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Head-to-head · Church Management Software

Planning Center vs ChurchRaise

  • 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
ChurchRaise #2 in Church Management Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit ChurchRaise

Planning Center leads on 0 checks, ChurchRaise 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

Planning Center scores higher on our rubric for church management software: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

On mobile app, Planning Center gives you Vendor where ChurchRaise offers None.

Planning Center is the better fit for churches wanting broad value and mobile access. ChurchRaise is the better fit for budget-conscious churches needing an all-in-one system.

  • Planning Center fits best

    Churches wanting broad value and mobile access

  • ChurchRaise fits best

    Budget-conscious churches needing an all-in-one system

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 ↗ ChurchRaise 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in Church Management Software #2 in Church Management Software
Best for Churches wanting broad value and mobile access Budget-conscious churches needing an all-in-one system
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $15/unit/mo Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Phone, Live chat, Community, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Planning Center 5/5 · ChurchRaise 5/5
Group management ✓ ✓
Event registration ✓ ✓
Child check-in ✓ ✓
SMS messaging ✓ ✓
Volunteer scheduling ✓ ✓
Specs
Member limit 75 members Not checked yet
Mobile app Vendor None
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
  • Free platform includes membership, giving, events, groups, and communications
  • Covers child check-in, volunteers, forms, website tools, and reports
  • Connects with Google Calendar, QuickBooks Online, Stripe, Zapier, and more
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
  • Platform access is listed for the web
  • Terms mention prepaid AI credit purchases
  • It is proprietary rather than open source
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 →

ChurchRaise is a web-based church management platform for churches and ministry teams that want one system for people records, giving, communication, events, groups, attendance, volunteers, forms, websites, and reports. Its people and…

Read the review →
  1. Planning CenterChurch Management Software 9.4Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. ChurchRaiseChurch Management Software 9.3Free 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

  • ChurchRaise — where it wins

    • Free platform includes membership, giving, events, groups, and communications
    • Covers child check-in, volunteers, forms, website tools, and reports
    • Connects with Google Calendar, QuickBooks Online, Stripe, Zapier, and more

    Where it doesn't

    • Platform access is listed for the web
    • Terms mention prepaid AI credit purchases
    • It is proprietary rather than open source

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