Church Volunteer Management Software: Ranked & Reviewed For 2024
Our Picks for Best-In-Class Church Volunteer Management Software
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
When I first started managing volunteers (back in my teens), everything was manual: organizing schedules, events, and follow-ups—no volunteer management software tools to simplify the work. Scheduling worship practices, coordinating outreach, running prayer initiatives... I had to figure out each step through trial and error. And plenty of things fell through the cracks:
- I spent countless hours organizing schedules instead of building relationships.
- Double-booking and missed assignments happened too often.
- Supporting each volunteer felt overwhelming without clear systems.
These challenges came up because I didn’t have the right tools to stay organized. That’s why I’m sharing this list of volunteer management software tools. Each one is designed to save time, reduce stress, and keep your team running smoothly. Let’s look at which ones might be the best fit for your ministry.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
My team and I are all pastors and church leaders. We’ve been in the trenches of volunteer management, too. We have been testing and reviewing church volunteer management software since 2019.
We know firsthand how crucial and challenging it is to pick the right software.
So, to make your life easier, we’ve done the heavy lifting. We dive deep into research to help you make better software decisions. Over the years, we’ve tested over 2,000 tools for various church management needs and written over 1,000 detailed reviews. Want to see how we stay transparent? Check out our affiliate page and learn about our review methodology.
The 11 Best Church Volunteer Management Software Summary
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| ChurchCREW | From $6/month | Website |
| ChMeetings | From $12/month | Website |
| VolunteerHub | No details | Website |
| Realm | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Galaxy Digital | Customized pricing according to individual needs | Website |
| Churchteams | No details | Website |
| iVolunteer | From $20/user/month | Website |
| ACS Realm | No details | Website |
| VolunteerMark | No details | Website |
| Signup Zone | No details | Website |
| Planning Center | From $14/month/up to 75 group members | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow to Choose Church Volunteer Management Software
How your church runs will be different than how my church runs. How you and your team make decisions will differ slightly from how my leadership team does. That being said, here’s some good, common-sense wisdom to consider:
Make Sure It’s Easy to Use.
If the volunteer software's user interface is too complicated, your team will waste time trying to figure it out. Look for something simple, with a clear dashboard, so volunteers can check schedules and tasks quickly without needing a ton of training.
Choose Software with Built-in Communication.
Good communication keeps things running smoothly, but it’s easy to lose track of messages. Look for software with built-in messaging, email options, and reminders to help everyone stay informed and cut down on missed assignments.
Go for Flexible Scheduling Options.
Church schedules change constantly. You need software that lets you quickly re-assign roles if a volunteer cancels last minute. Flexible scheduling makes it easier to adjust shifts and keep every role covered.
Prioritize Reporting Tools.
It’s hard to know if you’re meeting your volunteer's needs without data. Look for software that tracks hours, attendance, and event success. This helps you see what’s working and where you may need to adjust.
Make Sure the Church Volunteer Software Integrates with Your Other Tools.
If your church uses other software, like a church management system, make sure the volunteer software integrates well with it. This makes data entry easier and keeps everything organized across your tools.
Overviews Of The 10 Best Church Volunteer Management Software
Here’s a brief description of each church volunteer management platform to showcase each tool’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.
Church CREW is an innovative church volunteer management software designed to streamline the coordination and engagement of church volunteers. This software leverages artificial intelligence to automate and optimize volunteer scheduling, making it easier for church leaders to manage recurring activities.
The platform is unique in that it offers automated schedule generation using artificial intelligence. This feature ensures that volunteer schedules are fair and balanced, reducing the administrative burden on church leaders. The software also facilitates volunteer-initiated swaps and provides an intuitive substitute finder, making it easier for both volunteers and administrators to handle changes and avoid scheduling conflicts. Additionally, the system has communication features, like sending automated email and SMS notifications to remind volunteers of their upcoming shifts
Church CREW integrates with popular email platforms.
