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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 When your processes and systems are buggy or outdated, your volunteers waste hours, guests get overlooked, and ministry opportunities fall through the cracks.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: 4.8/5

ChMeetings is a cloud-based Church Management Software (ChMS) designed to streamline church operations for organizations in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and South Africa. Used by over 7,000 churches across these regions, it offers an all-in-one platform with multilingual support in 22 languages and budget-friendly pricing.

Why I Picked ChMeetings: Over the past few years of interacting with and gathering feedback from hundreds of pastors, I’ve seen simplicity named as a top priority. My readers say ChMeetings nails this—describing the system as “amazing” in how straightforward it is for everyday church tasks.

With robust member and group management tools, ChMeetings enables administrators to maintain congregational records, track attendance, and oversee ministries or small groups. The software also includes secure online donation capabilities, simplifying contribution tracking.

ChMeetings Standout Features & Integrations

Features include user-friendly accounting tools that support budgeting, reporting, and donation tracking. Additionally, every user gets access to a standard mobile app, with an option to upgrade to a branded version for a customized experience. ChMeetings also offers a free plan for up to 50 members.

Integrations include Stripe, Twilio, MailChimp, PayPal, and more if you use their developers' API.

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 Receipt Scanning, Budget Reports, and Group Chat Expansion
The duplicate detection feature in ChMeetings flags transactions with matching dates and amounts.
November 9 2025
ChMeetings Adds Receipt Scanning, Budget Reports, and Group Chat Expansion

ChMeetings introduces new accounting and communication enhancements, including receipt scanning, improved budget comparison reports, and expanded group chat capacity. These updates simplify financial tracking and foster better team collaboration. For more information, visit ChMeetings's official site.

Best for organizing member information

  • Free trial available
  • From $69.99/month

SteepleMate is a church management software designed for churches and religious organizations to manage their operations and enhance community engagement. It provides features such as people and guest management, church directories, prayer networks, online donations, and event management. 

As senior editor for TheLeadpastor.com, I rely on a candid reader community to provide unique insights into the various church software tools. The pastors/church leaders I interact with? They consistently call out SteepleMate’s support as responsive and human. Questions get real answers, not tickets that sit and age. One elderly pastor told me how the SteepleMate support team took the time to help set up his gmail account so he could access SteepleMate. Incredible, right?

Why I Picked SteepleMate: One reason to consider SteepleMate is its comprehensive people and guest management system. This feature allows you to efficiently organize member information, track attendance, and manage guest interactions, ensuring that everyone in your community feels connected and cared for.

Another valuable aspect of SteepleMate is its event management capabilities. You can easily plan and coordinate church events, manage RSVPs, and communicate details to attendees, simplifying the process for both organizers and participants. The platform also offers a web kiosk feature, which can be used for tasks like event check-ins,

SteepleMate Standout Features & Integrations

Features include online giving, birthday tracking, mass communication, staff management, pledges and campaigns, dynamic disbursements, non-cash contributions, customizable websites, mobile app access, sermon management, attendance tracking, and on-site kiosks.

Integrations for SteepleMate include QuickBooks for financials.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good check-in process
  • Range of giving features
  • Robust people management tools

Cons:

  • Limited integration options
  • Limited customization options in certain modules

Best for automated church communication

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $31/Month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

Text In Church is a communication-focused church management platform designed to help you build stronger connections with your congregation. It simplifies how your church engages with members and guests through texting, email, and automated follow-up systems, ensuring no one slips through the cracks.

Why I Picked Text In Church: I picked Text In Church because it helps you manage communication in a way that feels personal and consistent. Its automated workflows ensure guests and members always receive timely follow-ups, while two-way texting keeps the conversation going in real time. I also like that you can reach your congregation across multiple channels, text, email, and video messages, so you can connect with everyone in the way that works best for them.

For busy ministry teams, the mobile app is a plus, letting you manage engagement on the go.

Text In Church Standout Features & Integrations

Features include automated workflows for guest follow-up, two-way texting, email and video messaging, messaging templates, a digital receptionist, and smart voicemail options. You can also collect visitor details through digital connect cards and use built-in analytics to measure engagement.

