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12 Free Planning Center Services Alternatives Ranked by Real Users (2026)

Explore 12 alternatives to Planning Center Services — vetted by our editors with real user reviews, pricing, and feature comparisons.

Best free Planning Center Services alternatives: a side-by-side view

Quick answer

If you only check three Planning Center Services alternatives, make them SimpleChurch CRM, One Church Software and ChurchTrac. SimpleChurch CRM leads with a SpotScore of 8.7 and a 4.25★ rating. See how all 12 compare on score, rating, and price below.

Outgrown Planning Center Services, or never quite settled in? These 12 church management software free alternatives are the strongest alternatives, ranked by SpotScore, which fuses verified user satisfaction with market presence, plus star ratings and pricing. We vet each one. The table below sums them up; the sections after go deeper.

ProductSpotScoreRatingPricingBest for
SimpleChurch CRMEffortless church management for a thriving community.8.7★★★★ 4.25(2)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
One Church SoftwareStreamline your church management with powerful software.8.7★★★★★ 4.74(21)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
ChurchTracStreamline your church operations with ChurchTrac.8.4★★★★★ 4.9(20)Freefrom $4.17/moteams of all sizes
ChurchToolsStreamlining church management for a stronger community.8.3★★★★ 4.4FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
Ministry Scheduler ProStreamline church management and event coordination with ease.8★★★★ 4.38(4)Freefrom $300 One-Time Licenseteams of all sizes
Planning CenterEmpowering churches to focus on ministry, not technology.9.6★★★★★ 4.85(21)FreeFree Trial · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
IconCMOStreamline church operations with ease and security.9.2★★★★★ 4.58(19)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
Elexio CommunityUnleash your church's potential with Elexio Community.9.2★★★★ 4.23(11)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
FlocknoteEffortless church management at your fingertips.9.2★★★★★ 4.76(264)FreeFree Trial · Freemium · Subscription · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
easyTitheStreamline church finances with easyTithe.9.1★★★★★ 4.6(5)FreeFree Trial · Freemium · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
Shelby SystemsEfficiently manage your church with ease.9.1★★★☆☆ 2.9(16)FreeFreemium · Subscription · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
ChurchteamsEmpowering churches to connect and grow.9.1★★★★★ 4.9(46)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes

8.7

SpotScore

SimpleChurch CRM - Church Management Software

SimpleChurch CRM

Effortless church management for a thriving community.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is SimpleChurch CRM?

SimpleChurch is church management software for churches who want to focus on growing and serving their community rather than bogged down in administrative work, technology, and processes. With SimpleChurch user can easily measure the impact, raise money more effectively, connect with members ...

Read more about SimpleChurch CRM
Free Trial

8.7

SpotScore

One Church Software - Church Management Software

One Church Software

Streamline your church management with powerful software.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is One Church Software?

One Church is a state-of-the art church management software designed to make the job of any church administrator easier and more efficient. One Church boasts an easy-to-use interface, custom fields and features designed specifically for church administrators, comprehensive reporting ...

Read more about One Church Software
Free Trial

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Reach in-market buyersRank above rivals2M+ buyers a year

8.4

SpotScore

ChurchTrac - Church Management Software

ChurchTrac

Streamline your church operations with ChurchTrac.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is ChurchTrac?

ChurchTrac is the perfect software for churches, providing them with a modern, streamlined way to manage their operations. Logins for members allow them to update their own profiles, print out giving statements, directories, and more; and text message confirmation and reminders can be set up ...

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Free TrialTry Free →

8.3

SpotScore

ChurchTools - Church Management Software

ChurchTools

Streamlining church management for a stronger community.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.4

Add to compare

What is ChurchTools?

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 makes it easy for pastors, volunteers, and staff to keep track of members, ...

Read more about ChurchTools
Free Trial

8.0

SpotScore

Ministry Scheduler Pro - Church Management Software

Ministry Scheduler Pro

Streamline church management and event coordination with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is Ministry Scheduler Pro?

Ministry Scheduler Pro is an advanced church management solution for helping user effectively track sermons, reservations, events, and other data that needs to be shared with different departments. Includes a powerful database for handling guest information easily, scheduling program with drag ...

Read more about Ministry Scheduler Pro
Free TrialTry Free →·

Ministry Scheduler Pro offers custom pricing plan

9.6

SpotScore

Planning Center - Church Management Software

Planning Center

Empowering churches to focus on ministry, not technology.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is Planning Center?

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 its flexible architecture, The Planning Center enables the church team to ...

Read more about Planning Center
Free Trial·

Planning Center offers custom pricing plan

9.2

SpotScore

IconCMO - Church Management Software

IconCMO

Streamline church operations with ease and security.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is IconCMO?

IconCMO is church management software that helps to manage all the congregation's information in one organized place, including financials and contributions. IconCMO is a software specifically built for churches to adapt to the ever-changing world. For Church staff, volunteers, and members to ...

Read more about IconCMO
Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $36/month when monthly

9.2

SpotScore

Elexio Community - Church Management Software

Elexio Community

Unleash your church's potential with Elexio Community.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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Add to compare

What is Elexio Community?

Elexio Community is a church management software system designed to empower churches to organize, manage and grow their church. In an increasingly complex world, Elexio Community simplifies a church's ministry by providing customized tools, streamlined processes and insightful reports that make ...