Best for event management with volunteer-specific roles and responsibilities
ChMeetings is a robust church management software designed to enhance the efficiency of church volunteer management. It caters to churches of all sizes, providing a suite of features that streamline volunteer coordination and communication. Standout features include volunteer scheduling, which allows church administrators to create and manage volunteer rosters. The software also offers tools for tracking volunteer attendance, ensuring that all volunteers are engaged and contributing to church activities.
ChMeetings also includes capabilities like event management with volunteer-specific roles and responsibilities. The platform supports detailed reporting and analytics to help church leaders make informed decisions about volunteer deployment and management. Additionally, ChMeetings provides communication tools that enable targeted messaging to volunteers, ensuring they are informed and motivated.
This tool integrates with MailChimp, PayPal, Twilio, SMSGlobal, and more.
VolunteerHub is designed to make organizing ministry outreach events simple. The software facilities all aspects of volunteer management, ensuring that all projects and events are staffed optimally. Church leaders can view and print rosters, update event details, and email helpers from anywhere.
The software encompasses both volunteer management and event administration. As a result, managers can regulate the number of volunteers assisting at each event, search for appropriate helpers and register them as needed. Waitlists can be created for full events, with emails sent as spaces become available.
VolunteerHub integrates with many business platforms including Altru and eTapestry.
Realm by ACS Technologies is a cloud-based church management software platform that offers integrated tools and services for ministries, administration, and pastoral care. It is recognized for church management integration as it provides real-time dashboards, reports, and integrated background checks and stewardship tools to help churches accomplish their mission.
I chose Realm after evaluating its capabilities to create and customize volunteer roles, schedule volunteers, and manage volunteer attendance. What makes Realm distinct is its comprehensive integration with other church management tools, including real-time dashboards, communication features, and background check services.
Features include account segments for more detailed reporting of transactions as well as tools for administrative tasks, like volunteer management, background checks, event management, and reporting. Realm also offers mobile apps for better congregation connectivity.
Integrations include Verified First, Nelco, Constant Contact, Growth Method, Go Method, Vanco, and more.
Designed to be mobile-first, Galaxy Digital helps nonprofit organizations automate, streamline and grow their volunteer programs. The Get Connected functionality tracks volunteer hours and reports on the impact of their work. Volunteer managers can quickly approve time submissions. Helpers can also be managed in large or small groups, with time allocated to different projects as required.
The work of 'plus one' volunteers can also be tracked easily. This all-in-one app is social-media friendly, encouraging volunteers to share their work with friends. Volunteer resumes are built automatically, ready for download at any time.
Churchteams provides membership management, communications, and contributions management for churches and nonprofit organizations of any size. Church leaders can collect custom member attributes and record attendance, as well as taking pastoral notes and prayer requests. The check-in features help with managing attendance at classes, events, and worship services.
The text-to-church capability allows volunteers and others to start an interaction with the church, using technology they are comfortable with. Volunteers can be assigned to one or more groups according to their preferences. Churchteams is available both on the web and as a mobile app.
This tool integrates with a number of applications, including Google Maps.
iVolunteer allows helpers to sign up for events quickly and easily. Designed to replace paper signup sheets, this user-friendly software eliminates confusion and duplication of staffing, while also protecting privacy.
You can record attendance in real-time via the web or use manual sign-in reports. It's easy to modify the home page, header, and instructions for each event. Administrators can be kept up to date with email notifications of signups and cancellations.
Realm from ASC Technologies manages your church volunteer database, including volunteers, staff, and members of the congregation. The software keeps track of attendance, monitors giving, and helps leaders communicate with members. Realm integrates with your church website to manage check-in and allow updating of personal profiles.
The software has features to help ministers discover the talents of individual volunteers. This information can then be used to assign people to the tasks that suit them best. If necessary, unique roles can be created to leverage the skills of particular volunteers.
Realm integrates with solutions such as Givelify, Extend, and the Journey Project.