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

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
  • From $58/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

One Church Software is a cloud-based church management system that offers a comprehensive solution for churches to manage their operations more efficiently. It provides tools for membership management, communication, donations, event planning, and reporting and analytics. 

Why I Picked One Church Software: I like that its intuitive membership management system allows churches to easily track and engage with their congregation, while the robust donation tracking feature ensures transparency and efficiency in managing contributions. Additionally, One Church Software excels in event planning, providing tools to schedule, promote, and manage church events. Its all-in-one approach simplifies church administration, making it an invaluable tool for church leaders.

One Church Software also offers a variety of communication tools, including email and SMS messaging, ensuring that church members stay informed and connected. Its volunteer management feature also enhances the process of recruiting, scheduling, and managing volunteers, which is crucial for the successful operation of church activities and events. The platform is also highly scalable for churches with growing communities.

One Church Software Standout Features & Integrations

Features include worship planning, check-in, attendance tracking, form and survey creation, customizable workflows, child check-in security, online giving options, facility management, small group management, automated reminders, and detailed reporting.

Integrations include MailChimp, Pushpay, Intercom, and eSPACE.

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 for ease of use

  • Free demo available
  • From $25/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

Breeze is an easy-to-use web-based church management system designed with small churches to mid-sized churches in mind.

With Breeze, you can easily add new data, send mass emails and text messages, track attendance and check-in children securely, and process donations online and by text message. Breeze requires no contract or setup fee and offers a data migration service to get you started quickly.

Why I Picked Breeze: Breeze makes it easy to manage your church's database, communicate with your members via email or text message, offer online and text giving, safely check in children, manage events and volunteers, and run reports.

Breeze Standout Features & Integrations

Features include a membership database, email and text messaging, attendance tracking, donation processing, reporting, and event management.

Integrations can be built using the Breeze API.

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 software designed to improve the way churches operate and engage with their members. By offering a suite of features tailored to the unique needs of churches, it aims to simplify administrative tasks and enhance community interactions.

Why I Picked

I picked Churchteams because of its strong focus on communication and engagement. Features like text-to-church allow you to communicate with your congregation directly through text messaging, making it easy to share important updates and maintain a connection with your community. This feature is particularly valuable for those who want to ensure that everyone stays informed and involved.

Another reason for choosing Churchteams is its robust volunteer management capabilities. You can recruit, train, schedule, and track volunteers all in one place. This is essential for churches that rely heavily on volunteers for various activities and events. By streamlining these processes, you can focus more on building relationships with your volunteers and less on the logistics.

Standout Features

Features include the check-in system, which ensures child safety and tracks attendance, providing peace of mind for parents and church staff alike. The giving management feature handles both online and in-person donations, making it easy for members to contribute in the way that suits them best. Lastly, the member app helps you manage member information and track attendance, ensuring you have all the data you need at your fingertips.

Integrations

Integrations include eSPACE, Protect My Ministry, and QuickBooks.

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
  • From $119/month
Visit Website
Rating: 3/5

Tithe.ly is a comprehensive church management software designed to help you manage your church’s operations, people, giving, and events—all in one place. It offers tools for digital giving, managing member information, organizing events, and communicating with your congregation.

Having tracked the rollout of various software tools across churches of all sizes, I’m struck by how many pastors tell me they were up and running with Tithe.ly in no time. The fast setup has been a recurring highlight from my audience.

Why I Picked Tithe.ly: Ultimately, I picked Tithe.ly because it provides a well-rounded suite of tools that help churches handle everyday administrative tasks while staying focused on community engagement. Its digital giving tools are particularly strong, offering mobile, online, and text giving, with support for recurring donations. These tools make it easy for members to give in the way that works best for them, while giving you clear reporting on contributions.

Another reason Tithe.ly stood out to me is its member management tools. You can track attendance, manage people through a detailed database, and organize members into groups for better communication. The platform also includes a custom church app and website builder, helping churches stay connected with their community both online and in-person.

Tithe.ly Standout Features & Integrations

Features include digital giving, people management, custom church apps, website builder, messaging tools (email and SMS), kids check-in, background checks and training, automation for administrative tasks, attendance tracking, event management, service planning tools, forms for registrations, and a people database with customizable tags.

Integrations include QuickBooks, RockRMS, Engiven, Elvanto, Salesforce, MinistryPlatform, Shelby, FellowshipOne, Planning Center Online, Church Community Builder, MinistrySafe, and The StudioC.

