Planning Center People vs ChurchTools Comparison
Planning Center People
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Planning Center People is church management software for church. It contains the functionality user need to track people and groups, manage offerings, acknowledge attendance, and more. Planning Center People can even hel…
ChurchTools
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
ChurchTools is a comprehensive program for churches that provides powerful tools for worship planning, sermon preparation, stewardship and member management, communication, council and team decision-making. ChurchTools m…
Planning Center People leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 60 reviews.
Planning Center People vs ChurchTools — at a glance
| Feature | Planning Center People | ChurchTools |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 60 | 24 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Church Management Software | Church Management Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | — | — |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Planning Center People and ChurchTools
- Free trial: ChurchTools offers a free trial; Planning Center People does not.
- User satisfaction: Planning Center People scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
- Deployment: Planning Center People supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; ChurchTools supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Planning Center People vs ChurchTools — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Church Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for comprehensive church member and group management with seamless integration.
- You need to track people, groups, and attendance efficiently within a church setting.
- You want to manage offerings and acknowledge contributions seamlessly.
- You require integrated scheduling and field service route planning for ministry teams.
- You are a non-church organization needing general CRM or event management tools.
- You need highly customizable or industry-specific features outside church administration.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Planning Center People typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. ChurchTools tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Planning Center People is church management software for church. It contains the functionality user need to track people and groups, manage offerings, acknowledge attendance, and more. ... Read More about Planning Center People | ChurchTools is a comprehensive program for churches that provides powerful tools for worship planning, sermon preparation, stewardship and member management, communication, council and team ... Read More about ChurchTools |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Planning Center People and ChurchTools Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 12 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Planning Center People and ChurchTools on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
Pricing Option | ||
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Pricing Plans |
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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
|---|---|---|
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Planning Center People User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.4 (based on 24 reviews) | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 47 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 24 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  Stonegate  Fellowship Church  The River Church | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  4 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  3 Videos |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Planning Center People and ChurchTools in 2026
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Planning Center People or ChurchTools?
- Planning Center People edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Planning Center People and ChurchTools offer a free trial?
- ChurchTools offers a free trial. Planning Center People does not.
- What is the starting price of Planning Center People vs ChurchTools?
- Planning Center People starts at Contact for pricing. ChurchTools starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Planning Center People?
- Top alternatives to Planning Center People include Church Community Builder, Pushpay, ChurchTools, Church Windows, One Church Software.
- What are the top alternatives to ChurchTools?
- Top alternatives to ChurchTools include Churchteams, ParishSOFT, SimpleChurch CRM, iKnow Church, Church Windows.