds accounting subcategories. These updates provide more flexibility in donations and improve financial tracking and reporting. For more information, visit Gracely’s official site.

Best for centralizing church functions

  • Not available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

ChurchTrac is a church management platform built for pastors and ministry leaders who want to handle membership, giving, events, and communication in one place, making it easier to coordinate church operations and engage their congregations.

Who Is ChurchTrac Best For?

ChurchTrac is a good fit for small to mid-sized churches looking for an affordable, all-in-one platform to manage their day-to-day ministry operations.

Why I Picked ChurchTrac

ChurchTrac earns its spot on my shortlist because it genuinely replaces a stack of separate tools with one connected platform. I like that member management, giving, worship planning, check-in, and accounting all live in the same place—so my team isn't toggling between apps to get a full picture of what's happening in the church. The Church Connect feature is a good example of this: it gives members a single portal for updating their profiles, registering for events, and giving online. I also appreciate that the built-in accounting module handles fund accounting and bank syncing without needing a third-party tool like QuickBooks.

ChurchTrac Key Features

  • Attendance tracking: Log attendance for services and groups, with historical records and reporting built in.
  • Group management: Organize members into small groups, ministries, or classes and track participation and communication.
  • Email and SMS messaging: Send targeted messages to specific groups, individuals, or the full congregation directly from the platform.
  • Worship planning: Build service orders, assign songs, and coordinate with your worship team from a dedicated planning tool.

ChurchTrac Integrations

Integrations include Stripe, Apple Pay, and Google Analytics.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Combines various features into one platform
  • Offers a website, app, and member portal
  • Effective management of online and in-person donations

Cons:

  • Doesn't include a payroll feature
  • Some reporting features are somewhat limited

New Product Updates from ChurchTrac

ChurchTrac Adds Accounting Enhancements to Simplify Bookkeeping
ChurchTrac lets churches record assets and liabilities using new Untracked accounts.
December 7 2025
ChurchTrac Adds Accounting Enhancements to Simplify Bookkeeping

ChurchTrac introduces streamlined fund-to-fund transfers, simplified account-to-account transfers, and a new Untracked account type for recording assets and liabilities. These updates reduce bookkeeping complexity while giving churches better visibility into their financial records. For more information, visit ChurchTrac's official site.

Best for automated church communication

  • 30-day free trial available
  • From $37/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

Text In Church helps pastors and church leaders connect with members and guests through automated messaging, and helps manage follow-ups, reminders, and group communication within your congregation.

Who Is Text In Church Best For?

Text In Church is a great fit for small to mid-sized churches that want a dedicated tool for staying in touch with first-time guests and regular attendees through text and email.

Why I Picked Text In Church

I picked Text In Church as one of the best because its automated workflows handle follow-up that many churches struggle to maintain. When a first-time guest fills out a digital connect card, the platform automatically triggers a personalized text sequence over the following weeks—no manual reminders needed. I also like the unlimited keywords feature, which lets you set up text-in prompts for RSVPs, prayer requests, or volunteer sign-ups, so people can respond on their own time. The staff notification system alerts your team when a new guest connects, so the right person follows up at the right moment.

Text In Church Key Features

  • Two-way texting: Send and receive individual text conversations with members directly within the platform.
  • Group messaging: Segment your congregation into groups and send targeted texts or emails to specific audiences.
  • Scheduled messaging: Plan and schedule texts or emails in advance for upcoming events, services, or announcements.
  • Giving links in messages: Include direct giving links inside text or email messages so members can donate.

Text In Church Integrations

Integrations include Planning Center, Church Community Builder, Mailchimp, Rock RMS, and Zapier.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Integrations support cross-platform data synchronization
  • Automated workflows streamline follow-up processes
  • Two-way messaging enables real-time engagement

Cons:

  • Requires internet for full functionality
  • Limited customization for automated messages

Best for growing congregations

  • 30-day free trial available
  • From $58/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

One Church Software is a cloud-based church management platform built for churches and ministries that want to simplify member engagement, event planning, giving, and volunteer coordination in one unified system.

Who Is One Church Software Best For?

One Church Software is a strong fit for growing congregations that need scalable tools to manage increasing membership, giving, and ministry activity without outgrowing their platform.

Why I Picked One Church Software

One Church Software earns its spot on my shortlist because it's built to scale alongside a congregation as it grows. I particularly like the multi-campus support, which lets you organize members, teams, and reporting by location without losing visibility across the whole church. The automation tools are also a real asset here—I use them to trigger follow-up emails and SMS messages based on form submissions or attendance patterns, so no new visitor or lapsed member slips through the cracks. Add in the prebuilt lapse donor and lapse attendance reports, and you've got a system that actively helps you stay connected as your congregation expands.

One Church Software Key Features

  • Online giving: Accept one-time and recurring donations through customizable giving pages with text-to-give and kiosk options.
  • Child check-in: Manage secure check-in and check-out for children's ministry with label printing and allergy or medical notes.
  • Group management: Organize members into small groups, classes, or ministry teams with built-in communication and attendance tracking.
  • Event registration: Create and manage event sign-ups with custom forms, capacity limits, and automated confirmation emails.

