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Head-to-head · Church Check-In Software

Planning Center vs KidCheck

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Planning Center #1 in Church Check-In Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 6 features Try Planning Center
KidCheck #2 in Church Check-In Software 9.1/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 6 features Visit KidCheck

Planning Center leads on 1 check, KidCheck on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 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 planonly Planning Center
  • Free trialonly Planning Center
  • Most featuresKidCheck · 4 of 6

Planning Center scores higher on our rubric for church check-in software: 9.4 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Planning Center offers free plan; KidCheck doesn't.

Planning Center is the better fit for churches wanting a complete, low-cost platform. KidCheck is the better fit for dedicated, high-control children’s check-in.

  • Planning Center fits best

    Churches wanting a complete, low-cost platform

  • KidCheck fits best

    Dedicated, high-control children’s check-in

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 ↗ KidCheck 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.1
Ranking #1 in Church Check-In Software #2 in Church Check-In Software
Best for Churches wanting a complete, low-cost platform Dedicated, high-control children’s check-in
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $15/unit/mo $25/device/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Live chat, Community, Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Planning Center 0/6 · KidCheck 4/6
Badge printing Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Family linking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Safety alerts Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Digital badges Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Attendance reports Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Multi-site support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Check-in modes Not checked yet Both
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan plus paid products starting at $15 per month
  • Child and family check-in with checkout and security labels
  • Web, iOS, Android, and congregation-facing Church Center experience
  • Multiple mobile and facility-based check-in modes
  • Badges, security codes, guardian receipts, and notifications
  • Attendance, capacity, ratio, visitor, and custom reporting
Cons
  • À la carte pricing can make total costs vary by selected modules
  • The Check-Ins plan includes 30 daily check-ins
  • Broad functionality may exceed the needs of check-in-only teams
  • Starts at $25 per check-in device each month
  • Advanced scheduling and branding require higher plans
  • Integrations focus on selected church management systems
Our verdict

Planning Center is a connected church management suite for churches and ministry organizations that need more than child check-in alone. Its products cover membership records, reporting, groups, attendance, events, payments, custom forms,…

Read the review →

KidCheck is a web-based children’s and youth check-in platform for churches, childcare organizations, fitness clubs, activity centers, and camps. It supports facility-based and mobile check-in through the web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and…

Read the review →
  1. Planning CenterChurch Check-In Software 9.4Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. KidCheckChurch Check-In Software 9.1Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Planning Center — where it wins

    • Free plan plus paid products starting at $15 per month
    • Child and family check-in with checkout and security labels
    • Web, iOS, Android, and congregation-facing Church Center experience

    Where it doesn't

    • À la carte pricing can make total costs vary by selected modules
    • The Check-Ins plan includes 30 daily check-ins
    • Broad functionality may exceed the needs of check-in-only teams

  • KidCheck — where it wins

    • Multiple mobile and facility-based check-in modes
    • Badges, security codes, guardian receipts, and notifications
    • Attendance, capacity, ratio, visitor, and custom reporting

    Where it doesn't

    • Starts at $25 per check-in device each month
    • Advanced scheduling and branding require higher plans
    • Integrations focus on selected church management systems

More comparisons

All church Check-In software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update