Planning Center vs Ministry Order

Planning Center9.4Visit Ministry Order8.7Visit

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

vs

Ministry Order #7 in Church Scheduling Software 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Ministry Order

• Planning Center fits best

  Full-service churches wanting broad coverage

• Ministry Order fits best

  Teams needing timed run sheets and assignments

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Side by side

Feature	Planning Center 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Ministry Order 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.7
Ranking	#1 in Church Scheduling Software	#7 in Church Scheduling Software
Best for	Full-service churches wanting broad coverage	Teams needing timed run sheets and assignments
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$15/unit/mo	$20/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
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, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Phone, Live chat, Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Planning Center 1/5 · Ministry Order 1/5
Volunteer scheduling	✓	✓
Worship service planning	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Room and resource booking	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Ministry calendar	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Recurring events	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Mobile access	Not checked yet	Both
Our review
Pros	Combines scheduling, service planning, membership, events, and check-in Free plan includes membership records, reporting, and Church Center access Web, iOS, and Android apps plus messaging and ministry integrations	Timed run sheets with segments, songs, notes, and personnel Assignments, response tracking, blackout dates, and conflict warnings Web, iOS, and Android access with calendar integration
Cons	Paid features are split across separate product plans Published paid tiers include limits for groups, teams, and check-ins Broad coverage may exceed the needs of churches seeking scheduling alone	No free plan is available Feature breadth is narrower than broader church-management suites The standard plan is limited to 200 users
Our verdict	Planning Center is church management software for churches and ministry organizations that need more than volunteer scheduling. Its connected products cover membership records, group engagement, event registration, attendance, child and… Read the review →	Ministry Order helps churches and ministries build service orders, assign volunteers, and coordinate live services. Leaders can create events, organize teams, manage call times, and share plans through the web dashboard or mobile apps.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Planning Center — where it wins

  • Combines scheduling, service planning, membership, events, and check-in
  • Free plan includes membership records, reporting, and Church Center access
  • Web, iOS, and Android apps plus messaging and ministry integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid features are split across separate product plans
  • Published paid tiers include limits for groups, teams, and check-ins
  • Broad coverage may exceed the needs of churches seeking scheduling alone

• Ministry Order — where it wins

  • Timed run sheets with segments, songs, notes, and personnel
  • Assignments, response tracking, blackout dates, and conflict warnings
  • Web, iOS, and Android access with calendar integration

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Feature breadth is narrower than broader church-management suites
  • The standard plan is limited to 200 users

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

  Broad church operations coverage with modular pricing and useful free tiers.

  Try Planning CenterFull verdict →
• Ministry Order8.7/10 · 30-day trial

  A focused scheduling tool for timed service plans, assignments, and volunteer responses.

  Visit Ministry OrderFull verdict →