One Church Software Integrations

Native integrations are not currently listed.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Mobile app available
  • Integrates all church management functions in one
  • Convenient event management

Cons:

  • Can get pricey with more profile users and feature add-ons
  • Lack of integrations

New Product Updates from One Church Software

One Church Software Launches Version 7.0
One Church Software Version 7.0 brings a cleaner dashboard experience.
October 26 2025
One Church Software Launches Version 7.0

One Church Software has released Version 7.0, introducing a faster, more intuitive interface and enhanced modules for dashboards, service planning, and giving management. For more information, visit One Church Software's official site.

Best with instant QR code bookings

  • Free plan available
  • From $22/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

Whatspot is a booking platform designed for organizations like churches that need a simple way to manage room and facility reservations, helping leaders coordinate space usage and avoid scheduling conflicts.

Who Is Whatspot Best For?

Whatspot is a good fit for small to mid-sized churches that need a straightforward way to manage shared spaces, meeting rooms, and facility bookings across staff and volunteers.

Why I Picked Whatspot

Whatspot earns its spot on my shortlist because of how it handles on-the-spot room bookings with QR codes. I like that you can print a QR code, stick it on a door, and anyone with a phone can scan it to check availability and confirm a booking in two taps—no app login required. For churches juggling multiple rooms across a busy Sunday or midweek schedule, that kind of instant access is genuinely useful. I also appreciate the check-in feature, which automatically releases a room if the booking isn't confirmed, so unused spaces don't stay locked up when another group needs them.

Whatspot Key Features

  • Booking rules and limits: Set custom rules that define when a space can be booked, how often, and by whom to manage fair access across your congregation.
  • Visitor booking access: Allow guests to book a space without signing up, while keeping certain rooms restricted to registered staff or members only.
  • Interactive floor plan view: See real-time desk and room availability across your facility using a visual floor plan layout.
  • Admin approval controls: Review, approve, or reject booking requests from a central dashboard to keep facility use organized.

Whatspot Integrations

Integrations include Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and Google Calendar.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Supports recurring weekly events
  • Supports recurring weekly events
  • Supports recurring weekly events
  • Visual floorplan mapping
  • Highly user-friendly interface

Cons:

  • Requires internet for QR scans
  • Requires internet for QR scans
  • Requires internet for QR scans
  • Lacks built-in donor management

Best for ease of use

  • 30-day free trial available
  • From $72/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

Breeze ChMS is a church management platform built for small to mid-sized churches that want to simplify member tracking, event planning, giving, and communication in one place.

Who Is Breeze ChMS Best For?

Breeze ChMS is a strong fit for small to mid-sized churches that need an approachable, no-fuss system their staff and volunteers can learn with minimal training.

Why I Picked Breeze ChMS

Breeze ChMS earns its spot on my shortlist because it requires little setup and is straightforward to deploy. I love the customizable tags and groups feature—you can segment your congregation by small group, volunteer role, or ministry team in minutes, then message those groups directly without jumping between tools. The kids' check-in system is another highlight: it prints parent and child name tags, assigns unique security codes, and tracks attendance without requiring any technical setup. For churches where staff and volunteers aren't particularly tech-savvy, that kind of out-of-the-box simplicity is hard to come by.

Breeze ChMS Key Features

  • Online giving: Congregants can give via credit card, debit card, or ACH directly through your church's giving page, with contributions automatically logged to donor profiles.
  • Event registration: Create events with custom registration forms, set capacity limits, and track sign-ups from within the same platform you use to manage members.
  • Contribution statements: Generate and email year-end giving statements to donors in bulk, pulling directly from recorded contribution data.
  • Volunteer scheduling: Assign volunteers to specific roles and service times, then send automated reminders to confirm availability.

Breeze ChMS Integrations

Integrations include Tithely Giving, Tithely People, Tithely Messaging, Tithely Church Apps, Tithely Events, Tithely Sites, Sermonly Sermon Writer, Tithely Print, Accept Bitcoin and Crypto through Engiven, and a public API for custom integrations.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Responsive customer support
  • Easy data transfer from other systems

Cons:

  • Some features are quite basic

Best for member information tracking

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $37/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

Churchteams is a church management platform built for pastors and ministry leaders who want to organize member data, streamline communication, and coordinate groups and events in one place.

Who Is Churchteams Best For?

Churchteams is a strong fit for small to mid-sized churches that need a dedicated system for tracking congregation members, managing groups, and staying connected with their community.

Why I Picked Churchteams

Churchteams earns its spot as one of the best on my shortlist because of how thoroughly it handles member information tracking. I like that member fields are fully customizable, so my team can capture exactly the data that matters to our ministry—whether that's spiritual gifts, background check status, or discipleship milestones. Connection card responses and pastoral conversations can be logged directly to individual member records, and follow-up tasks can be assigned with automatic email and text reminders if they go unfinished. The ability to let members update their own information with a single click from an email also keeps the database current without putting all the work on staff.

