Planning Center

Name: Planning Center
Brand: Planning
Price: 5 USD
Rating: 4.6 (1574 reviews)

Unclaimed

Integrated church management software designed to streamline operations and enhance congregant engagement.

Nonprofit Tools Volunteer Management CRM Productivity

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4.6(1,574 across the web)

FreemiumVisit Website

Reviews onG2CapterraSourceForge

1574 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free plan available, paid tiers above

Biggest pro

Modular pricing allows churches to pay only for what they need.

Biggest con

Payment processing for donations and registrations incurs additional fees from Stripe.

TL;DR - Planning Center

Modular church management system with a free core database.
Integrates various church functions like people management, giving, and events.
Offers tools for both church staff and congregant engagement via mobile app and website.

Pricing: Free plan available

Best for: Growing teams

4.6/5 across review platforms

What is Planning Center?

Editorial review

Planning Center is a comprehensive suite of church management software products designed to help churches of all sizes manage their operations, connect with congregants, and streamline administrative tasks. It features a modular approach, allowing churches to subscribe to specific products based on their needs, with a core free product called 'People' that serves as a shared database for all other applications. The platform aims to provide an integrated system where specialized work can be done without siloing information. It offers tools for managing people, events, giving, groups, check-ins, and services, all accessible through a unified system. For congregants, Planning Center provides a free mobile app and website to engage with ministries, while church staff benefit from efficient behind-the-scenes tools and free support and training.

Available on: Web

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 27, 2026 · how we evaluateSourceplanningcenter.com ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

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.

Cons

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.

Ratings Across the Web

4.6(1,574 reviews)

G2346 reviews

4.7/5

Capterra1,161 reviews

4.7/5

SourceForge67 reviews

4.3/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

People database with profile management, custom reporting, online forms, workflows, and communication toolsEvent management with unlimited events and room/resource tracking (Calendar)Check-in system for attendees with unlimited stations and administrators (Check-Ins)Donation tracking and processing with low fees (Giving)Group management for members and leaders with unlimited groups (Groups)Church Center app and website for congregant engagement, custom pages, sermon notes, and audio/visual channelsRegistration management for events with payment processing (Registrations)Service planning and scheduling for teams (Services)

Pricing Plans

Free Trial

Pricing checked Jun 16, 2026

People

Free

Membership database
Profile management
Custom reporting
Online forms
Workflows
Communication tools

Rooms (Unlimited Events)

Free

Manage unlimited events for free
Priced by the number of rooms you are managing

Daily Check-Ins

Free

Priced by the number of check-ins on your busiest day of the week
Full feature access
Unlimited number of check-in stations
Unlimited administrators

Monthly Donations

Free

Priced by the total number of donations you collect and track each month
Full feature access
Card, ACH transfer, and Apple Pay transactions processed for a low, additional fee by Stripe

Group Members

Free

Priced by the number of members (including leaders) in an active group
Members counted once
Unlimited groups
Unlimited group events

Essential App Management

Free

App setup and management
Home page
Engagement analytics

Event Attendees

Free

Priced by the number of attendees for your largest event
Full feature access
Unlimited number of events
Card and Apple Pay transactions processed for a low, additional fee by Stripe

Team Members (100MB Storage)

Free

Priced by the number of people who access the system in any way
Full feature access
Unlimited number of teams
Unlimited service types
Unlimited plans

Music Stand Add-on

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Reviews

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4.6/5

Across 1,574 verified user reviews on Capterra, G2, SourceForge

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Best Planning Center Alternatives

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BetterImpactPaid

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One Church SoftwarePaid

All-in-one church management software to streamline operations, engage members, and empower volunteers.

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ElvantoPaid

All-in-one cloud-based software to manage church administration, pastoral care, worship, and finances.

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PowerChurchPaid

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

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Planning Center FAQ

How does Planning Center help churches manage their volunteers?

Planning Center provides tools for volunteer management, enabling churches to organize and schedule their teams efficiently. Its integrated system ensures that volunteer information is accessible across different modules, streamlining coordination for services and events.

How does Planning Center's pricing model compare to Pushpay?

Planning Center offers a modular pricing approach where churches pay only for the specific products they use, with a core 'People' database available for free. This contrasts with other solutions that may bundle features differently or have a different base cost structure.

What kind of user benefits most from Planning Center?

Church administrators, ministry leaders, and communication staff benefit most from Planning Center. The platform helps them streamline operations, manage congregant engagement, and coordinate various church activities through an integrated system.

What are the main limitations of Planning Center's pricing structure?

Planning Center's pricing for some modules scales with usage, such as the number of rooms, check-ins, or event attendees, which can lead to increased costs for larger churches. Additionally, payment processing for donations and registrations incurs extra fees through Stripe.

Does Planning Center include a free tier?

Yes, Planning Center includes a free tier, with its core 'People' product serving as a free database for all other applications. Paid plans are available for churches that require more advanced features or higher usage across its various modules.

How does Planning Center integrate different church management functions?

Planning Center integrates various church management functions through a modular suite of products that share a common 'People' database. This design prevents information siloing and allows for seamless coordination across areas like events, giving, groups, and services.

Can congregants use Planning Center to engage with their church?

Yes, congregants can use Planning Center to engage with their church through a free mobile app and website. These tools allow them to connect with ministries and access relevant information provided by the church.

Source: planningcenter.com

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