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Head-to-head · Church Management Software

ChurchCMS vs ChurchTools

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score ChurchCMS #7 in Church Management Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit ChurchCMS
ChurchTools #8 in Church Management Software 8.6/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit ChurchTools

ChurchCMS leads on 1 check, ChurchTools on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreChurchCMS · 8.7/10
  • Free planonly ChurchCMS
  • Free trialonly ChurchTools

ChurchCMS scores higher on our rubric for church management software: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

ChurchCMS offers free plan; ChurchTools doesn't. On mobile app, ChurchCMS gives you Branded where ChurchTools offers Vendor.

ChurchCMS is the better fit for technical churches wanting open-source flexibility. ChurchTools is the better fit for growing churches needing deep operations and integrations.

  • ChurchCMS fits best

    Technical churches wanting open-source flexibility

  • ChurchTools fits best

    Growing churches needing deep operations and integrations

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ChurchCMS 8.7/10 Visit ↗ ChurchTools 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #7 in Church Management Software #8 in Church Management Software
Best for Technical churches wanting open-source flexibility Growing churches needing deep operations and integrations
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $290/yr $39/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Community Email, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ChurchCMS 5/5 · ChurchTools 5/5
Group management ✓ ✓
Event registration ✓ ✓
Child check-in ✓ ✓
SMS messaging ✓ ✓
Volunteer scheduling ✓ ✓
Specs
Member limit Not checked yet 100 members
Mobile app Branded Vendor
Our review
Pros
  • Self-hosted option includes full source code and all features
  • Covers giving, events, groups, check-in, volunteers, and communications
  • Branded Android app plus website, media, API, and six integrations
  • Combines member records, groups, worship, finance, check-in, and communication
  • REST API offers more than 800 endpoints, plus multiple third-party integrations
  • Web, iOS, and Android access includes mobile check-in and church workflows
Cons
  • Self-hosting requires server installation and environment configuration
  • Mobile app support is centered on Android
  • Advanced deployment support costs extra through hosting or setup services
  • Package XS supports 100 people and has no additional campuses
  • SMS messaging requires CM Telecom and incurs provider charges
  • Feature and capacity limits vary substantially across six paid packages
Our verdict

ChurchCMS is an open-source church management platform for churches and ministry teams that want member records, giving, events, groups, attendance, communications, websites, and media tools in one system. Its scope covers family units,…

Read the review →

ChurchTools is a web-based church management platform for Protestant and Catholic parishes, Free Churches, Christian ministries, and congregations of different sizes. It brings together people records, group management, calendars, event…

Read the review →
  1. ChurchCMSChurch Management Software 8.7Free plan
  2. ChurchToolsChurch Management Software 8.630-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ChurchCMS — where it wins

    • Self-hosted option includes full source code and all features
    • Covers giving, events, groups, check-in, volunteers, and communications
    • Branded Android app plus website, media, API, and six integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosting requires server installation and environment configuration
    • Mobile app support is centered on Android
    • Advanced deployment support costs extra through hosting or setup services

  • ChurchTools — where it wins

    • Combines member records, groups, worship, finance, check-in, and communication
    • REST API offers more than 800 endpoints, plus multiple third-party integrations
    • Web, iOS, and Android access includes mobile check-in and church workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Package XS supports 100 people and has no additional campuses
    • SMS messaging requires CM Telecom and incurs provider charges
    • Feature and capacity limits vary substantially across six paid packages

More comparisons

All church management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update