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 by ACS Technologies is a cloud-based church management software platform designed to support the diverse needs of ministries, administration, and pastoral care. It offers an integrated approach to church management to unite the entire community and enable pastors to tend to their congregations more effectively.

Having spent over 20 years in ministry, I know the pain of juggling multiple systems. I regularly hear from church leaders I interact with that Realm has been a relief because everything lives in one place (church members can even see their giving in real time.)

Why I Picked Realm: The software offers mobile applications, such as Realm Connect and Realm Shepherd, which allow pastors and congregation members to stay connected and engaged with church activities, contribute online, and access information and pastoral care tools from anywhere. 

The platform also offers tools for a range of administrative tasks such as reporting, real-time dashboards, event management, volunteer coordination, accounting, background checks, and customizable options to fit the unique needs of each church.

Realm Standout Features & Integrations

Features include personalized training and assistance, profiles and directories, online and mobile giving tools, posts, chats, custom roles for volunteers based on skillsets and interests, and custom pathways for internal workflows.

Integrations include Constant Contact, Go Method, Growth Method, Nelco, Vanco, Verified First, and more.

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 version available
  • from $0 per month
Visit Website
Rating: 3.6/5

Introduction

Subsplash is a church management software platform designed to enhance church operations and community engagement. It offers a range of features to support ministries in reaching their audiences and growing their communities.

Why I Picked

I picked Subsplash because it offers rich media hosting and live streaming capabilities, which are perfect for churches wanting to connect with their congregations remotely. These features allow you to share sermons, events, and other media content, ensuring your community stays engaged no matter where they are. Moreover, the platform's event management tools help you organize church activities and streamline participant registration, making it easy for your team to manage events.

Subsplash also provides online giving solutions, which are crucial for any church looking to offer flexible donation options. With features like mobile and TV app creation, Subsplash allows you to create a consistent and engaging experience for your congregation across multiple platforms. This holistic approach helps maintain a strong connection with your community, both in-person and online.

Standout Features

Features include child check-in, which ensures the safety of your youngest members during church activities. The volunteer management tools help you coordinate and schedule volunteers efficiently, making it easier to run events smoothly. Additionally, secure messaging enables you to communicate with your congregation privately and effectively, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

Integrations

Integrations include Groups, Check-In, Media, Events, Live Streaming, Messaging, Volunteers, TV Apps, The Church App™, Email + SMS, Push Notifications, and Forms + Notes.

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 available upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 3.5/5

Blackbaud Church Management Software is a cloud-based tool that can effectively manage your people, gifts, communications, events, and volunteers all in one place.

Better understand how your congregation is engaging with your church through a single source of data. With connected Financial Management, Payments, and more, on one digital platform. Simplify tithes and online giving for your congregation with one-time and recurring giving options via a connected giving app.

Blackbaud is an excellent church software for planning and executing successful fundraisers. You can use Blackbaud to ensure that you can communicate with team members to make planning events easier. Blackbaud also lets you monitor how team members are doing on their assigned tasks so you can offer assistance if needed. You can also use Blackbaud to create reports about your fundraisers to assess their effectiveness.

Why I Picked Blackbaud: With Faith Journey tracking you can get a better understanding of your members using comprehensive member and family profiles. Monitor attendance, anniversaries, donations, and engagement.

Blackbaud Standout Features & Integrations

Features include analytics, fundraising, relationship management, financial management, marketing and engagement, payment services, and church accounting.

Integrations include Bonfire, CallHub, CampBrain, ClickBid, GivBee, Gratavid, and Promp.io.

Best for church finances

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

Elvanto is an all-in-one cloud-based solution with many innovative features. Child check-in, privacy, and safety are some of the key features integrated into Elvanto, vital for children and youth leaders to ensure all in their care are accounted for.

Elvanto has an all-inclusive range of tools with no add-on modules and no extra charges. Some of the main features include access control, customizable forms, custom reports, mobile apps, event management, group management, email and SMS messaging, volunteer scheduling, and attendance tracking.

Elvanto makes the planning of worship services and managing volunteers simple. Create run sheets, schedule your volunteers, and access your song database, lyrics, and chords. It has a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes quickly creating service plans for your team a breeze.