Churchteams Key Features

  • Child check-in security tags: Print name tags or send parents a unique security code via text that matches the code on their child's tag at check-in.
  • Automated communication workflows: Set up triggered email and text sequences for scenarios like guest follow-up, volunteer training, and event reminders.
  • Text-to-Church keyword texting: Let members access giving, event registration, and volunteer schedules by texting a keyword—no app or login needed.
  • Attendance tracking and reporting: View real-time check-in data, run attendance summary reports, and receive scheduled alerts for member absences.

Churchteams Integrations

Native integrations are not currently listed.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive church management features, including donation tracking, team building, and event management.
  • User-friendly interface suitable for varying tech skills, minimizing the learning curve.
  • Excellent 24/7 customer support, providing guidance and solutions to improve the user experience.

Cons:

  • Lacks an online calendar feature, which can limit scheduling capabilities.
  • Only online training available, with no options for in-person training.

Best for recurring donations

  • 30-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $72/month
Visit Website
Rating: 3/5

Tithely is a church management platform for faith communities, offering tools to simplify giving, manage members, organize events, and communicate with their congregation from a single dashboard.

Who Is Tithely Best For?

Tithely is a strong fit for small to mid-sized churches that need an all-in-one platform to manage both their congregation and their giving programs.

Why I Picked Tithely

Tithely earns its spot on my shortlist because of how well it handles recurring giving. I like that donors can set up, pause, or update their recurring gifts entirely on their own—without needing to contact your admin team. That kind of donor-controlled flexibility keeps giving consistent without adding work for your staff. I also use the pledge campaign tools to set giving goals and track progress in real time, which makes stewardship conversations with your congregation much more concrete and data-driven.

Tithely Key Features

  • Kids check-in: Print parent and child name tags, track attendance, and assign unique security codes for each child during services and events.
  • Workflow automation: Set up automated tasks like birthday emails, group assignments, and follow-up messages to reduce manual admin work.
  • Customizable tags: Organize members into groups—such as volunteers, small groups, or event attendees—to target communication and track engagement.
  • Service planning: Coordinate weekend worship services, including a song library and SongSelect® integration, through a built-in planning tool.

Tithely Integrations

Integrations include SongSelect, MinistrySafe, and the Tithely Worship App.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Mobile-first giving tools
  • Easy tracking of donor history
  • Text-to-give functionality

Cons:

  • No free tier available
  • Limited non-donation features

Best for connecting the church community

  • Free trial available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.1/5

Realm is a cloud-based church management platform built for churches and ministries that want to organize member data, manage giving, coordinate events, and strengthen engagement across their congregation.

Who Is Realm Best For?

Realm suits small to mid-sized churches looking for an all-in-one platform to manage members, giving, and ministry operations.

Why I Picked Realm

Realm earned a spot on my shortlist because it's built around community connection. I love the Connected Groups feature—congregation members can search for and join small groups on their own, post messages to group walls, and check meeting schedules without staff having to manage every interaction. I also like that group leaders get their own set of tools to manage rosters, track attendance, and share resources, which takes real pressure off church staff. Realm's targeted communication lets leaders message a specific group rather than the whole congregation, so a small group leader can notify only their members via email, in-app alert, or text.

Realm Key Features

  • Online giving: Congregation members can make one-time or recurring donations directly through Realm's giving portal or mobile app.
  • Contribution statements: Automatically generate and distribute year-end giving statements to members for tax reporting purposes.
  • Event registration: Create events, set capacity limits, and collect registrations and payments from members in one place.
  • Volunteer management: Schedule volunteers for specific roles and services, and track their participation history over time.

Realm Integrations

Integrations include Constant Contact, Givelify, Vanco, QuickBooks, ShelbyNext, MinistrySafe, Protect My Ministry, and an API for custom integrations.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Event registration and payment processing features
  • Connectivity and communication features
  • Integrated solution for church management

Cons:

  • Potential learning curve for new users
  • User interface could be improved

Best for remote congregation engagement

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 3.6/5

Subsplash gives churches a unified platform to manage digital giving, media, events, and communication, helping ministry teams connect with their congregations through custom apps, websites, and integrated engagement tools.

Who Is Subsplash Best For?

Subsplash is a strong fit for churches of any size that want to build a consistent digital presence and keep both in-person and remote members engaged through mobile apps, streaming, and online giving.

Why I Picked Subsplash

Subsplash earns its spot on my shortlist because it's purpose-built for churches that need to reach members beyond the Sunday morning crowd. I particularly like the custom-branded mobile app, which lets congregations stream sermons, access sermon archives, and receive push notifications—all in one place their members already check daily. I also use the integrated online giving tools, which make it easy for remote members to tithe without ever setting foot in the building. For churches with hybrid or distributed congregations, that combination of media delivery and giving in a single app is genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere.

Subsplash Key Features

  • Event registration: Members can register for church events directly through the app or website, with all registrations managed from a single dashboard.
  • Child check-in: A built-in check-in tool lets staff and volunteers track children's attendance and manage safety workflows during services.
  • People profiles: Store and manage individual member records, including contact details and engagement history, within the church management dashboard.
  • Volunteer management: Assign, schedule, and track volunteers across ministries from within the same platform used for giving and media.

