The Church Crew vs Planning Center: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between The Church Crew 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
The Church Crew
Simplify church volunteer management with AI-driven scheduling and communication.
Best for you if:
- • You need resource planning features specifically
- • AI-driven volunteer scheduling specifically for churches.
- • Automates communication and reminders to prevent burnout.
Planning Center
Integrated church management software designed to streamline operations and enhance congregant engagement.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need crm features specifically
- • Modular church management system with a free core database.
- • Integrates various church functions like people management, giving, and events.
| At a Glance |  The Church Crew |  Planning Center |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Resource Planning | CRM |
Rating | —/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | The Church Crew | Planning Center |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Resource PlanningVolunteer Management | CRMVolunteer Management |
How The Church Crew and Planning Center Compare
The Church Crew
Simplify church volunteer management with AI-driven scheduling and communication.
Paid
Planning Center
Integrated church management software designed to streamline operations and enhance congregant engagement.
Free tier available
The Church Crew is a resource planning tool. Planning Center is in crm.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Planning Center has a free tier. The Church Crew is paid only.
Go with: Planning Center
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has been rated yet.
Go with: The Church Crew
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: The Church Crew
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
The Church Crew is paid. Planning Center is freemium. Planning Center lets you start free.
What's your use case?
The Church Crew is a resource planning tool. Planning Center is in crm. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
The Church Crew
- Our pick for this comparison
Planning Center
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for crm
The Bottom Line
The Church Crew is our pick. Planning Center has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Church Crew or Planning Center better?
The Church Crew scores high/100 in our evaluation. The Church Crew is paid and Planning Center is freemium.
What are The Church Crew and Planning Center used for?
The Church Crew: Simplify church volunteer management with AI-driven scheduling and communication.. Planning Center: Integrated church management software designed to streamline operations and enhance congregant engagement..
What does The Church Crew cost vs Planning Center?
The Church Crew is a paid tool. Planning Center is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.