Managing a church involves various tasks and responsibilities, from organizing events and managing volunteers to keeping track of donations and communicating with members. In today’s digital age, it’s essential to have the right tools in place to streamline these processes and foster growth within the church community. That’s where church management software comes in, providing an all-in-one solution for churches of all sizes to manage their administrative tasks and better serve their members.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top 11 church management software of 2023, highlighting their unique features, pros, cons, and pricing. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of the best software options available and the factors to consider when selecting the ideal church management system for your church.
What Is Church Management Software?
Church management software (ChMS) helps bring many of the tools you currently use into a single platform.
The great news is many of these are web-based, making them accessible from any device, including your phone or tablet.
However, finding the exact right ChMS for your church and getting the system up and running can be challenging.
Introduction to the Top Church Management Software
Church management software has become an indispensable tool for religious organizations to streamline their operations and improve member engagement. These church management tools encompass numerous features like:
- Membership management
- Online giving
- Event planning
- Volunteer scheduling
With an array of options at your disposal, pinpointing the ideal church management software that caters to your church’s specific needs and requirements becomes imperative.
To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of the best church management software of 2023. Each software is chosen for its unique strengths in different areas, ensuring that there is a solution for every type of church.
Now, let’s delve into these exceptional software solutions.
Planning Center – Best for Comprehensive Features
See our full Planning Center Review
Price: $14 – $49 per month
Specifications: Church management involves much more than just organizing members and events. Comprehensive software is one way to ensure everything runs smoothly.
User-friendly interface
Pros:
- Wide range of features for managing church operations
- Integrates with popular third-party applications
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
- Limited customization options
Planning Center, a versatile church management software, caters to every ministry. It offers an extensive suite of features and tools, facilitating efficient management of church operations. The software includes modules for managing:
- People
- Events
- Services
- Giving
and more, making it easy for churches to streamline their processes and improve communication with members. Planning Center is known for its user-friendly interface and outstanding customer support, ensuring that users can make the most of the software with ease.
One drawback of Planning Center is its limited customization options, which may not suit churches that require more tailored solutions. However, the software’s robust functionality and excellent customer support make it a top choice for churches seeking a comprehensive church management solution.
Rock RMS – Best For In-Depth Customization
See our full Rock RMS review
Price: Custom; Based on church needs
Specifications: Rock RMS is a revolutionary open-source Church Management System that goes beyond mere organizational tasks, aiming to empower churches to build stronger relationships, foster community engagement, and spread their mission more effectively.
Pros:
- Advanced Customization: Open-source model allows for extensive modifications and customizations to meet individual church needs.
- Community-Driven Development: Constant improvements and feature additions driven by an active community of developers and users.
- Holistic Approach: Offers tools not only for member management but also for extensive digital engagement, communication strategies, and more.
- Robust Features: Comes equipped with a plethora of features including member management, financial management, event scheduling, and comprehensive reporting.
- Excellent Documentation and Support: Vast array of resources, tutorials, and an active community forum to assist users.
Cons:
- Steep Learning Curve: The vast array of features and customization options might overwhelm new users.
Rock RMS is a powerful, open-source church management software designed to aid churches in fostering community and spreading their message effectively. It is renowned for its highly customizable and advanced feature set including, but not limited to, managing:
- Members
- Contributions
- Events
- Groups
- Volunteers
- Digital Communications
Rock RMS stands out for its community-driven approach, where developers and users actively contribute to its improvement, ensuring it remains innovative and up-to-date with the evolving needs of churches. The system is also acclaimed for its thorough documentation and supportive user community, helping newcomers navigate through its extensive features and customization options.
One potential drawback is that its extensive feature set and customization options can be overwhelming for new users, posing a steep learning curve. However, its advanced capabilities, adaptability, and the robust support system make Rock RMS a prime choice for churches looking to extend their reach and impact with the aid of technology.
ChurchTrac – Best for Customizable Forms and Surveys
The price range for this product is from $5 to $57 per month. It is a great value for money.
Specifications:
- Customizable forms and surveys
- Wide range of church management features
Pros:
- Church accounting feature for fund accounting
- Many popular ChMS features on the platform
Cons:
- Lacks essential features such as church calendars, event management, and volunteer management
- Limited advanced engagement tools
ChurchTrac, a web-based church management solution, provides the advantage of customizable forms and surveys. This lets churches gather important data from their members. The software provides a range of features, including:
- Membership management
- Event management
- Online giving
- Accounting
This makes it a well-rounded solution for church administration.
While ChurchTrac offers many popular ChMS features, it lacks some essential tools such as church calendars, event management, service planning, and volunteer management, which may be a deal-breaker for some churches. The platform lacks some essential engagement tools like websites, church apps, live streaming and group messaging. This can be a major concern for users who demand advanced functionalities from such platforms. However, if your church requires a management system with customizable forms and surveys alongside other standard features, ChurchTrac might be a suitable option.
