Overview

Computer Helper Publishing says more than 12,000 churches have used its products and services, serving congregations of all sizes and denominations. Church Windows divides its work into modules, letting a church start with one function rather than buy the full suite. That can keep the initial subscription focused, but it also means a low module count will leave some administrative work outside the system.

Web and Desktop have the same features and functionality. Desktop is installed locally; Web is accessed through a secure remote desktop connection and uses hosting partners including Summit Hosting, Kloud9 IT, and RDI. The choice is therefore about access and deployment, not a different feature set. Churches should confirm their operating-system requirements before choosing: Desktop requires a 64-bit Windows computer, while Mac or Web trial access requires calling the company.

Key features

Membership manages family records and member involvement, while Scheduler tracks calendars, locations, equipment, and event duties. Together they cover member administration and volunteer scheduling, including child check-in as a supported capability. Event registration is not offered, so churches that need registration workflows should look elsewhere.

Donations tracks pledges and giving. Accounting uses fund accounting, with reporting, exporting, and direct imports from Donations and Payroll. Those connections make a multi-module setup more useful to churches that want giving and payroll data to feed accounting without separate direct entry.

Payroll generates checks, reports, and tax forms; federal and state tax tables and forms are regularly updated, and electronic filing is supported through Aatrix. Other listed integrations include Vanco contribution imports, Notebird pastoral care, Constant Contact email and surveys, and KidCheck child safety. Subscriptions include updates and support, with resources, webinars, phone and email help, and training or onboarding varying by support tier.

Pricing

There is no free plan, but Church Windows offers a free working trial. The downloadable trial is Windows-compatible; Mac or Web access to the trial requires a call. Every listed subscription is billed monthly under a 12-month contract, so monthly billing does not mean a month-to-month commitment.

Plan	Price	Best fit
1 module · Standard · Desktop	19.00 USD per month	A church starting with one module and standard support on a compatible Windows computer.
1 module · Deluxe · Desktop	29.00 USD per month	One Desktop module with Deluxe support.
2 modules · Standard · Desktop	39.00 USD per month	Churches needing two functions without moving to Web access.
3 modules · Standard · Desktop	49.00 USD per month	Churches combining three functions with standard support.
1 module · Elite · Desktop	59.00 USD per month	One Desktop module with Elite support.
1 module · Standard · Web	69.00 USD per month	One module with remote access and standard support.
1 module · Deluxe · Web	79.00 USD per month	One Web module with Deluxe support.
2 modules · Standard · Web	89.00 USD per month	Two modules for churches choosing remote access.
3 modules · Standard · Web	99.00 USD per month	Three modules with remote access and standard support.
1 module · Elite · Web	109.00 USD per month	One Web module with Elite support.

The cheaper Desktop plans suit churches that can meet the 64-bit Windows requirement and do not need remote access. Web pricing starts at 69.00 USD per month, but that covers one shareable seat, with only one user accessing the software at a time; each additional concurrent seat costs $50 per month. Since the module and support choices differ across prices, churches should match both to their needs rather than assume the lowest monthly figure includes the full suite. Web customers discontinuing service can have their data made accessible for historical purposes.

Platforms

Church Windows is offered for Web and Desktop, with the product platform listing also including macOS and Windows. Desktop itself requires a 64-bit Windows machine, and current and future versions are limited to 64-bit computers. Web uses a secure remote desktop connection; its privacy is governed by the hosting company. Desktop subscriptions collect no additional information beyond purchase data under the company privacy policy.

Who it's for

Church Windows fits congregations seeking a configurable set of administration modules, particularly those combining membership, scheduling, giving, accounting, or payroll. Its family records and involvement tracking, volunteer scheduling, and child check-in give it practical scope beyond basic directory management. It is a weaker fit for churches needing event registration, a month-to-month commitment, multiple simultaneous Web users at the base price, or a Desktop installation outside 64-bit Windows.

Pros and cons

Pros: Modular plans let churches buy one, two, or three functions rather than take the whole suite.
Pros: Web and Desktop share the same functionality, and Accounting can import directly from Donations and Payroll.
Pros: Payroll includes tax forms and regularly updated tax tables, with Aatrix electronic filing support.
Cons: All listed plans require a 12-month contract, even though they are billed monthly.
Cons: The Web base price allows only one concurrent user; extra concurrent seats add $50 per month.
Cons: Desktop requires 64-bit Windows, and the trial requires a call for Mac or Web access.
Cons: Event registration is not included, limiting its fit for churches that need that workflow.

Alternatives

Choose Church Payroll Software or Church Accounting Software to compare products focused on those specific needs, or Church Management Software for a broader category comparison. Nonprofit Accounting Software is the relevant list when nonprofit accounting is the priority; Church Directory Software suits a directory-led search.

CDM+ is worth considering if broader platform coverage matters: it lists Android, iOS, macOS, Web, Windows, and API support, with CDM+ Essentials at 25.00 USD per month for one program and one user. FlockBase may suit a church prioritizing explicit user allowances, with its Basic plan at 24.00 USD per month for two users and unlimited member names, or Plus at 39.00 USD per month for five users and unlimited member names. For a payroll-focused choice, IconCMO Payroll starts at 40.00 USD per month as an add-on and includes unlimited employees; OnPay is another payroll option at 49.00 USD per month plus $6 per worker per month, with unlimited pay runs and schedules and year-end filings included. Patriot Payroll offers Basic Payroll at 8.50 USD per month for unlimited payrolls, employee and contractor pay, and direct deposit.

ADP Workforce Now, ParishSOFT, and FellowshipOne are alternatives to compare when their distinct product approaches are of interest.

Verdict

Church Windows is a sound choice for a church that wants to assemble core administration functions in modules and values identical Web and Desktop capabilities. Its strongest reason to choose it is the range of connected membership, scheduling, giving, accounting, and payroll work; its clearest reasons to look elsewhere are the year-long commitment, Web seat charges, and strict Desktop requirement.

	Church Windows	Churchteams
Free plan	No	No
Free trial	Yes	Yes
Paid from	$19/mo	$10/mo
Platforms	macOS, Web, Windows	Android, iOS, Web
Free plan	No	No
Paid from	19 /mo
Group management	Yes	Yes
Event registration	No	Yes
Child check-in	Yes	Yes
Volunteer scheduling	Yes	Yes
SMS messaging		Yes
Mobile app		vendor

Church Windows vs Churchteams

Church Windows

Churchteams