Empower ChMS review
A practical web-based ChMS for small churches needing core administration.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Empower ChMS is a browser-based church management system from PowerChurch Software. It is aimed at churches and ministries moving from manual records or PowerChurch installations, with tools for people and household records, contribution and pledge tracking, statements, attendance, events, communications, member portals, check-in, and role-based security controls. Its focus suits smaller web-based churches that need core administration without a broader platform footprint.
Pricing is straightforward, with monthly and annual subscriptions plus a 60-day trial. The Monthly plan costs $47 per month and includes unlimited administrator, staff, people, household, contribution, event, check-in, attendance, member portal, email, device, login, and membership records. It also includes 100 free SMS messages per month, two-way SMS messaging, and phone and email support. The Yearly plan costs $499 per year and lists the same capabilities, including the same SMS allowance and support options. There is no perpetual free plan.
The feature set covers many everyday church workflows: email and individual or mass SMS communication, event calendars, event check-in with name-tag printing, contribution statements, attendance tracking, and member portal users. Role-based security controls add administrative access management. Empower ChMS runs on the web and lists PowerChurch Online as its integration, making it a focused choice for churches comfortable with a limited ecosystem. Churches seeking mobile apps, volunteer scheduling, or broader integration options should consider alternatives. Those prioritizing browser access, essential records, giving administration, communications, and a clear subscription structure should find the product a suitable fit.
Empower ChMS pros and cons
- Where it wins
- People, contributions, attendance, events, messaging, and check-in in one system
- Unlimited records across key administrative and membership areas
- 60-day trial with phone and email support on both plans
- Where it doesn't
- Web-only access limits platform flexibility
- PowerChurch Online is the listed integration
- No mobile app or volunteer scheduling is documented
Empower ChMS fact sheet, pricing and score →
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