Subsplash Integrations

Native integrations are not currently listed.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Great mobile app functionality
  • User-friendly interface with modern UI
  • Offers "all-in-one" coverage of all basic church needs

Cons:

  • Limited integrations with other systems

Best for managing people and payments

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 3.5/5

Blackbaud is a church management platform for faith-based organizations that need to handle member engagement, donations, events, and communications all in one place.

Who Is Blackbaud Best For?

Blackbaud is a strong fit for mid-to-large churches and faith-based nonprofits that need a dedicated platform for donor management, giving, and constituent relationships.

Why I Picked Blackbaud

Blackbaud earns its spot as one of the best on my shortlist because of how tightly it connects constituent management with giving tools in a single system. I like that Raiser's Edge NXT lets you track every donor interaction—from pledge history to personal communications—so your team always has a full picture of each member's relationship with your church. On the payments side, I'm a fan of Blackbaud Donation Forms, which support digital wallets like PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, and include a Complete Cover option that eliminates transaction fees so 100% of each gift goes to your ministry. The recurring gift upsell feature automatically prompts one-time givers to become monthly donors, which is a real advantage for churches building a sustainable giving base.

Blackbaud Key Features

  • Event management: Track event registrations, collect payments, and capture custom participant information directly within the platform.
  • Fund accounting: Manage restricted funds, grants, and endowments with subfund tracking and built-in nonprofit compliance reporting through Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT.
  • AI-powered prospect research: Automatically screen your constituent database to surface major gift prospects based on giving capacity and propensity.
  • Recurring giving and pledge management: Set up and track recurring gifts and pledges to support predictable cash flow for your ministry.

Blackbaud Integrations

Integrations include Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, JustGiving, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Financial Edge NXT, TeamRaiser, Luminate Online, and PaperSave.

Best for church finances

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $50/month/account
Visit Website
Rating: 3.5/5

Elvanto is a cloud-based church management platform built for churches and ministries that want to centralize member data, coordinate volunteers, manage events, and handle giving and reporting from one place.

Who Is Elvanto Best For?

Elvanto is a good fit for small to mid-sized churches that need an all-in-one platform to manage their congregation, operations, and finances without juggling multiple tools.

Why I Picked Elvanto

Elvanto earns its spot on my shortlist because of how well it handles church finances in one place. I particularly like the categorized giving feature—you can organize donations into specific funds or categories, so you can see exactly where contributions go without digging through spreadsheets. I also use the built-in giving statements tool, which lets you generate and email tax-deductible receipts to members in seconds. The batch transactions feature lets you group and record collections together, which is a real time-saver after a Sunday service.

Elvanto Key Features

  • People flows: Set up and track step-by-step processes in your church, like onboarding new members, baptism preparation, or children's ministry approvals.
  • Child check-in system: Check adults, youth, children, and volunteers into services across multiple rooms and locations, with parent alert messaging built in.
  • Group management: Organize members into customized groups, assign leaders, set meeting times, and send automated attendance reminders to group leaders.
  • Drag-and-drop email editor: Build and save branded email templates directly in the platform for newsletters, announcements, and targeted group communications.

Elvanto Integrations

Integrations include Tithe.ly, Mailchimp, SongSelect, PayPal, Stripe, Xero, QuickBooks Online, Planning Center, ProPresenter, and an API is available for custom integrations.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Great integration with 3rd party financial partners

Cons:

  • Check-ins don't always work reliably

Best for member database management

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $60/month (max 100 users)

Wild Apricot is a cloud-based platform designed for churches and faith-based organizations that need to manage memberships, events, and communications in one place.

Who Is Wild Apricot Best For?

Wild Apricot is a strong fit for small to mid-sized churches that need a straightforward way to organize members, collect dues, and coordinate events without a dedicated admin team.

Why I Picked Wild Apricot

Wild Apricot earns its spot on my shortlist because of how well its member database handles the kind of layered record-keeping churches actually need. I like that every member profile tracks not just contact details, but also event attendance, payment history, and communication engagement in one place. When I need to identify who hasn't renewed, who attended the last three services, or who's overdue on a giving pledge, I can filter and segment records directly in the database without exporting anything. The self-update feature is also a practical win—members can update their own profiles, which keeps your data current without adding work for your admin staff.

Wild Apricot Key Features

  • Online event registration: Create event listings and build custom registration forms that members can complete and pay for directly online.
  • Automated email communications: Set up automated email confirmations, reminders, and newsletters to keep your congregation informed without manual follow-up.
  • Online payment processing: Accept and track donations, dues, and event fees securely online, with invoices and receipts generated automatically.
  • Member mobile app: Give congregation members a dedicated app to connect with each other, register for events, and update their own profiles from any device.

Wild Apricot Integrations

Integrations include WordPress, Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, QuickBooks, Make, Zapier, Access, FileMaker, and Personify. An API is also available for custom integrations.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Centralized Information: All membership data is accessible in one place, reducing the need for multiple databases.
  • Event Management: Robust features for scheduling and managing events, making planning easier.
  • Automation: Simplifies member lifecycle management, including renewals and engagement.