Why I Picked Elvanto: Elvanto has powerful features for accessing financial data, contribution management, and can connect with various online giving providers.

Elvanto Standout Features & Integrations

Features include access control, customizable forms, custom reports, mobile apps, event management, group management, email and SMS messaging, volunteer scheduling, and attendance tracking.

Integrations include SongSelect, Faithlife Proclaim!, SafeMinistryTraining, MailChimp, Stripe, PayPal, Continue to Give, Mogiv, and Pushpay.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Great integration with 3rd party financial partners

Cons:

  • Check-ins don't always work reliably

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 for detailed membership records

  • free demo available
  • From $23.50/user/month (billed annually for two concurrent users).

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 member database management

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

Introduction

Wild Apricot is a membership management software designed to help organizations, including churches, manage their communities and events. It offers features like member management, event registration, and payment processing, making it a valuable tool for church administration.

Why I Picked

I picked Wild Apricot as a good church management software because of its member management capabilities. With Wild Apricot, you can maintain a centralized member database, which is crucial for keeping track of your congregation's details and ensuring personalized communication. Its event registration feature is another reason I chose it, as it allows you to organize church events with ease, providing a smooth experience for both administrators and attendees.

Another great feature is its payment processing capability, essential for handling donations and other financial transactions within the church. Wild Apricot also includes a website builder, enabling you to create and manage your church's online presence, keeping your community informed and engaged with updates and events.

Standout Features

Features include a mobile app that provides access to management tools on the go, allowing you to handle operations from anywhere. The software also offers a job board, which can be used to connect church members with employment opportunities, fostering community support. Additionally, Wild Apricot supports text messaging, enabling you to communicate quickly with your congregation, ensuring everyone stays connected.

Integrations

Integrations include WordPress, Make, Zapier, Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zendesk, Mailchimp, Google Sheets, Gravity Forms, and Zoom.

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 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 scaling with church growth

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $14/month/up to 75 group members

Planning Center is a versatile church management software that helps you organize and connect with your community. It offers a variety of tools for managing membership, events, worship planning, and donations, all within a unified platform.

Why I Picked

I picked Planning Center because it offers a membership database that keeps track of your congregation's details and interactions. This feature allows you to manage personal information, track attendance, and keep records of communication, ensuring you have all the information you need about your church members in one place. Additionally, the event scheduling tool is perfect for organizing church events and activities, making it easy to plan and manage everything from small group meetings to large community gatherings.

Another reason Planning Center stands out is its worship planning tool, which is great for organizing your worship services. It allows you to schedule songs, manage sheet music, and coordinate with your worship team, ensuring that every service runs smoothly. The donation management feature is also a crucial asset, as it lets you record and track contributions, offering a clear view of your church's financial health.

Standout Features - Descriptive Format

Features include a mobile app that allows congregants to engage with church activities on the go, ensuring they stay connected no matter where they are. Planning Center also offers free support and training resources, so you and your team can make the most out of the software without any hiccups. Additionally, the platform is scalable and modular, allowing you to select and pay for only the tools you need, which can be a big plus for churches of all sizes.

Integrations

Integrations include BoxCast, Checkr, Mailchimp, PraiseCharts, RehearsalMix, SongSelect, Zapier, Clearstream, MinistrySafe, Protect My Ministry, RehearsalPack, and Text In Church.

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 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 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

Best for centralizing church functions

  • 30-day free trial
  • from $9/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

ChurchTrac brings together member management, giving, events, volunteer-tracking and more in one platform designed for ministries that want to focus less on admin and more on community. If your staff is lean and you want a single system that handles your congregation’s data, contributions, attendance and communication, ChurchTrac delivers.

Why I Picked ChurchTrac

I chose ChurchTrac because it gives your team one place to track people, giving and ministry roles—so you’re no longer juggling multiple spreadsheets or systems. You’ll find that it supports member profiles and tags, smart lists, and communication tools like email, SMS and voice messages, which means you can reach your congregation without separate apps. Its “Church Connect” website + mobile app feature is built-in, letting your congregation give online, register for events and access a directory—so you can engage members from a single hub. And for finances, ChurchTrac provides fund accounting, bank-syncing, budgeting and donor reporting so your treasurer isn’t stuck in a separate tool.

