Planning Center vs Shelby Systems 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…
Shelby Systems
Starting at $39 /Month
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Shelby is a web-based church management software. Shelby comes with a task and contact manager, donation and tithe tracking, and a searchable database to help user find member information quickly. It also has a comprehen…
Planning Center leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 35 reviews.
Planning Center vs Shelby Systems — at a glance
| Feature | Planning Center | Shelby Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 35 | 25 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $39 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| 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 | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | GDPR | — |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Planning Center and Shelby Systems
- Pricing: Shelby Systems starts at $39 /Month. Planning Center pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Planning Center offers a free trial; Shelby Systems does not.
- User satisfaction: Planning Center scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Planning Center supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Shelby Systems supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Planning Center vs Shelby Systems — 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 |
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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.
Best for medium to large churches needing integrated management and detailed reporting.
- You require seamless integration of multiple church management modules.
- You need comprehensive tracking of member info, attendance, and donations.
- You want customizable reports to analyze church data effectively.
- You are a small church seeking a simple, easy-to-use solution.
- You need extensive third-party app integrations and a modern app ecosystem.
Planning Center: Best for streamlined church event and ministry team management. Shelby Systems: Best for medium to large churches needing integrated management and detailed reporting.
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 | Shelby is a web-based church management software. Shelby comes with a task and contact manager, donation and tithe tracking, and a searchable database to help user find member information ... Read More about Shelby Systems |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Small BusinessMedium Business | Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |  Shelby Systems has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do Planning Center and Shelby Systems Compare on Features?
Total Features | 14 Features | 15 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Planning Center and Shelby Systems 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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Starting From |
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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 | ||
|---|---|---|
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 Buyers appreciate Shelby Systems for its integrated features and strong customer support but note challenges with complexity and limited app integrations. 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 |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  NewSpring Church  Stonegate  Fellowship Church |  Salem  Catholic Diocese of Memphis  Jesus Exalted Word Explained |
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Media and Screenshots
Videos |  2 Videos | No videos available. |
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Top Alternatives to Planning Center and Shelby Systems 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 Shelby Systems?
- Planning Center edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 3.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Planning Center and Shelby Systems offer a free trial?
- Planning Center offers a free trial. Shelby Systems does not.
- What is the starting price of Planning Center vs Shelby Systems?
- Planning Center starts at Contact for pricing. Shelby Systems starts at $39 /Month.
- 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 Shelby Systems?
- Top alternatives to Shelby Systems include Pushpay, TouchPoint Church Management Software, ChurchTools, SimpleChurch CRM, Church Windows.