VolunteerMark is a cloud-based system for managing interactions with volunteers. It assists with scheduling, attendance tracking, reporting, and communications. Ministers can share volunteer opportunities to recruit helpers, as well as send emails and text messages to keep everyone in the loop.
VolunteerMark is designed to be easy to use, and even novice users can get up to speed quickly. Additional features include supporting multiple administrators, data migration, custom fields, and tags. The software connects to social media to make sharing simple.
The software integrates with applications such as Stripe, LinkedIn, Facebook, and SendGrid.
SignUp.com offers volunteer scheduling software for streamlining scheduling, event planning, and fundraising. Ministers can manage volunteer records and send invitations by email or SMS. They can also receive confirmation notifications instantly.
This app can be used to manage signups for any event, using features such as engagement analytics, data synchronization, custom workflows, and calendar management. Church leaders can use the mobile app to view or edit volunteer details, assign tasks and generate reports.
The software integrates with WePay for online payments, allowing organizations to collect fees and contributions.
Planning Center is a cloud-based CHMS that supports church leaders in organizing, scheduling, and managing programs and events. Features include a services module for planning worship events, plus a resources module that makes it easy to reserve rooms and publish event calendars. Members of the congregation can see future events displayed on tablets, touchscreens, or TVs in common areas.
Organizers can schedule months ahead using the Matrix feature, while volunteer gaps can be filled with auto-scheduling. Church members can upload and tag media and files, including songs or videos required for services. All events, rooms, and resources have their own calendar feeds, which can be synched with programs such as Outlook, iCal, and Google Calendar.
This tool integrates with ChurchSuite, Essential Worship, Faithlife Proclaim, and Mailchimp.
Other Options
Here are additional options to consider: they didn’t make the top ten, but they’re definitely worth your review:
- Planning Center
For advanced scheduling over long time periods
- Church Community Builder
For simplifying scheduling
- Track It Forward
For volunteer self-tracking
- MinistryPlatform
For large churches
- SignUpGenius
Eliminates ‘reply-all’ emails and paper signup sheets
- Timecounts
For a software solution that scales with your program
- VolunteerLocal
For streamlined scheduling, event registration, and communication
- WhenToHelp
Eliminates volunteer scheduling headaches
- YourVolunteers
100% free volunteer scheduling
- Roster Volunteers
Quick and easy volunteer scheduling
Selection Criteria for Church Volunteer Management Software
Church volunteer management software MUST to do what it claims to do, and do it WELL. Ultimately, we as pastors need tools like this to simplify our management workload so we can allocate more energy/time/budget on the ministry work of church leadership.
All that being said, here’s the evaluation scale my team and I use to determine which software tool will do that best:
Church Volunteer Management Software Core Functionality: 25% of total weighting score
To be considered for our list of the best church volunteer management software, the tool we’re looking at must provide the following support:
- Managing volunteer schedules
- Facilitating communication with volunteers
- Tracking volunteer hours and participation
- Planning and coordinating events
- Provide mobile access
- Generate reports and analytics
- Offer security features
- Provide customizable templates
- Integrating with existing church management systems
Additional Standout Features: 25% of total weighting score
- Unique features like drag-and-drop scheduling
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Mobile access for volunteers and staff
- Integrated messaging and email tools
- Security features to protect volunteer data
- Innovative tools leverage new features that streamline operations, like automated scheduling adjustments and real-time communication updates.
Usability: 10% of total weighting score
- An intuitive user interface that’s easy to navigate
- Minimal training required for staff and volunteers
- Efficient access to key functions without unnecessary complexity
- Aesthetic design that enhances user experience
Onboarding: 10% of total weighting score
- Quick and simple onboarding processes
- Availability of training videos and templates
- Interactive product tours and chatbots
- Webinars to guide new users
Customer Support: 10% of total weighting score
- 24/7 support availability
- Responsive and helpful support teams
- Comprehensive FAQs and knowledge bases
- Multiple support channels like phone, email, and live chat
Value For Money: 10% of total weighting score
- Competitive pricing models
- Transparent pricing structures
- Good balance between cost and functionality
- Discounts for non-profits and churches
Customer Reviews: 10% of total weighting score
- Consistently positive feedback from users
- High ratings in reliability and ease of use
- Testimonials about improved efficiency and volunteer engagement
- Feedback on the effectiveness of customer support and onboarding
Since 2019, these criteria have consistently helped to bring the best church volunteer management tools to the surface.
