Planning Center vs ChMeetings

Planning Center9.4Visit ChMeetings8.9Visit

Higher score Planning Center #1 in Church Management Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Try Planning Center

vs

ChMeetings #5 in Church Management Software 8.9/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit ChMeetings

• Planning Center fits best

  Churches wanting broad value and mobile access

• ChMeetings fits best

  Churches needing comprehensive features at low cost

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Side by side

Feature	Planning Center 9.4/10 Visit ↗	ChMeetings 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Church Management Software	#5 in Church Management Software
Best for	Churches wanting broad value and mobile access	Churches needing comprehensive features at low cost
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$15/unit/mo	$12/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	30 days	30 days
Free trial length	30 days	30 days · no card needed
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, Android, iOS
Support	Email, Phone, Live chat, Community, Docs	Phone, Live chat, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, GDPR, 2FA	GDPR, 2FA
Integrations	6 integrations	9,000+ integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Planning Center 5/5 · ChMeetings 5/5
Group management	✓	✓
Event registration	✓	✓
Child check-in	✓	✓
SMS messaging	✓	✓
Volunteer scheduling	✓	✓
Specs
Member limit	75 members	100 members (best)
Mobile app	Vendor	Vendor
Our review
Pros	Free plan includes people records, reporting, and Church Center access Covers groups, events, check-in, scheduling, messaging, giving, and facilities Supports web, iOS, Android, and congregation-facing Church Center experiences	Permanent free plan includes registration, payments, check-in, and a mobile app Covers giving, accounting, worship planning, scheduling, and messaging Supports web, iOS, Android, and seven listed integrations
Cons	À la carte pricing requires choosing and paying for individual products Paid product plans have different usage limits by module May be more than needed for churches seeking one narrow-purpose tool	Free plan is limited to 50 people SMS and voice messaging cost extra Branded church app is an additional paid add-on
Our verdict	Planning Center is an à la carte church management suite for churches and ministry organizations. Its connected products support membership records, group engagement, event registration, attendance, child and family check-in, giving,… Read the review →	ChMeetings is church management software for churches, ministries, dioceses, and growing congregations. It brings together people and family records, groups and ministries, events, attendance, child check-in, giving, messaging, volunteer… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Planning Center — where it wins

  • Free plan includes people records, reporting, and Church Center access
  • Covers groups, events, check-in, scheduling, messaging, giving, and facilities
  • Supports web, iOS, Android, and congregation-facing Church Center experiences

  Where it doesn't

  • À la carte pricing requires choosing and paying for individual products
  • Paid product plans have different usage limits by module
  • May be more than needed for churches seeking one narrow-purpose tool

• ChMeetings — where it wins

  • Permanent free plan includes registration, payments, check-in, and a mobile app
  • Covers giving, accounting, worship planning, scheduling, and messaging
  • Supports web, iOS, Android, and seven listed integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Free plan is limited to 50 people
  • SMS and voice messaging cost extra
  • Branded church app is an additional paid add-on

• Planning Center9.4/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A modular church suite covering people, groups, events, giving, services, and check-in.

  Try Planning CenterFull verdict →
• ChMeetings8.9/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A broad church management suite with a permanent free tier and scalable people limits.

  Visit ChMeetingsFull verdict →