Breeze ChMS – Best for Small to Mid-Size Churches
Price: $72 per month
Specifications: Church organizations need efficient systems to manage day-to-day activities. Intuitive web-based flexible church management software provides an easy way to do this.
- Designed for small to mid-size churches
Pros:
- User-friendly and easy to use
- Offers a wide range of features for managing church operations
- Integration with QuickBooks and MailChimp
Cons:
- Reporting features can be difficult to navigate
Breeze ChMS, specifically designed for small to mid-size churches, is a complete church management solution. It offers a broad array of features and integrates well with popular tools such as QuickBooks and MailChimp. The intuitive web-based software allows churches to:
- Manage their databases
- Create groups
- Send and schedule email and text messages
- Offer online and text message giving
- Generate contribution reports
- Set up event registration and manage volunteers
- Securely check-in children and print name tags
One notable drawback of Breeze ChMS is that the reporting features can be difficult to navigate, which may be a challenge for some users. Despite this, Breeze ChMS is widely regarded as an excellent option for small to mid-size churches looking for a user-friendly and comprehensive church management software solution.
Tithe.ly – Best for Online Giving
See our full Tithely review
Price: Pricing options available upon request
Specifications:
- Comprehensive software solution for church accounting and giving processes
- Seamless giving experience through online and mobile app donations
Pros:
- Easy to use and navigate
- Integrates with church management systems
- Offers online giving and mobile app
Cons:
- Some users reported issues with Touch ID integration
- Website editing platform can be difficult to use
Tithe.ly is a holistic software solution, crafted to aid churches in managing their accounting and donation processes. With Tithe.ly, churches can easily track and record donations, manage member information, and generate financial reports. The software offers a range of features to enhance the giving experience, including online giving, text-to-give, and a mobile app for easy access. Tithe.ly is known for its user-friendly interface and excellent customer support, making it a popular choice among churches of all sizes.
Some users have reported issues with Touch ID integration and found the website editing platform difficult to use. Despite these minor drawbacks, Tithe.ly remains an excellent option for churches looking to streamline their giving processes and enhance their overall financial management.
Realm – Best for Community Focus
Price: Not mentioned
Specifications:
- Community-focused online church management system
- Wide range of features for managing membership, donations, events, and communication
Pros:
- Great overall experience
- User-friendly interface
- Convenient online giving and accounting
Cons:
- Sometimes confusing for users when it comes to privacy management and notifications
Realm, an online church management system with a community focus, provides a plethora of features that assist churches in managing members, donations, events, and communication. With Realm, churches can easily keep track of their members’ information, create directories, and manage small groups. The software also provides tools for online giving and accounting, making it convenient for both church administrators and members. Realm has received positive reviews for its user-friendly interface and customer support.
One issue some users have encountered with Realm is confusion regarding privacy management and notifications. Despite this minor drawback, Realm remains an excellent option for churches focused on building and maintaining a strong community.
FellowshipOne – Best for Large Churches
Price: Not mentioned
Specifications:
- Designed for large churches
- Features for managing members, groups, and finances
Pros:
- Ability to create multiple groups with different schedules and purposes
- Integrates well with other church systems
Customizable reports
Cons:
- Reports can be difficult to run and not very intuitive
- Not the best at certain functionalities, requiring the use of third-party tools
FellowshipOne, a church management software tailored for large churches, offers features to manage members, groups, and finances. It offers the ability to create multiple groups with different schedules and purposes, integrate with other church systems, and customize reports. While FellowshipOne is a robust software solution, some users have reported difficulties running reports and navigating certain functionalities, which may require the use of third-party tools.
Despite these drawbacks, FellowshipOne remains a solid choice for large churches in need of a comprehensive church management solution that can handle the complexities of their operations and membership.
PushPay – Best for Seamless Giving Experience
See our full PushPay review
Price: Not mentioned
Specifications:
- Seamless giving experience through online and mobile app donations
- Integration with Church Community Builder
Pros:
- Seamless and convenient giving experience
- Great mobile app with text-to-give feature
- Easy integration with Church Community Builder
Cons:
- Account connected to phone number
- Fees and pricing
- Some users report poor customer service
PushPay, a church management software, facilitates a smooth giving experience through online and mobile app donations. It integrates well with church websites and offers features like text-to-give and integration with Church Community Builder (CCB). While PushPay has received positive reviews for its ease of use and customer support, some users have expressed concerns about the fees and pricing.
One notable drawback of PushPay is that it connects user accounts to their phone numbers, which may cause issues for some users. Despite these concerns, PushPay remains an excellent option for churches seeking a seamless giving experience for their members.
Church Windows – Best for Accounting Features
Price: $499
Specifications:
- Church management involves much more than just organizing members and events.