Cons:

  • Reporting Limitations: Reporting features may not meet all user requirements.
  • Limited Customization: Some users find the customization options insufficient for their needs.

Best for scaling with church growth

  • 30-day free trial available
  • From $15/month

Planning Center is a cloud-based church management platform built for churches of all sizes, helping leaders organize people, plan worship, manage giving, and coordinate events from one place.

Who Is Planning Center Best For?

Planning Center is a great fit for churches at any stage of growth that need modular tools they can expand as their congregation and ministry complexity increases.

Why I Picked Planning Center

Planning Center earns its spot on my shortlist because its modular product structure is built for growth. I love that you can start with just People—the free central database—and layer in products like Registrations, Groups, or Giving as your ministry expands. That lets a church plant avoid paying for tools it doesn't need while keeping the infrastructure in place as the congregation grows. The monthly scheduling feature stands out for larger teams: you can send schedule requests months in advance and set automatic reminders, which reduces pressure on staff who manage dozens of volunteers across multiple services.

Planning Center Key Features

  • Check-ins: Track attendance for services, events, and children's ministry with a self-check-in kiosk or volunteer-managed station.
  • Online giving: Accept one-time and recurring donations through a customizable giving page with donor management tools built in.
  • Service planning: Build detailed run-of-show plans for worship services, assign songs, and share notes with your team before Sunday.
  • Forms: Create custom forms for event sign-ups, volunteer applications, or data collection and connect responses directly to people profiles.

Planning Center Integrations

Integrations include BoxCast, Checkr, Mailchimp, PraiseCharts, RehearsalMix, SongSelect, Clearstream, MinistrySafe, Protect My Ministry, and ProPresenter.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Known for its ease of use and user-friendly interface.
  • Offers a wide range of features for managing different aspects of church life.
  • Designed specifically for churches, making it highly relevant for church operations.

Cons:

  • May require additional training for full utilization.
  • Not all features are included in the base price.

Best for online administrative management

  • 30-day free trial
  • Pricing available upon request

Fellowship One is a church management software designed to help churches manage their operations more effectively. It provides a range of tools that cater to various church needs, from worship planning to member engagement.

Why I Picked

I picked Fellowship One because it offers features like online giving and accounting tools, which are crucial for managing church finances. These tools allow your church to handle donations and contributions smoothly, making financial management less of a headache. Additionally, the software's worship planning capabilities ensure that your team can organize services with ease, improving the overall experience for your congregation.

Another reason Fellowship One stands out is its focus on communication and engagement through mobile apps. These apps help you stay connected with your members, offering a convenient way for them to participate in church activities. With mobile optimization, your congregation can access important information and stay engaged, whether they're attending services in person or remotely. This feature is particularly beneficial for maintaining strong community ties.

Standout Features

Features include church management, which aids in organizing and tracking member information, making it easier for you to keep up with your congregation. The software also offers background checks, ensuring the safety and security of your church environment. Additionally, Fellowship One provides website design services, enabling you to create an online presence that reflects your church's mission and values.

Integrations

Integrations include BombBomb, Brushfire, Kindrid, and Planning Center.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Responsive tech support: Users value the knowledgeable and responsive technical support.
  • Comprehensive church management: Recognized as a strong tool for church management needs.
  • User-friendly interface: Users appreciate the ease of navigation and readability of the interface.

Cons:

  • Cost concerns: Some users feel the software is priced on the higher side.
  • Occasional technical issues: Users report occasional bugs and technical glitches.

Best mobile app experience

  • Free trial available
  • From $39.60/user/month

TouchPoint is a substantial cloud-based church management software solution that equips church leaders and administrators of mid-sized churches to large churches looking for an off-the-shelf ChMS which is also highly customizable.

TouchPoint has a marketing feature for staying in touch with donors. Plus, Touchpoint’s customizable mobile app can help you manage your church better. It has a self-check-in feature so members can register their attendance during their events.

Church leaders can use the mobile app to create sermon notes to guide them during worship services. Touchpoint’s mobile app has an accounting feature that lets church members review their giving history and statements.

Why I Picked TouchPoint: A fully-integrated mobile app helps you share sermons, Bible verses, song lyrics, and other media directly to your congregations' smartphones.

TouchPoint Standout Features & Integrations

Features include membership management, volunteer management, child check-in, discipleship groups, ministry engagement, tithes, and event management.

Integrations include OnlineGiving, Twilio, and Sage.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Best-in-class mobile app
  • Responsive tech support

Cons:

  • Slow to implement updates
  • Initial setup has a steep learning curve

Best for people management

  • 30-day free trial upon request
  • $35.13/account/month

Elexio is a Church Management Software (ChMS) that helps streamline church operations and enhance community engagement. It's designed to empower church staff, volunteers, and attendees by offering a suite of tools tailored for efficient management and communication.

Why I Picked

I picked Elexio because of its strong focus on people management and communication within the church. With features like people management, you can easily keep track of member profiles and attendance, which is crucial for maintaining a connected congregation. It also offers group management, allowing you to organize small groups and manage their interactions effectively. These features support the core functions of any church, helping you focus more on ministry and less on logistics.