Trends in Church Volunteer Management Software for 2024
My team? Well... we’re sort of software nerdsWe get a weird, twisted fulfillment from reading the latest product updates, press releases, and release logs from church volunteer management software providers. (Hey, how else would we identify key trends, evolving features, and changing priorities in this space?)
So, here's what we're seeing play out in the church volunteer management software landscape:
Technological Advancements...
- AI-powered everything… Looking to optimize volunteer placement, reduce administrative workload, or encourage better volunteer engagement? More and more software tools are incorporating AI. Like it or hate it, AI is having an immediate impact… I mean, predictive analytics that forecast volunteer availability and preference? Sign me up, man.
- Mobile apps are where it’s at. Volunteers and church leaders can access, change, or switch schedules, communicate with team members, and manage tasks on the go. Phones have never been more ubiquitous, and church volunteer management software is taking that to a new level.
- Automated messaging and real-time notifications are par-for-the-course. These tools help keep volunteers informed and engaged without requiring constant manual input from church staff.
- Robust data analytics and reporting capabilities are the new black. With them, church leaders to track volunteer performance, event success, and overall engagement, providing valuable insights for strategic planning.
Interesting New(ish) Features...
- Software tools are now offering ‘engagement metrics’ to track volunteer satisfaction and commitment levels. I guess to help identify and address areas for improvement in their volunteer programs? Anyone in your congregation who’s more, um… liberal (?) in their leaning will likely not take kindly to that level of tracking.
- Customizable dashboards allow users to tailor their interface to suit specific needs, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
- Gamification Elements? Huh? Some tools are trying to make volunteering for churches ‘fun’ by awarding points, badges, and leaderboards to encourage participation and reward commitment… I guess anything can be fun if we make it a game, right? Feels a little ‘primary school’ to me...
In-Demand Features...
- Integration with existing church management systems is a big deal—and for good reason. When volunteer software and management software share data, you only need to enter information into ONE of them, and it auto-updates across your suite of tools. This is great for streamlining things accurately.
- Automating routine tasks (sending reminders, updating schedules, etc.) offers a lot of value, slashing the administrative burden down by… well, a lot.
- Enhanced security features are increasingly critical, considering how much sensitive information is collected and stored. Churches aren’t immune to breaches. There’s no greater way to torpedo your congregation's trust than by telling them you’ve been hacked and their info is floating around on the dark web or something.
Declining Features...
- Basic communication tools (like simple email and SMS) are becoming less critical as more advanced, integrated communication tools emerge.
- Standalone event management features are losing ground to more comprehensive solutions integrating event planning and volunteer management.
What is Church Volunteer Management Software?
Church volunteer management software helps pastors and church leaders organize and coordinate their volunteers. They can help ensure volunteers are well-managed and engaged by automating tasks like volunteer scheduling, communication, and tracking,
This software can take on a LOT of the admin and management tasks, clearing space for leaders to engage in the core ministry work.
Features of Church Volunteer Management Software
When choosing church volunteer management software, look for THESE features. If the software you’re looking at doesn’t do the following things, you may find yourself feeling limited down the road:Easy to Use: A user-friendly design keeps frustration low and makes it easy for more volunteers to get onboard quickly.
- Automated Scheduling: Look for software that handles the bulk of scheduling for you. You should only need to review and adjust, not build schedules from scratch.
- Built-In Communication: Messaging and email options help keep everyone informed without needing separate communication apps.