- Comprehensive software is one way to ensure everything runs smoothly, with a focus on accounting features.
- Customizable options and user-friendly interface.
Pros:
- Comprehensive church management features
- User-friendly and customizable interface
- Accounting features for managing church finances
Cons:
- Relatively high price compared to other church management software
Church Windows, a holistic church management software, emphasizes accounting features. It offers:
- Customizable options
- User-friendly interface
- Membership database management
- Contribution tracking
- Event scheduling
- Communication with members
- Accounting features, such as budgeting and financial reporting
With Church Windows, churches can easily manage their finances and effectively run their operations.
One drawback of Church Windows is its relatively high price compared to other church management software options. However, if your church requires a management system with a strong focus on accounting features, Church Windows is a solid choice.
Churchteams – Best for Email Management
Price: $37 per month for up to 200 people
Specifications:
- Church and small group management software
- Powerful email editor and automation features
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Great customer support
- Manage volunteers and children’s ministry with ease
Cons:
- Compatibility issues with Macs
- Embed code for directory less functional on mobile devices
Churchteams, a church and small group management software, assists churches and church leaders in streamlining operations and enhancing communication with their church members. With Churchteams, churches can:
- Manage volunteers
- Track attendance
- Organize church events
- Handle donations
The software is easy to use and offers great customer support, making it a popular choice among churches of all sizes.
One of the standout features of Churchteams is its powerful email editor and automation features for scheduled emails. However, some users have reported compatibility issues with Macs and found the embed code for the directory to be less functional on mobile devices. Despite these minor drawbacks, Churchteams is an excellent option for churches looking to enhance their email management capabilities.
Servant Keeper – Best for Volunteer Management
Price: $299 for small churches, $599 for full price
Specifications:
- Church management involves much more than just organizing members and events.
- Comprehensive software is one way to ensure everything runs smoothly, with a focus on volunteer management.
- Customizable options and user-friendly interface.
Pros:
- Wide range of resources to facilitate efficient church administration
- Daily church operations and interactions with congregants
Cons:
- Higher price compared to some other church management software
- May require training for new users
Servant Keeper, a holistic church management software, emphasizes volunteer management. It provides:
- Customizable options
- A user-friendly interface
- A wide range of resources to help churches streamline their administrative tasks and enhance their ministry
This makes it an excellent choice for churches of all sizes.
One drawback of Servant Keeper is its higher price compared to some other church management software options. Additionally, new users may require training to fully utilize the software’s features. Nevertheless, Servant Keeper remains a top choice for churches seeking a management system with a strong focus on volunteer management.
How to Choose the Right Church Management Software
When choosing the ideal church management software for your church, considering various factors is crucial to ensure the chosen solution aligns with your specific needs and requirements. Every church is unique, and the right software should be able to accommodate your church’s size, budget, and desired features.
First, consider the features that are most important to your church’s operations. This may include:
- Membership management
- Online giving
- Event management
- Volunteer scheduling
- Communication tools
Look for software that offers the key features you need and can integrate with other systems your church may already be using. Additionally, consider whether the software is cloud-based or locally installed, as this can affect ease of use and accessibility for your staff and volunteers.
Lastly, remember to consider your budget. Despite the availability of free church management software options, evaluating the features and support offered by paid solutions is crucial to secure the best fit for your church’s needs. Be sure to research church management software cost, including pricing plans and monthly fees for each software option, and factor in any potential costs related to training, customer support, and software updates.
Summary
In conclusion, there is a wide range of church management software options available to suit the needs of churches of all sizes and budgets. Each software solution offers its unique strengths and features, making it essential to carefully evaluate your church’s specific requirements when selecting the right software.
By considering factors such as key features, integrations, pricing, and accessibility, you can find the best church management software to streamline your church’s operations, enhance communication, and foster growth within your church community. Take the time to research and compare the top options available to ensure that you choose a solution that will truly benefit your church and its members.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep track of church members?
By using church metrics software, you can easily track and monitor church members. The platform provides a contact list to communicate with members, the ability to add pictures and roles to profiles, as well as real-time attendance statistics for your congregation and business operations. This software can help you better understand your church’s growth and engagement. It can also help you identify areas of improvement and opportunities for outreach. With the data you collect
What does a church management software do?
Church management software streamlines operations, reduces cost and helps promote growth in religious organizations and churches by automating daily administrative tasks.
Do churches use CRM?
Yes, churches do use CRM, referred to as ChMS (Church Management Software). It enables them to generate, manage, and convert leads into donors, build marketing campaigns and landing pages, and automate workflows and other communication to build and strengthen relationships.
What are the key features to look for in church management software?
When looking for church management software, be sure to consider features such as membership management, online giving, event management, volunteer scheduling, and communication tools.