Additionally, Elexio's reporting and check-in systems make it a valuable tool for church administrators. The reporting feature provides detailed insights into various aspects of church operations, which can help you make informed decisions. Meanwhile, the check-in system ensures that families are safely accounted for during events, enhancing the overall experience for both staff and attendees.

Standout Features

Features include dashboards that offer a visual overview of key metrics, making it easier for you to monitor church activities. Another feature is the workflows, which automate routine tasks and free up your time for more important matters. Lastly, the mobile management capability ensures you can access and manage church operations on the go, keeping you connected no matter where you are.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Ease of Use: Many users find the interface intuitive, which simplifies the process of managing church operations.
  • Comprehensive Features: Elexio offers a wide range of features that cater to various church management needs, such as member tracking and event management.
  • Customer Support: Users have consistently praised Elexio for its responsive and helpful customer support, which is crucial for addressing issues quickly.

Cons:

  • Occasional Bugs: Users have experienced occasional software bugs, which can disrupt workflows.
  • Limited Integrations: There have been mentions of limited third-party integrations, which can be a drawback for churches relying on multiple systems.

Best for detailed membership records

  • Free demo available
  • From $47/month

PowerChurch is a church management software that helps you handle the administrative and operational tasks of your church. It combines various functions like membership management, contributions, and accounting into one complete package, making it easier for you to manage your church's needs.

Why I Picked

I picked PowerChurch because it offers comprehensive membership management. You can keep detailed records of families and individuals, all from a single screen. This feature is great for ensuring that you always have up-to-date information and can quickly access what you need without navigating through multiple menus.

Another reason I chose PowerChurch is its contributions management. It allows you to track donations and manage your church's financials with ease. This feature is essential for maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring that your church's finances are in order.

Standout Features

Features include event scheduling, which helps you plan and coordinate church activities smoothly. The software also provides communication tools, allowing you to keep in touch with your members through phone, e-mail, or postal service. Additionally, PowerChurch offers robust accounting features designed specifically for churches and non-profits, helping you manage payroll, track budget comparisons, and handle accounts payable.

Integrations

Integrations include Dynamic Systems, Avery, Vanco, SimpleTexting, Protect My Ministry, PowerChurch E-File, Constant Contact, and Clockify.me.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Strong accounting features that simplify financial management.
  • Effective member management tools for tracking congregation.
  • Customizable reports for informed decision-making.

Cons:

  • Support options are limited to business hours, which may not suit all users.
  • Event management may be cumbersome compared to specialized software.

Best for on-site local network installation

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

Excellerate Church Management Software is a comprehensive and flexible solution that is highly adaptable to your church needs, including membership management, visitor follow-up, small groups, fundraising, child check-In, volunteer scheduling, and more.

Excellerate church management software features like member tracking and attendance tracking can help you monitor the growth of your church and implement plans to sustain the said growth. You can use it to generate church directories to help you connect with members. You can also use it to monitor a pledge, donation, or contribution for record keeping and accounting purposes.

Why I Picked Excellerate Church Management Software: With the help of Excellerate, you can send follow-ups so you can schedule visits or invite prospects to church events. Excellerate also lets you gauge your success in converting new members so you can improve your methods and attract new members.

Excellerate Standout Features & Integrations

Features include membership management, visitor tracking and follow-up, tithes and offerings, small groups, class sign-ups and attendance, email/text messaging, reporting, and volunteer scheduling.

Integration with your church website is offered.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Scalable cost based on church size
  • No monthly subscription for on-site installations
  • Choice between cloud-based or on-site installation

Cons:

  • Some knowledge of SQL is helpful.
  • Accessing technical support costs extra

Other Church Management Software

Do none of the above work for you? Check out the list below for additional church management software tools:

  1. MinistryPlatform

    For large churches

  2. SteepleMate

    For organizing member information

  3. Communicate

    For drag-and-drop scheduling

  4. Raklet

    For building your own branded app

  5. FaithLife

    Church website builder

  6. ParishSOFT

    For Catholic parishes

  7. ShelbySystems

    Denominational headquarters solution

  8. ACS Realm

    For small churches

  9. CDM+

    Charity/NGO fundraising app

  10. SeekerWorks

    New guest onboarding

  11. Church Windows

    Shared calendar & event scheduling

  12. Kyrios ChMs

    Church reporting dashboard

  13. CCIS

    Technical support & training

  14. CFS Live

    Feature-based subscription model

These are also thoroughly tested, vetted, lead pastor-approved:

Selection Criteria for Church Management Software

To do this well:

  1. Know the software features you need.
  2. Define your church's unique needs.

Unless you do THAT well, you will NOT be well-positioned to find the tool uniquely suited to:

  • Your current church needs
  • Support your church growth
  • Increase your member engagement

To surface the BEST results, we look at SEVEN areas:

Core Church Management Features (25% of total weighting score)

Our non-negotiable features:

  • Member directory
  • Donation management
  • Event scheduling
  • Volunteer management
  • Financial reporting
  • Communication tools
  • Check-in systems
  • Mobile access
  • Worship planning
  • Integration with other tools

The software should:

  • Manage a member database
  • Streamline donations and finances
  • Coordinate events and volunteers
  • Enhance church communication
  • Offer secure check-ins for children

Standout Features (25% of total weighting score)

This year's best-of-the-best tool will offer THESE above-and-beyond solutions:

  • AI-powered insights for donor engagement
  • Advanced metrics and analysis on member involvement
  • Tools that make it easier for staff and volunteers to work together
  • Supplementary dedicated apps
  • The ability to create custom reports, dashboards, and comms for your church.

