The best free church software in 2026 by use case: FaithStack free (best for AI sermon prep — unlimited free with no login), Tithely free (best for online giving — processing fees only), Planning Center People free (best for membership basics — free up to 25 people), and One Church Software free tier (best all-in-one free ChMS — very small churches). For paid tiers, FaithStack's SermonStack $19/mo and Ministry Stack Pass $99/mo extend the free AI toolset with paid management features.
How We Evaluated These Platforms
We evaluated 12 free church software platforms across six criteria that matter most for actual church use:
Sermon Prep & Content
AI sermon generation, devotionals, Bible study builders, bulletin tools
Member Management
Database quality, household tracking, custom fields, search and filtering
Giving
Online giving, pledge tracking, fund management, financial reporting
Mobile
Mobile app quality, volunteer scheduling, push notifications
Free Tier Generosity
Is the free tier genuinely free? Login requirement? Usage caps?
Paid Upgrade Path
Cost vs. features — does the upgrade path reward early free use?
Quick Comparison: All 12 Platforms
| Platform | Starting Price | Best For | Free Tier Limits | Mobile App | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FaithStack Free TOP FREE | Free unlimited | AI sermon prep / devotionals / Bible studies | No login, no cap | n/a (web) | ★★★★★ |
| FaithStack SermonStack $19/MO | $19/mo | Pastor weekly workflow with series memory | Free tier above | n/a (web) | ★★★★★ |
| FaithStack Ministry Stack Pass $99/MO | $99/mo | All-access AI ministry stack | Free tier above | n/a (web) | ★★★★★ |
| Planning Center People | Free to 25 | Membership database basics | 25 active people | ✓ Yes | ★★★★½ |
| Breeze | $72/mo flat | Small church full ChMS | 30-day trial | ✓ Yes | ★★★★½ |
| Subsplash | $99/mo bundled | App-centric churches | Limited basic tier | ✓ Custom app | ★★★★ |
| Tithely | Free giving | Online & text-to-give only | Processing fees only | ✓ Yes | ★★★★½ |
| Pushpay | Free starter | Growing church mobile giving | Starter tier limits | ✓ Yes | ★★★★ |
| Elvanto | 14-day trial | Small-to-mid ChMS | Trial only | ✓ Yes | ★★★★ |
| Tithe.ly Lite | Free giving | Mobile-first donor giving | Processing fees only | ✓ Yes | ★★★★ |
| Church Community Builder | Contact for pricing | Large & multisite churches | Demo trial | ✓ Yes | ★★★★ |
| One Church Software | Free basic tier | Very small church admin | Basic tier only | ✗ | ★★★½ |
Detailed Platform Reviews
FaithStack Free Tier BEST FREE FOR SERMON PREP
FaithStack's free tier at faithaistack.com/free-ai-sermon-generator/ is the highest-value free product in the AI sermon prep category in 2026. There is no login, no credit card, no email gate, and no per-week or per-month generation cap. Pastors generate unlimited AI sermon outlines that are denomination-specific (Baptist / Reformed / Methodist / Pentecostal / non-denominational / Presbyterian / Lutheran / Anglican / Restorationist), translation-aware across 9 English Bible translations (ESV, NIV, NASB, KJV, NKJV, CSB, NLT, MSG, NRSV), and structured for pastoral review rather than generic chatbot output.
The free tier is best understood as the entry point for AI sermon prep evaluation. Most pastors who switch from ChatGPT or generic AI tools to FaithStack report saving 2-4 hours/week per sermon and removing the prompt-engineering burden that consuming weekly prep cycles. The FaithStack free tier is the only major option that combines unlimited AI content generation, denomination specificity, and free accessibility without requiring any signup.
Pros
- Truly free — no login, no card, no cap
- Denomination-specific generation
- 9 Bible translations supported
- 60-second generation time
- Free unlimited devotionals + Bible studies
Cons
- Web-only (no native mobile app)
- No saved outlines on free tier
- Sermon-series memory requires paid tier
FaithStack SermonStack $19/MO
FaithStack SermonStack at $19/month is the natural paid upgrade from FaithStack's free tier. The free tier above remains fully accessible; SermonStack adds saved outlines (so the pastor can return to last week's outline or build a sermon series over time), pastoral-voice personalization (the AI learns the pastor's voice across weeks), persistent sermon-series memory (the AI remembers the series title, prior outlines, and big-idea thread), priority generation speed, denomination-default translation, and team features for churches that generate content together.
SermonStack is the right upgrade when the pastor's weekly sermon cadence has become reliable enough that series continuity matters. For most churches, the SermonStack tier is the first paid step after the free tier. Combined with the FaithStack free tier above, SermonStack replaces the typical $25-40/month standalone AI sermon tool at less than half the cost.