- Mobile Access: Volunteers should be able to check schedules and updates from their phones, making it easier for them to stay engaged.
- Volunteer Database: This keeps all volunteer information organized and at your fingertips, saving you time spent searching for details.
- Reports and Analytics: Look for tracking features that show volunteer hours and event outcomes to help with informed planning.
- Automated Reminders: Sends shift reminders to volunteers, reducing no-shows and last-minute scramble.
- Event Planning Tools: Helps you organize events smoothly, freeing up time to focus on ministry.
- Integration with Church Systems: Ensure it works with your current tools, like church management software, to avoid duplicate entries.
- Security Features: Protects volunteer information, so you can focus on ministry with peace of mind.
These features make a real difference in making your volunteer management tool effective and stress-free.
Benefits of Church Volunteer Management Software
There are four things you can expect to happen as a result of implementing and using church volunteer management software:
- Increased Efficiency. Your leaders should find themselves with more time to focus on ministry instead of admin. The software will automate scheduling, communication, and reporting tasks.
- Improved Communication: Your volunteers will be better informed and miscommunications will drop. The software centralizes messaging and email integration.
- Better Organization: Everyone will know who’s serving, where, and when. The software will clarify volunteer schedules and roles, minimizing confusion and ensuring everyone knows their responsibilities.
- Data-Driven Insights: Your leaders will have access to data on your volunteer engagement and activity. The software provides robust reporting and analytics.
Using church volunteer management software improves operational efficiency and strengthens volunteer coordination and engagement.
Costs & Pricing for Church Volunteer Management Software
Our research team canvassed the major players in the church volunteer management space and gathered the pricing information, summarizing it in the following table. Here’s what you can (generally) expect to pay:
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features | Best For... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic scheduling, volunteer database, email notifications, limited reporting and analytics | Small churches with minimal volunteer needs |
| Basic Plan | $20/month | Enhanced scheduling, communication tools, mobile access, basic reporting, and analytics | Small to mid-sized churches needing simple scheduling |
| Standard Plan | $50/month | Advanced scheduling, integrated messaging, mobile app access, comprehensive reporting and analytics | Mid-sized churches looking for more robust volunteer tools |
| Premium Plan | $100/month | All Standard features, event planning tools, volunteer feedback tracking, and advanced security features | Growing churches with frequent events and more volunteers |
| Enterprise Plan | $200+/month | Customizable features, full integration with other systems, priority support, dedicated account manager | Large churches or multi-site campuses needing custom solutions |
As you can see, you’ll likely be able to find something that meets your church’s unique needs profile and price point.
Church Volunteer Management Software Frequently Asked Questions
1. How secure is my church's data with church volunteer management software?
Church volunteer management software providers prioritize data security, for the most part. They typically use advanced encryption protocols, regular security audits, and compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR.
2. Can this type of software handle volunteer background checks and compliance requirements?
Yes, many church volunteer management software solutions include features for handling volunteer background checks and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. These tools often integrate with third-party services to streamline the background check process, helping you maintain a safe and compliant volunteer program.
3. Does the software offer training and resources to help our volunteers get started?
Most reputable church volunteer management software providers offer extensive training and resources. These can include video tutorials, knowledge bases, webinars, and interactive product tours to ensure that both staff and volunteers can quickly learn the software's functionalities.
4. Are there customization options to fit the specific needs of our church?
Yes, many church volunteer management software solutions offer customization options. This can include tailored dashboards, customizable reporting, and flexible scheduling features that can be adjusted to meet the unique needs of your church and its volunteer programs. Be sure your volunteer software fits with your ChMS (church management system). To double check, read our ranked comparisons of this year's best ChMS tools.
5. How does the software support volunteer recruitment and retention efforts?
Church volunteer management software often includes tools designed to enhance volunteer recruitment and retention. Features like volunteer portals, automated reminders, personalized communication, and feedback tracking help keep volunteers engaged and appreciated, improving retention rates.
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