ChurchTrac Key Features

From there, you’ll also find features such as:

  • Volunteer Scheduling & Check-In: assign roles, track attendance for events and kids ministries.
  • Custom Fields & Automations: add your own member fields and trigger workflows (e.g., auto-tag new visitors).
  • Event Management: built-in registration, forms for prayer requests/volunteers, and event calendar.
  • Financial Reporting & Fund Accounting: track multiple funds, import bank transactions, and produce income statements and fund-balance reports.

ChurchTrac Integrations

Integrations include Stripe, Twilio, Mailchimp, SendGrid, Plaid, Vanco Faith, MinistrySafe, SongSelect.

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

Best for large churches

  • Free demo available
  • From $200/month

MinistryPlatform is a church management solution designed for large churches, parishes, dioceses, and denominational offices. It centralizes operations, communication, and parishioner management into a single, customizable database. 

Why I Picked MinistryPlatform: Its centralized communication system enables seamless interaction among church members, staff, and volunteers, ensuring that everyone stays informed and engaged. The platform’s customizable database allows churches to manage profiles, groups, events, contributions, and volunteer activities efficiently. Additionally, the real-time insights feature provides valuable data to make informed decisions, further enhancing the overall church management experience.

The platform's customizable mobile app also allows churches to extend their reach and engage with members on the go, while the user-friendly interface ensures that staff can easily navigate and utilize the software. With these capabilities, MinistryPlatform helps large churches maintain a strong connection with their community and manage their resources effectively.

MinistryPlatform Standout Features & Integrations

Features include profile management, group management, event management, contribution tracking, volunteer management, real-time reporting, customizable dashboards, email marketing, and robust user permissions.

Integrations include Growth Method, PCO Connect, Active Screening Faith, BIS, Checkr, Protect My Ministry, Verified First, MinistrySafe, Twilio, Message Metrics, SendGrid, eSPACE, Events2HVAC, Generosity, GiveCentral, Kindrid, OnlineGiving, Vanco, Tithe.ly, and GoMethod.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Scalable platform
  • Good data management capabilities
  • Wide range of integrations, including an API

Cons:

  • Event registration feature could be more user-friendly
  • Initial complexity for non-technical users

Other Church Management Software

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

  1. Gracely

    For managing church donations and events

  2. Raklet

    For building your own branded app

  3. SeekerWorks

    New guest onboarding

  4. Kyrios ChMs

    Church reporting dashboard

  5. ACS Realm

    For small churches

  6. FaithLife

    Church website builder

  7. CDM+

    Charity/NGO fundraising app

  8. ShelbySystems

    Denominational headquarters solution

  9. Parishsoft

    For Catholic parishes

  10. CFS Live

    Feature-based subscription model

  11. CCIS

    Technical support & training

  12. Church Windows

    Shared calendar & event scheduling

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).

Central Features of Church Management Software

The right church management software should make your church run more smoothly and help it grow. Here are the top features to look for:

  1. Comprehensive Member Management: Track member data in detail. This helps personalize communication and build strong relationships.
  2. Robust Communication Tools: Send direct and group messages easily. Good communication keeps everyone informed and engaged.
  3. Flexible Contribution Tracking: Track donations and tithes in different ways. Accurate tracking is important for financial transparency.
  4. Event and Volunteer Management: Simplify scheduling and organizing events and volunteers. This ensures activities run smoothly and are well-staffed.
  5. Worship Planning and Coordination: Plan services and coordinate worship teams. Good planning helps deliver impactful services.
  6. Check-In and Security for Children’s Ministry: Ensure safe check-in for children’s programs. This is essential for the safety of young members.
  7. Online Giving and Payment Processing: Secure online donations and registrations. Easy online giving encourages generosity.
  8. Customizable Reporting: Create tailored reports on finances, attendance, and more. This helps make informed decisions.
  9. Integration with External Platforms: Work seamlessly with other tools like accounting systems or email marketing. Integration saves time and reduces admin work.
  10. Mobile App Availability: Access on the go with a mobile app. This helps members stay connected anytime, anywhere.

Choosing software with these features will help your church manage operations, engage the community, and support growth. Each feature is important for supporting your church’s mission.

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.