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Head-to-head · Church Management Software

Planning Center vs ChurchPlan

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
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
ChurchPlan #21 in Church Management Software 7.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit ChurchPlan

Planning Center leads on 0 checks, ChurchPlan on 0, and 6 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 scorePlanning Center · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Planning Center
  • Most featuresPlanning Center · 5 of 5

Planning Center scores higher on our rubric for church management software: 9.4 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #21.

On mobile app, ChurchPlan gives you Branded where Planning Center offers Vendor.

Planning Center is the better fit for churches wanting broad value and mobile access. ChurchPlan is the better fit for churches needing mobile-first ministry management.

  • Planning Center fits best

    Churches wanting broad value and mobile access

  • ChurchPlan fits best

    Churches needing mobile-first ministry management

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 Planning Center 9.4/10 Visit ↗ ChurchPlan 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 7.3
Ranking #1 in Church Management Software #21 in Church Management Software
Best for Churches wanting broad value and mobile access Churches needing mobile-first ministry management
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $15/unit/mo $99/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Live chat, Community, Docs Email
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, 2FA SOC 2, GDPR, PCI DSS
Integrations 6 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Planning Center 5/5 · ChurchPlan 4/5
Group management ✓ ✓
Event registration ✓ ✓
Child check-in ✓ ✓
SMS messaging ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Volunteer scheduling ✓ ✓
Specs
Member limit 75 members Not checked yet
Mobile app Vendor Branded
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
  • Covers CRM, giving, events, ministries, liturgy, finance, and volunteers
  • Branded mobile app supports congregation-facing access on iOS and Android
  • Diocese Plan provides multi-church management and centralized control
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
  • No free plan; the product is offered as paid software
  • Stripe is the listed integration
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of smaller churches
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 →

ChurchPlan is a church management platform for churches, charitable organizations, and diocesan networks. It brings member and family CRM, donations, tax receipts, events, ticketing, attendance, ministries, curriculum, liturgy scheduling,…

Read the review →
  1. Planning CenterChurch Management Software 9.4Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. ChurchPlanChurch Management Software 7.3Free plan

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

  • ChurchPlan — where it wins

    • Covers CRM, giving, events, ministries, liturgy, finance, and volunteers
    • Branded mobile app supports congregation-facing access on iOS and Android
    • Diocese Plan provides multi-church management and centralized control

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; the product is offered as paid software
    • Stripe is the listed integration
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of smaller churches

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