About Planning Center
Planning Center is a suite of tools designed to help churches plan services, manage people, handle check-ins, track giving, and coordinate volunteers. It's modular — churches can start with one tool and add others as needed. Planning Center Services is the gold standard for worship planning, while Planning Center People powers most mid-to-large church databases.
Current pricing: Free starter — paid plans from $14/mo per module
Common reasons churches look for alternatives: Costs add up with multiple modules. Learning curve for newcomers.
The 6 Best Planning Center Alternatives
Simple, affordable church management software designed for small to mid-size churches.
Pricing:
Flat $72/mo — unlimited people
✓ Flat-rate pricing (no per-person fees)✓ Very easy to use✓ Great customer support
Comprehensive ChMS now part of Pushpay, focused on engagement and discipleship.
Pricing:
Bundled with Pushpay — custom pricing
✓ Strong discipleship tools✓ Great volunteer management✓ Good group management
Budget-friendly church management software with powerful features for small churches.
Pricing:
Starting at $10/mo
✓ Extremely affordable✓ Easy to use✓ Good giving/contribution tools
Flexible church management system with powerful volunteer scheduling and worship planning.
Pricing:
Starting at $50/mo
✓ Strong volunteer management✓ Good API access✓ Flexible forms
Church management and digital ministry platform integrated with Logos Bible Software.
Pricing:
Free basic — paid from $40/mo
✓ Integrated with Logos Bible Software✓ Includes website + app builder✓ Free tier available
Enterprise-grade church management platform with deep financial management tools.
Pricing:
Custom pricing (typically $200–$500+/mo)
✓ Deep financial tools✓ Trusted brand (30+ years)✓ Great for large churches
Quick Pricing Comparison
| Tool |
Starting Price |
Free Tier |
Rating |
Best For |
| Planning Center (current) |
Free starter — paid plans from $14/mo per module |
✓ |
⭐ 4.8 |
Mid-size churches |
| Breeze ChMS |
Flat $72/mo — unlimited people |
— |
⭐ 4.6 |
Small to mid-size churches |
| Church Community Builder |
Bundled with Pushpay — custom pricing |
— |
⭐ 4.3 |
Mid-to-large churches |
| ChurchTrac |
Starting at $10/mo |
— |
⭐ 4.2 |
Very small churches |
| Elvanto |
Starting at $50/mo |
— |
⭐ 4.1 |
Mid-size churches |
| Faithlife Equip (Logos) |
Free basic — paid from $40/mo |
✓ |
⭐ 4.0 |
Logos Bible Software users |
| Realm (ACS Technologies) |
Custom pricing (typically $200–$500+/mo) |
— |
⭐ 4.0 |
Large churches |