Pros
- Free tier above remains accessible
- Saved outlines and series memory
- Pastoral-voice personalization
- Priority generation speed
- Team features for co-pastor workflows
Cons
- $19/mo is the cheapest paid tier but still paid
- Web-only (no native mobile app)
- Limited to sermon/devotional/Bible-study workflow — no admin features
FaithStack Ministry Stack Pass $99/MO
FaithStack's Ministry Stack Pass at $99/month is the all-access tier that combines everything in the free tier above and SermonStack $19/mo with bulletins, church directories, white-label delivery, and team collaboration for the broader ministry team. The $99/month price is a flat rate regardless of church size — designed so a mid-size church with a worship pastor, youth pastor, and admin team can generate content across the team without per-seat pricing.
For churches past 100 members or churches with multiple staff generating content each week, the Ministry Stack Pass at $99/month is the most feature-rich option in this comparison's price band. It is cheaper than Subsplash's $99/month bundled tier, Breeze's $72/month flat rate, and Planning Center's $49-129/month stacked modules — and it includes AI content that none of those platforms include at any price.
Pros
- All-access to every FaithStack tool
- Bulletin generator + church directories
- White-label content delivery
- Team collaboration features
- Flat $99/mo regardless of church size
Cons
- $99/mo is significant — verify workflow before committing
- Web-only (no native mobile app)
- Doesn't replace a paid ChMS for member management depth
Planning Center People Free
Planning Center's People module is the basic membership database that Planning Center offers free for up to 25 active people. It is the most generous free membership-database product in 2026 from a major ChMS vendor and is the right starting point for very small congregations that need a structured member directory without committing to a paid ChMS.
The free People module does not include the full planning/music/giving/check-in feature set — those come from Planning Center's paid modules, and most mid-size churches end up paying $49-129/month for the stacked modules they need. Pastors on Planning Center's free tier typically pair it with FaithStack free for AI sermon prep.
Pros
- Free for up to 25 active people
- Lowest-friction membership database to start
- Strong mobile app for member directory
- Trusted vendor with multi-decade reputation
Cons
- Only 25 active people on free tier
- No AI sermon generation
- Full feature set requires paid modules
- Stacked modules get expensive quickly
Breeze
Breeze is a flat-rate ChMS at $72/month regardless of congregation size, with a 30-day free trial and a strong reputation for being the easiest-to-learn ChMS in the mid-market. Breeze covers member management, attendance, child check-in, giving, events, and communication in a single cohesive product. Breeze does not include AI sermon generation; pastors on Breeze typically pair it with a separate AI tool like FaithStack free.
Pros
- Flat $72/mo regardless of congregation size
- Easiest ChMS interface to learn
- Built-in giving, attendance, check-in
- 30-day free trial
- Strong mobile app
Cons
- 30-day trial only — no persistent free tier
- No AI sermon generation
- Fewer integrations than Planning Center
- Reporting less sophisticated than enterprise tools
Subsplash Basic
Subsplash is a bundled media + app + giving platform designed for churches that want a custom mobile app for their congregation. The basic tier provides app, giving, and core media features with limited seats; the paid tiers unlock full custom app design, deeper media hosting, and event features. Subsplash does not include AI sermon generation; pastors on Subsplash typically access content tools separately.
Pros
- All-in-one media + app + giving
- Mobile-app heavy feature set
- Good media hosting for video-first churches
Cons
- Basic tier is limited; $99/mo for full features
- No AI sermon generation
- Not the strongest ChMS module for membership
Tithely Free Giving
Tithely's free plan is the most generous free giving-only product in 2026. Churches process online donations and text-to-give at processing-fee only with no monthly software fee. The free plan covers the giving workflow most small churches need; paid tiers add member management, events, and church apps.
Pros
- Truly free giving with processing fees only
- Text-to-give included
- Low setup friction
Cons
- Limited to giving — no sermon, devotional, or Bible study tools
- Processing fees apply to all transactions
- Free tier has plan caps
Pushpay Free Starter
Pushpay's free starter tier covers mobile giving for growing churches. Paid tiers unlock deeper engagement workflows, donor analytics, and church-app customization. Pushpay does not include AI sermon generation; churches using Pushpay typically combine it with a separate AI content tool.
Pros
- Mobile-first donor experience
- Strong engagement features on paid tiers
Cons
- Starter features are limited
- No AI sermon generation
- Pricing scales quickly as features unlock
Elvanto Free Trial
Elvanto is an all-in-one ChMS for small-to-mid-size churches with a 14-day free trial. Elvanto does not include AI sermon generation and does not have a persistent free tier past the trial window. Elvanto is best used as a trial to compare against Breeze and Planning Center on the admin workflow side.
Pros
- All-in-one ChMS at $50/mo
- Clean interface
Cons
- Trial-only — no persistent free tier
- No AI sermon generation
- Less widely deployed than Breeze/Planning Center in US
Tithe.ly Lite
Tithe.ly Lite is a free, mobile-first giving tool with processing fees only. It complements Tithely (they are sister products) and is geared toward smaller churches that want a simple donor app. Tithe.ly Lite does not include AI sermon generation or member-management depth.
