Planning Center vs. ChurchTrac: Software for churches of every size
Over 85,000 customers choose our regular updates, modern design, and flexible system.
"I am a part-time pastor at a tiny church. I wanted to thank you for providing a free level in your pricing and for the incredible People app. I can hardly believe this is free. With becoming a dad, being the sole pastor, and having to be bi-vocational to pay the bills, an app like this is so very helpful in allowing me to work well and efficiently."
What makes Planning Center different than ChurchTrac Online?
Weekly product updates
We listen to our customers’ needs and make ongoing improvements to help your ministry work.
User-friendly design
Our products are easy to navigate so you always have a positive experience.
Multiple products, one flexible system
Do a lot across different products under one roof, but only pay for what your church needs.
Free member database
Comprehensive, actionable reporting with built-in tools for easy follow-up.
PLANNING CENTER VS. CHURCHTRAC
The easy-to-use church management system for churches of every size.
Organize your ministries exactly how your church needs them. Here are some of the highlights.
Features
Custom church app for members
Our app, Church Center, is included free with a subscription to any of our products. Use it to check people in, give online, respond to volunteer requests, and much more.
Engagement reporting
Customize your metrics dashboards to see things like attendance trends and monitor overall giving.
In-app group chat
Accept donations
Accounting and budgeting tools
Integrated products and features
Reach out to people in your church through email, text, and push notifications.
Flexible pricing
Our pricing is based on the products and features you need. ChurchTracs offers a single monthly cost based on your church’s size.
Online forms
Event signups
Integrated communication tools
Reach out to people in your church through email, text, and push notifications.
Customizable check-in labels
Small group management
Free member database
Task management
Central church calendar
Worship integrations
We integrate with MultiTracks, SongSelect, and PraiseCharts.
Musician rehearsal tools
Transpose songs into different keys, watch video tutorials, learn instrument-specific parts, and listen on mobile.
SOC 2 Type 2 certified
The industry-leading standard for information security. See more.
The ease of use is its best feature. Ease in adding people, features, reports, etc. is unmatched in the industry.
5 reasons churches choose Planning Center over ChurchTrac
EASY CHURCH SOFTWARE
Our user-friendly design makes it easy to complete tasks.
Our products are intentionally designed for you to have a smooth and positive experience. We know you have a lot going on, and we believe the tools you use to do it all shouldn’t slow you down.
ChurchTrac’s marketed user interface is outdated and less approachable.
Planning Center Giving is just more accessible in general! It has more options and is easier for people to give from a cleaner interface.
CHURCH MOBILE APP
Connect people together with your custom mobile app.
The Church Center app allows everyone in your church to register for events, donate quickly, chat with fellow team members, and much more.
Church Center is free with any Planning Center subscription and fully integrated into the whole system.
ChurchTrac doesn’t offer a mobile app to help people stay in touch. They only offer an unintegrated web page people have to bookmark.
When it comes to an all-in-one church management software, there is no competition in value and features.
CHURCH MANAGEMENT FOR SMALL CHURCHES
Let your size and needs determine your features.
You can pick what you want to use based on your church’s needs—no matter your size.
Let your ministry determine your subscription
Upgrade for seasonal events
Adjust your plans whenever without fees
Cancel anytime
Sign up to do a lot or just a little. It’s up to you!
Sign Up
CHURCH MEMBER SOFTWARE
A member database for your whole church—completely free.
Our free member database gives you engagement reporting across your whole church.
Track donation history
See small group and event attendance
Create a church directory
Send church-wide communications
Comprehensive, actionable reporting keeps the people in your church from falling through the cracks.
Apply nowWEEKLY PRODUCT UPDATES
Regular improvements to make your ministry work easier.
We’re always making better features that help you more now and as your needs change. We listen hard and put customer feedback directly into our product development.
If that sounds too good to be true, check out our blog to see!
ChurchTrac hasn’t published an update or product improvement in years.
When it comes to an all-in-one church management software, there is no competition in value and features.
Frequently asked questions about Planning Center
You can also reach out to our support team or check out our demos for more info about the product.
Does Planning Center offer a church management app?
We do! Church Center is a customizable app and website experience that’s free and fully integrated with any Planning Center subscription. You can easily build pages for your church’s mobile app and website so people can engage with your content and get involved in your ministries.
We’re a small church. Is Planning Center the best church database software for us?
Yes! Planning Center is a user-friendly product for any church of any size—whether you’re a small neighborhood church, a church with multiple services, or a multi-site megachurch. We scale with your growth because we’re in it for the long haul.
Is Planning Center really an all-in-one church management software?
We sure are! Unlike ChurchTrac, Planning Center offers multiple feature-rich products that integrate into one system. Our products talk to each other, and you can easily toggle between them to complete different tasks and get new insights into your church’s activity.
Is Planning Center’s pricing all-inclusive like ChurchTrac?
Our pricing is customizable based on what your church needs. We don’t want you to pay for anything you’re not going to use! So select only the products you need, adjust your plan level whenever you want, and cancel at any time.
Want to learn more? Watch a system demo!
Here’s a 45-minute overview of our entire system. We also have individual product demos if you want to dive in even deeper.
Talk to support
Access to support is free, even if you’re not a customer yet. We’ll get back to you in ~1 business hour.
Learn moreSee the latest update
We are constantly improving our products. Check out the most recent update to see what’s new!