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Head-to-head · Church Management Software

ChurchTrac vs ChurchCMS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score ChurchTrac #4 in Church Management Software 9.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit ChurchTrac
ChurchCMS #7 in Church Management Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit ChurchCMS

ChurchTrac leads on 0 checks, ChurchCMS on 1, 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 scoreChurchTrac · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly ChurchCMS
  • Free trialonly ChurchTrac

ChurchTrac scores higher on our rubric for church management software: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

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

ChurchTrac is the better fit for churches wanting strong finance and ministry workflows. ChurchCMS is the better fit for technical churches wanting open-source flexibility.

  • ChurchTrac fits best

    Churches wanting strong finance and ministry workflows

  • ChurchCMS fits best

    Technical churches wanting open-source flexibility

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 ChurchTrac 9.1/10 Visit ↗ ChurchCMS 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #4 in Church Management Software #7 in Church Management Software
Best for Churches wanting strong finance and ministry workflows Technical churches wanting open-source flexibility
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $29/mo $290/yr
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Android
Support Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Community
Integrations 4 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ChurchTrac 5/5 · ChurchCMS 5/5
Group management ✓ ✓
Event registration ✓ ✓
Child check-in ✓ ✓
SMS messaging ✓ ✓
Volunteer scheduling ✓ ✓
Specs
Member limit 75 members Not checked yet
Mobile app Vendor Branded
Our review
Pros
  • Fund accounting, budgets, bank syncing, giving, and contribution statements
  • Secure child check-in with labels, pickup tags, allergies, and attendance
  • Member, group, event, worship, volunteer, messaging, and automation tools
  • 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
Cons
  • There is no free plan
  • Monthly pricing increases with the number of tracked names
  • The listed integrations are limited to four platforms
  • 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
Our verdict

ChurchTrac is church management software for churches of every size and denomination. It brings people management, groups, attendance, event registration, child check-in, worship planning, volunteer scheduling, messaging, giving,…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. ChurchTracChurch Management Software 9.130-day trial
  2. ChurchCMSChurch Management Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ChurchTrac — where it wins

    • Fund accounting, budgets, bank syncing, giving, and contribution statements
    • Secure child check-in with labels, pickup tags, allergies, and attendance
    • Member, group, event, worship, volunteer, messaging, and automation tools

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan
    • Monthly pricing increases with the number of tracked names
    • The listed integrations are limited to four platforms

  • 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

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