Planning Center vs Pushpay: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Planning Center and Pushpay comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Planning Center is our overall pick for nonprofit tools workflows. Pick Pushpay if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Planning Center
Integrated church management software designed to streamline operations and enhance congregant engagement.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Modular church management system with a free core database.
- • Integrates various church functions like people management, giving, and events.
Pushpay
The church engagement platform that grows generosity and deepens connection.
Best for you if:
- • Unifies church giving, management, and engagement into a single platform.
- • Leverages AI and proprietary technology to increase generosity and prevent donation failures.
| At a Glance |  Planning Center |  Pushpay |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | Custom |
Best For | Nonprofit Tools | Nonprofit Tools |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 3.6/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Planning Center or Pushpay?
Choose Planning Center if
Integrated church management software designed to streamline operations and enhance congregant engagement.
- Modular pricing allows churches to pay only for what they need.
- Core 'People' database is always free.
- Seamless integration between all products prevents information siloing.
- You want a free tier before you commit
Choose Pushpay if
The church engagement platform that grows generosity and deepens connection.
- Integrated platform reduces double-entry and streamlines operations.
- Proprietary Everygift technology helps recover missed donations and increase giving.
- AI-powered features provide actionable insights into giving trends and member engagement.
| Feature | Planning Center | Pushpay |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 1,574 reviews | ★3.6/5 9 reviews |
| Categories | Nonprofit ToolsVolunteer Management | Nonprofit ToolsFundraising |
In-Depth Analysis
Planning Center
Integrated church management software designed to streamline operations and enhance congregant engagement.
Strengths
- +Modular pricing allows churches to pay only for what they need.
- +Core 'People' database is always free.
- +Seamless integration between all products prevents information siloing.
- +Offers a free mobile app and website for congregant engagement.
- +Provides free and responsive support and training.
Weaknesses
- -Payment processing for donations and registrations incurs additional fees from Stripe.
- -Pricing for some modules scales with usage (e.g., number of rooms, check-ins, donations, group members, event attendees, team members), which could become costly for larger churches.
- -Requires integration with multiple modules to achieve full functionality, potentially increasing complexity.
Key features
Pushpay
The church engagement platform that grows generosity and deepens connection.
Strengths
- +Integrated platform reduces double-entry and streamlines operations.
- +Proprietary Everygift technology helps recover missed donations and increase giving.
- +AI-powered features provide actionable insights into giving trends and member engagement.
- +Customizable mobile apps enhance member engagement and communication.
- +Comprehensive ChMS tools support various ministry needs from attendance to facility management.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing details are not transparently listed, requiring a demo request.
- -Extensive feature set might have a learning curve for smaller churches.
- -Reliance on a single vendor for multiple critical church functions could be a risk.
Key features
Pricing: Planning Center vs Pushpay
| Plan | Planning Center | Pushpay |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 People | Contact us Giving - Core |
| Tier 2 | $0 Rooms (Unlimited Events) | Contact us Giving - Advanced |
| Tier 3 | $0 Daily Check-Ins | Contact us Giving - Complete |
| Tier 4 | $0 Monthly Donations | Contact us ChMS - Core |
| Tier 5 | $0 Group Members | Contact us ChMS - Advanced |
| Tier 6 | $0 Essential App Management | Contact us ChMS - Complete |
| Tier 7 | $0 Event Attendees | Contact us ChurchStaq - Core |
| Tier 8 | $0 Team Members (100MB Storage) | Contact us ChurchStaq - Advanced |
| Tier 9 | $5 Music Stand Add-on | Contact us ChurchStaq - Complete |
| Tier 10 | N/A | Contact us ParishStaq - Giving Apps - Core |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Planning Center pricing and Pushpay pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Planning Center has a free tier. Pushpay is paid only.
Go with: Planning Center
Want the highest-rated option?
Planning Center: 4.6/5 (1,574 reviews). Pushpay: 3.6/5 (9 reviews).
Go with: Planning Center
Value user reviews?
Planning Center: 1,574 reviews (4.6/5). Pushpay: 9 reviews (3.6/5).
Go with: Planning Center
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Planning Center is freemium. Pushpay is paid. Planning Center lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are nonprofit tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Planning Center is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 3.6/5.
Key Takeaways
Planning Center
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 3.6/5
- Larger review base (1,574 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Pushpay
- Choose if you want the church engagement platform that grows generosity and deepens connection
The Bottom Line
Planning Center is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Planning Center or Pushpay better?
Planning Center is rated in our evaluation. Planning Center is freemium and Pushpay is paid.
What are Planning Center and Pushpay used for?
Planning Center: Integrated church management software designed to streamline operations and enhance congregant engagement.. Pushpay: The church engagement platform that grows generosity and deepens connection..
What does Planning Center cost vs Pushpay?
Planning Center is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Pushpay is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.