Read more about Elexio Community
Free Trial·

Starts from $35.13/User/Month

9.2

SpotScore

Flocknote - Church Management Software

Flocknote

Effortless church management at your fingertips.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is Flocknote?

Flocknote is church management software that makes it simple to communicate with members and non-members, track attendance and participation, send out event reminders, and much more. The app is available for the iPhone and iPad. Setup takes just minutes thanks to embedded imports for services, ...

Read more about Flocknote
Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $8/Month, also offers free forever plan

9.1

SpotScore

easyTithe - Church Management Software

easyTithe

Streamline church finances with easyTithe.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is easyTithe?

easyTithe Church Software manages the flow of money through the church, tracks donations, allows members to fulfill pledges, monitors pledges and donations, tracks member data and many more tasks a church needs to efficiently manage money. It is a cloud based cashless system and web application ...

Read more about easyTithe
Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $49/Month, also offers free forever plan

9.1

SpotScore

Shelby Systems - Church Management Software

Shelby Systems

Efficiently manage your church with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Try for Free

Add to compare

What is Shelby Systems?

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 comprehensive set of reports that can be used for any organization. The church ...

Read more about Shelby Systems

Starts from $39/Month, also offers free forever plan

9.1

SpotScore

Churchteams - Church Management Software

Churchteams

Empowering churches to connect and grow.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is Churchteams?

Churchteams makes church management software that is designed to make it easy for user to run the church and manage members. Its goal is to help churches do more and communicate better. With Churchteams, user can create everything needed: websites, email database, reports, event calendars, ...

Read more about Churchteams
Free Trial·

Starts from $37/Month

What makes each Planning Center Services alternative worth considering

SimpleChurch CRM8.7Best for teams of all sizes

Focus on community growth

Watch for: Limited customization options

One Church Software8.7Best for teams of all sizes

Comprehensive solution that eliminates the need for multiple integrations.

Watch for: Some users find the software's aesthetics lacking.

ChurchTrac8.4Best for teams of all sizes

User-friendly interface

Watch for: Limited advanced features

ChurchTools8.3Best for teams of all sizes

Church management

Watch for: May require training for new users

Ministry Scheduler Pro8Best for teams of all sizes

Event scheduling

Watch for: Steep learning curve

Planning Center9.6Best for teams of all sizes

Easy setup and simple user interface.

Watch for: Mobile app glitches.

IconCMO9.2Best for teams of all sizes

Church management software that requires little training to get started.

Watch for: New users may find the richness of features complex without adequate training or support.

Elexio Community9.2Best for teams of all sizes

Intuitive and user-friendly interface for efficient data management and task tracking.

Watch for: Learning curve for newcomers transitioning to the online version.

Flocknote9.2Best for teams of all sizes

Supports comments on notes and flexible communication via text or email.

Watch for: Mobile app experience needs improvement.

easyTithe9.1Best for teams of all sizes

Tracks donations efficiently

Watch for: Limited reporting capabilities

Shelby Systems9.1Best for teams of all sizes

Integrated modules that work together effectively, allowing for customizable reports which are very helpful.

Watch for: Overly complex features and customizations may pose a challenge for new users without adequate support.

Churchteams9.1Best for teams of all sizes

Cloud-based platform accessible from anywhere, ensuring ease of use and quick access to help.

Watch for: Reports may require improvement for better data analysis.

Why teams look for a Planning Center Services alternative

The reasons to look beyond Planning Center Services are usually practical ones like these:

  • Limited to church management
  • May require internet access
  • Not suitable for non-church organizations

The buyer's checklist for a Planning Center Services alternative

How the 12 church management software free alternatives compare, plainly: 12 offer a free tier; paid plans run $4.17–$300, with ChurchTrac the cheapest entry point; and ChurchTrac is the highest rated at 4.9 across 20 reviews.

How we sort these tools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Stuck on something? We're here to help with all the questions and answers in one place.

The top-rated alternatives to Planning Center Services are ChurchTrac (4.9★), Churchteams (4.9★), Planning Center (4.8★). Compare all 12 alternatives side-by-side above.

When evaluating alternatives to Planning Center Services, prioritize: Worship Planning, Volunteer Management, Members Portal, Membership Management, Member Directory, transparent pricing, free trial availability, and integrations with your existing tools. Use the filters above to compare by feature, budget, and team size.

Planning Center Services starts from $14 /Month. Many alternatives offer similar functionality at different price points — some with free tiers, others with more flexible per-seat pricing. Use the filters above to narrow by budget.

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Planning Center Services is integrated into your workflows. Most alternatives offer data export/import tools and dedicated onboarding support. We recommend shortlisting 2–3 options, running a free trial, and checking each vendor's migration guides before committing.

How to find your ideal Planning Center Services alternative

  • On a budget / just exploring: start with a free tier — SimpleChurch CRM, One Church Software and ChurchTrac let you evaluate without paying upfront.
  • If real-user ratings matter most: ChurchTrac has the strongest star rating (4.9★) among the options with verified reviews.
  • Want the safest pick: SimpleChurch CRM has the highest Spotsaas Score (8.7) in this list — a strong default if you're unsure.

Moving your team off Planning Center Services

Easing off Planning Center Services works best when you test before you commit. Export your data, confirm the new tool reads it, and verify your essential features. Pilot the change with a free trial, then roll out fully, keeping Planning Center Services as a fallback until migration ends.

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].