Planning Center vs ChurchTools Comparison
Planning Center
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
The Planning Center is a comprehensive, web-based software package designed from the ground up with the specific needs of church leaders in mind. It is so intuitive, churches can be up and running within minutes. With it…
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 leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 35 reviews.
Planning Center vs ChurchTools — at a glance
| Feature | Planning Center | ChurchTools |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 35 | 24 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | 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 | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | GDPR | — |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Planning Center and ChurchTools
- User satisfaction: Planning Center scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Planning Center supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; ChurchTools supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Planning Center 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 streamlined church event and ministry team management.
- You need quick, intuitive setup for church event coordination.
- Your team values seamless integration with other Planning Center tools.
- You want a platform tailored specifically for church leadership needs.
- You require advanced event attendee analytics beyond basic registration.
- Your organization demands highly personalized data fields and customization.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Planning Center 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 | The Planning Center is a comprehensive, web-based software package designed from the ground up with the specific needs of church leaders in mind. It is so intuitive, churches can be up and ... Read More about Planning Center | 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? ↗ | 9.6/10 | 8.3/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Small BusinessMedium Business | — |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Planning Center and ChurchTools Compare on Features?
Total Features | 14 Features | 12 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Planning Center 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 |
|---|---|---|
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Planning Center User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.4 (based on 24 reviews) | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users generally praise the software for its ease of use, quick setup, and integration capabilities, while noting some limitations in mobile app stability and customization. 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 |  NewSpring Church  Stonegate  Fellowship Church | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Videos |  2 Videos |  3 Videos |
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Top Alternatives to Planning Center 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 or ChurchTools?
- Planning Center edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 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 and ChurchTools offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Planning Center and ChurchTools offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Planning Center vs ChurchTools?
- Planning Center starts at Contact for pricing. ChurchTools starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Planning Center?
- Top alternatives to Planning Center include Breeze, 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.