ChurchSoftware.com Groups vs Planning Center
ChurchSoftware.com Groups
churchsoftware.com
Planning Center
planningcenter.comSide by side
| Figure | ChurchSoftware.com Groups | Planning Center |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $25/mo | $15/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 11 |
| Spec score · Church Scheduling Software | 9.1 (#2) | 8.8 (#7) |
| Spec score · Small Group Management Software | 9.1 (#3) | 8.9 (#7) |
| Spec score · Church Background Check Software | 9.1 (#3) | 9.0 (#7) |
| Integrations | The maker describes integrations with Facebook for automated posts and event syncing, and SongSelect and PraiseCharts for worship planning resources. | The integrations directory includes services such as BoxCast, Checkr, Mailchimp, PraiseCharts, SongSelect, Zapier, Clearstream and ProPresenter; most connections are maintained by third parties. |
| Rating on Google Play | No star rating or review count is displayed on the listing. | 4.1 out of 5 from 8,200 reviews |
| Security | The privacy policy says the company uses reasonable security measures and does not guarantee absolute security; it also says it does not sell, trade, or rent users’ personal identification information. | Planning Center states it is SOC 2 Type 2 certified and PCI Level One compliant, encrypts data in transit and at rest, and uses a multilayered backup strategy. |
| Support | The site directs users to email support and says it typically replies within 1–2 business days. | Support is free for customers and noncustomers, with a stated response time of about one business hour Monday through Friday and a weekend crew for emergencies. |
| What it does | ChurchSoftware.com Groups lets churches create and manage small groups, Bible studies, ministries, life groups, volunteer teams and leadership groups. | Planning Center combines church membership data, scheduling, giving, events and communications in connected products. |
Plans
ChurchSoftware.com Groups
- Your Church PlanFree
- Background Checks$10, paid once
- Payroll$25 a month
- Two-way Texting$29 a month
- Church Website$59 a month
- Branded Mobile App$149 a month
- Website & Branded Mobile App Bundle$199 a month
Planning Center
- CalendarFree
- PeopleFree
- ServicesFree
- Services FreeFree
- Services 20$15 a month
- Services 50$32 a month
- Services 150$69 a month
- Services 400$115 a month
- Services 1000$179 a month
- Services$239 a month
In their own words
ChurchSoftware.com Groups
ChurchSoftware.com Groups is a church group-management tool for small groups, Bible studies, ministries, and life groups. Administrators can create groups, assign leaders, add members, and organize groups by age, interest, ministry area, or purpose. Each group can include attendance, event, and note records. Focused group messaging avoids reply-all conversations, while leaders can manage members and follow up with them. The service is available on Android, iOS, and the web. It is included in the maker’s free church plan, which also includes people and volunteer management, online giving, check-in, event registration and forms, a sermon library, mobile access, custom reports, and customer support. The maker says its core platform is free forever for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and offers no trial. Integrations include Facebook for automated posts and event syncing, plus SongSelect and PraiseCharts for worship-planning resources. Support is provided by email, typically within 1–2 business days.
Planning Center
Planning Center is a church ministry platform with products for people management, events, worship planning, donations, groups, and church apps. People centralizes membership information and ministry activity such as attendance, giving, and volunteering. Services supports worship planning, volunteer scheduling, team communication, and rehearsal tools. Other listed capabilities include group management, event registration, child check-in, and SMS messaging. Free plans are listed for Calendar, People, and Services: Calendar includes one room, People has an unlimited database and reporting, and Services includes five team members and 100 MB of storage. The pricing note lists paid access from $5/mo and a 30-day trial; a member limit of 75 is also listed. Services plans include unlimited feature access, teams, service types, and plans, with pricing based on the number of people accessing the system. The Services app supports iOS and Android phones and tablets, but not Windows devices. Integrations include SongSelect, PraiseCharts, Checkr, Mailchimp, Zapier, and third-party tools; an open API is also available. Planning Center states its products suit churches of any size.