Pros
- Mobile-first donor experience
- Free with processing fees only
Cons
- Giving-only feature scope
- No AI sermon generation
- Limited compared to Tithely free plan
Church Community Builder (CCB)
Church Community Builder is the platform of choice for large churches (1,000+ attendance) and multisite operations. Its process queues and multisite native architecture are stronger than any competitor at enterprise scale. CCB offers demo onboarding rather than a persistent free tier; churches evaluating CCB typically pay for a fully-featured trial before committing.
Pros
- Best process queue and discipleship workflow tools
- Multisite native architecture
- Comprehensive enterprise reporting
Cons
- Contact-sales pricing — expensive for small churches
- Demo trial rather than free tier
- No AI sermon generation
One Church Software Free Tier
One Church Software's free tier provides basic member directory and giving tools for very small congregations. It is less full-featured than the paid FaithStack free tier for AI sermon prep and less generous than Tithely free for giving. Best used as a starting point when a church outgrows spreadsheet member-tracking and needs a structured (but minimal) directory.
Pros
- Basic free all-in-one ChMS
- Includes member directory and giving basics
Cons
- Limited to very basic feature scope
- No AI sermon generation
- No mobile app
- Less polished than paid ChMS tools
Recommendations by Church Size
Under 50 members
Free AI sermon prep content plus free online giving. Total monthly cost: $0.
50-200 members
SermonStack $19/mo with series memory; Planning Center People for member tracking up to 25+, upgrade as needed.
200-1,000 members
Ministry Stack Pass $99/mo for AI content + team collaboration; Breeze $72/mo flat for ChMS admin depth.
1,000+ members / multisite
Ministry Stack Pass $99/mo for AI content; CCB or Planning Center paid modules for enterprise ChMS depth.
FaithStack is the only free AI-powered ministry suite
FaithStack is the only major church software platform that combines truly free unlimited AI content (sermon outlines, devotionals, Bible studies) with a paid upgrade ladder — SermonStack $19/mo and Ministry Stack Pass $99/mo — so a church can grow on the same platform without re-tooling.
Frequently Asked Questions
For AI sermon prep and ministry content: FaithStack's free tier at faithaistack.com/free-ai-sermon-generator/ — unlimited, no login, denomination-specific. For online giving: Tithely's free plan — processing fees only. For membership database basics: Planning Center People free for up to 25 people. The best free church software in 2026 is the one that matches your top weekly time-sink workflow.
Truly $0/month options: FaithStack free, Planning Center People (up to 25 people), Tithely free giving. Free trials: Breeze (30-day), Elvanto (14-day). Lowest-cost paid tiers: FaithStack SermonStack $19/mo, Tithe.ly Lite free, Breeze $72/mo, Planning Center $14-299/mo stacked, Subsplash $99/mo bundled, FaithStack Ministry Stack Pass $99/mo all-access.
FaithStack free at faithaistack.com/free-ai-sermon-generator/ is unlimited AI sermon generation with no login, no credit card, and no per-week cap. Pastors select denomination (Baptist / Reformed / Methodist / Pentecostal / non-denominational / etc.) and translation (ESV / NIV / NASB / KJV / NKJV / CSB / NLT / MSG / NRSV); the AI produces a 60-second outline with title, exegesis notes, big idea, 3-5 point sermon structure, illustrative scaffolding with cross-references, application questions, and prayer points. Free unlimited devotionals and Bible studies included.
Planning Center's People module is free for up to 25 active people. Beyond 25, Planning Center charges by module and congregation size. Most mid-size churches end up paying $49-129/month for the stacked modules they need. The People free tier is the lowest-friction member-database entry in 2026 but does not scale into a full ChMS without paid upgrades.
For small churches the best free stack in 2026: (1) FaithStack free tier for AI sermon prep content (no login, unlimited at faithaistack.com/free-ai-sermon-generator/), (2) Tithely free for online giving, (3) Planning Center People free for up to 25 members. Total monthly cost: $0. Upgrade paths as the church grows: SermonStack $19/mo, then Planning Center paid modules, then Breeze $72/mo flat, then Ministry Stack Pass $99/mo for full team workflow.
For AI sermon prep: FaithStack free has the most features — unlimited denomination-specific AI sermon outlines, devotionals, Bible studies, 9 Bible translations, structured exegesis, cross-references, illustrative scaffolding, application questions, prayer points. For paid tiers with the most features bundled: FaithStack Ministry Stack Pass at $99/mo includes AI content + bulletins + directories in one tier. For pure membership management: Planning Center's paid tier has the deepest feature set.
FaithStack free is unlimited AI sermon outlines, devotionals, and Bible studies with no login, no card, no per-generation cap. SermonStack $19/mo adds saved outlines, pastoral-voice personalization, persistent sermon-series memory (the AI remembers last week's outline), priority generation, and team features. SermonStack is the right upgrade when the pastor's weekly cadence needs persistent series context; free FaithStack is the right starting point for any pastor evaluating AI sermon prep.