Usability (10% of total weighting score)

If THESE elements aren't present, your people will struggle to adapt to it:

  • Intuitive interfaces
  • Drag-and-drop calendar scheduling
  • Clear, simple workflows for critical tasks (like financial reconciliation or event planning)

Onboarding (10% of total weighting score)

Each tool needs to make it EASY for even your elderly volunteers to learn and begin using. We look for:

  • Training videos or setup guides
  • Templates for importing pre-existing information (member records, etc)
  • Easy to follow product tour
  • Onboarding/training support

Customer Support (10% of total weighting score)

This is obvious. Unless these things are present, we don't want to recommend a too:

  • Live chat, email, or phone support
  • Quick response times
  • Community forums, FAQs, and webinars

Value for Money (10% of total weighting score)

Stewardship is key. An expensive tool that underperforms is a poor use of your congregations hard-earned, freely given money.

We look for:

  • Fair pricing for features
  • No hidden fees
  • Good short-term AND long-term value

Customer Reviews (10% of total weighting score)

We look deeper than the software vendor's marketing, too. We comb through customer reviews, looking for customer mentions of the following:

  • Ease of use
  • Effective customer support
  • Proof the tool reduced admin

Since 2019, we've seen that this evaluation metric is effect, and consistently bubbles up reliable, useful, worthy tools.

How To Choose Church Management Software.

1. Consider Scalability.

The best tools are designed to grow WITH your church.

Sure, you only need something small now - but pick a software that can expand as your church grows. Otherwise... you're just going to have to do this all over again 3-5 years down the road... when the costs (and stakes) will be higher.

2. Prioritize User-Friendliness.

Your team’s tech skills will vary, so choose software that’s easy to use for everyone:

  • Training: tutorials and webinars are massive.
  • Simple Interface: Accessible for all staff and volunteers.
  • Cloud-Based Access: Allows work from anywhere.

3. Look for Integration.

The POINT of a ChMS is to simplify and streamline your church management. It should lower the number of software tools you need to futz with. For example:

  • It should allow you to move information between itself and your accounting software.
  • It should talk seamlessly to your email service or social media channels
  • It should interface directly with your church's giving software (so you can tie specific donations to specific members)

When this is happening, you spend WAY less time jumping between tools.

4. Choose Flexibility

Your church has unique needs, so make sure the ChMS you consider can adapt to those. The two major areas that will support flexibility are:

  • The ability to customize the types of information you store. Tailor member data to your church’s needs.
  • The ability to customize the types of reports you pull. Generate reports that matter to your ministry, and directly support your vision and mission.

5. Don't Skimp on Customer Support and Training

If your church doesn't have dedicated IT - this is especially crucial. Make sure the ChMS tool you choose offers the following:

  • Comprehensive Training: Tutorials, webinars, and user forums.
  • Accessible Support: Phone, email, and live chat options available.
  • Automated Task Management: Helps manage growth efficiently.
  • Expandable Storage: Ensures you never run out of space.

I love being on the forefront of church tech - so I regularly review the most recent releases, reviews, and software updates from the top church software movers and shakers.

Here's what's cutting edge today:

  • ChMS + Social Media + Streaming Platforms:
    Many tools now connect with social media and live streaming services (to help spread their reach to online members).
  • Shifting Focus to Mobile & App Development
    The best tools offer dedicated apps, and work GREAT on phones. Helpful for obvious reasons.
  • Advanced Analytics / Reporting
    With more folks using phones and apps, forests of data are being collected. That data contains insights that can be insanely useful in decision-making. Don't get creepy on your members, though.

Futuristic / Bleeding-Edge Stuff:

  • AI-Fueled Communications
    Harness the power of LLMs to personalize member communication and even donor-specific engagement. NOTE: this isn't for everyone. Some folks prickle at the mere mention of AI. Be careful about how you implement this stuff.
  • Virtual Reality (VR) Services
    A few advanced platforms are testing VR technology for immersive remote attendance experiences. It's a wild world.

On the Way Out...

  • Say goodby to support for printing directories & physical mail
    Most churches have shifted away from resource intensive mailings and directories... and I'm seeing ChMS vendors are pulling that support more and more
  • On-site tools are fading...
    You don't have to be in the office to log into your ChMS anymore. Cloud-based software is the default standard now. It's easier to access, simpler to update, and requires less IT support.

What is Church Management Software?

