Pushpay vs Planning Center: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Pushpay and Planning Center 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: Pushpay is our overall pick for nonprofit tools workflows. Pick Planning Center if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
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.
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.
| At a Glance |  Pushpay |  Planning Center |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Nonprofit Tools | Nonprofit Tools |
Rating | 3.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Pushpay or Planning Center?
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.
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
| Feature | Pushpay | Planning Center |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★3.6/5 9 reviews | ★4.6/5 1,574 reviews |
| Categories | Nonprofit ToolsFundraising | Nonprofit ToolsVolunteer Management |
In-Depth Analysis
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
Value 50/100. Pushpay's pricing structure, with all tiers listed as 'Contact us', makes it impossible to assess fairness or value directly.
Watch out: Transaction processing fees likely extra
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
Value 95/100. Planning Center offers an incredibly generous pricing model, with most core functionalities starting at $0 and scaling based on usage metrics rather than fixed tiers.
Watch out: Stripe fees for donations/events
Pricing: Pushpay vs Planning Center
| Plan | Pushpay | Planning Center |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Contact us Giving - Core | $0 People |
| Tier 2 | Contact us Giving - Advanced | $0 Rooms (Unlimited Events) |
| Tier 3 | Contact us Giving - Complete | $0 Daily Check-Ins |
| Tier 4 | Contact us ChMS - Core | $0 Monthly Donations |
| Tier 5 | Contact us ChMS - Advanced | $0 Group Members |
| Tier 6 | Contact us ChMS - Complete | $0 Essential App Management |
| Tier 7 | Contact us ChurchStaq - Core | $0 Event Attendees |
| Tier 8 | Contact us ChurchStaq - Advanced | $0 Team Members (100MB Storage) |
| Tier 9 | Contact us ChurchStaq - Complete | $5 Music Stand Add-on |
| Tier 10 | Contact us ParishStaq - Giving Apps - Core | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Pushpay pricing and Planning Center 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?
Pushpay: 3.6/5 (9 reviews). Planning Center: 4.6/5 (1,574 reviews).
Go with: Planning Center
Value user reviews?
Pushpay: 9 reviews (3.6/5). Planning Center: 1,574 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Planning Center
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Pushpay is paid. Planning Center is freemium. 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
Pushpay
- Our pick for this comparison
Planning Center
- Has a free tier
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 3.6/5
- Larger review base (1,574 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Pushpay is our pick. Planning Center has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pushpay or Planning Center better?
Pushpay is rated in our evaluation. Pushpay is paid and Planning Center is freemium.
What are Pushpay and Planning Center used for?
Pushpay: The church engagement platform that grows generosity and deepens connection.. Planning Center: Integrated church management software designed to streamline operations and enhance congregant engagement..
What does Pushpay cost vs Planning Center?
Pushpay is a paid tool. Planning Center is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.