Church Management Software (ChMS) is a tool that makes the day-to-day operations of your church simpler, easier, and cheaper. With the right ChMS in hand, managing your church will require a lot less hassle. It allows you to:

  • keep church member information up-to-date
  • streamline communication with your staff, volunteers, and members
  • automate donation & financial tracking

I can't imagine pastoring at my church without it (well, I can - but it's terrible).

Features of Church Management Software

When selecting church management software, keep an eye out for the following key features:

  • Member database management: Store and organize member profiles, including contact details, family relationships, and participation records. This feature helps you quickly find anyone in your congregation and stay connected to their life events.
  • Attendance tracking: Monitor who’s coming to services, classes, or events. You can see attendance patterns over time, which helps you spot trends and encourage more engagement.
  • Donation and giving management: Record, track, and report on donations. This lets you easily send tax statements, thank donors, and keep your church finances organized—all without drowning in paperwork.
  • Event and calendar planning: Schedule church events, automate reminders, and avoid double-bookings. You can run everything from weekly services to big fundraisers without missing a beat.
  • Communication tools: Email, text, or message your congregation right from the platform. Keeping everyone informed about news, schedule changes, or volunteer opportunities is a breeze.
  • Volunteer management: Recruit, schedule, and coordinate volunteers for activities and events. No more last-minute panics for Sunday school coverage or help in the food pantry.
  • Reporting and analytics: Generate reports on attendance, giving, and member engagement. These insights give you a clear picture of your church’s health and help you make better decisions.
  • Child check-in and security: Provide safe, streamlined check-in for children’s ministries. Parents can relax knowing kids are accounted for and only authorized adults can pick them up.

Benefits Your ChMS Should Provide

Church management software is a must-have in today’s digital world. It helps churches run more efficiently, freeing up resources like time, money, and volunteers for community engagement and outreach.

1. You'll spend less time in admin.

The software automates routine tasks like member tracking, scheduling, and reporting. This saves time and effort, allowing church staff to focus more on ministry.

2. Communication will get simpler.

It improves communication with members through mass emails, text messaging, and social media integration. This ensures important information and updates reach everyone quickly and efficiently.

3. Financial management will improve.

The software tracks donations, manages budgets, and generates financial reports. This provides a clear view of your church’s finances, helping make informed decisions and promoting accountability.

4. Members will be more engaged.

Features like event registration, volunteer sign-ups, and group management boost member involvement. It makes it easy for members to find and join activities that interest them.

5. More clarity in decision making.

Collecting and analyzing data on attendance, donations, and engagement helps church leaders make informed decisions. These insights guide planning and outreach efforts, helping grow the church and deepen its impact.

Cost & Pricing for Church Management Software

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon FeaturesBest For...
Free$0Basic member management, limited communication tools, basic reporting.Small churches with tight budgets.
Basic$25/monthMember management, email communication, donation tracking, basic event scheduling.Small to medium churches needing core features.
Standard$60/monthAll Basic features, plus text messaging, advanced reporting, volunteer management.Medium churches needing more tools.
Premium$120/monthAll Standard features, plus mobile app access, custom dashboards, enhanced security features.Larger churches needing advanced features.
Enterprise$250/monthAll Premium features, plus full integration with other software, priority support, unlimited users.Very large churches needing top-tier features.

Church Management Software Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any hidden costs I should watch out for when buying church management software?

Yes, many church management systems advertise a low monthly price, but you should look for extra fees like data migration, support, training, or added features. Always ask about costs for upgrades, adding users, or integrating other tools. Read the contract and ask for a full breakdown before you commit, so you don’t get surprised later.

If our church grows or needs to switch to a different platform, how hard and expensive is it to move our data?

Switching platforms can take time and sometimes costs extra, especially if you need help moving your data. Some vendors offer free migration, while others charge for it. Before you buy, ask how easy it is to export your data and if there’s help available. Planning ahead can save you headaches and money down the road.

How easy is it for volunteers and staff who aren’t tech-savvy to learn the system?

Most modern software is designed to be simple, but some tools are easier than others. Look for systems with clear instructions, video guides, and responsive support. If you have older volunteers or staff, ask for a demo and try it out first. Good training and a user-friendly design make a big difference.

Is it risky to go with a free or very cheap church management solution?

Free or low-cost options can work for small churches, but they may have limits on features, support, or data security. Some free versions don’t offer backups or updates, which could put your church’s information at risk. Weigh the pros and cons, and consider if paying a little more will give you the reliability and help you need.

What ongoing costs should I expect beyond the monthly price?

Besides the monthly fee, you might pay for extra users, advanced features, support, or data storage. Some systems charge for updates, customizations, or integrations with other tools. Ask vendors for a full list of possible charges so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises as your church’s needs change.

Your ChMS Will Help to Lead and Manage Efficiently

The best church management software offers features that boost efficiency and productivity. Successfully implementing church management software means you'll manage your congregation better, track donations, manage members, and communicate with their congregations.

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Joshua Gordon
By Joshua Gordon

Joshua Gordon is a lay-pastor, author, and senior editor of TheLeadPastor.com. Over the last two decades, Josh has worked closely with pastors and other christian leaders, helping them to sharpen and elevate their messages. Today, Joshua pastors at New Life Fellowship, a thriving church he helped plant in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

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