Which Church Management System is best for my church?

Planning Center and Breeze are the big players for church management software, but are they the right system for your church? Here we compare them with the Church Admin plugin

Feature / FactorPremium Church Admin PluginPlanning CenterBreeze (by Tithe.ly)
PlatformWordPress plugin (you control hosting & data)Cloud platform (SaaS)Cloud platform (SaaS)
Pricing ModelOne-time or subscription; affordable tiers for small churchesPay per module (cost adds up as you grow)Flat monthly fee (all features, unlimited users)
Cost ExampleFrom $99/year (lifetime $175)$14–$199 per module per month$72/month flat
Best ForChurches already using WordPress; those wanting affordable, flexible, local-control solutionMedium-large US churches wanting modular control & ecosystemSmall-medium churches wanting all-in-one simplicity (but paying flat fee)
Giving / Donations✅ Built-in (with UK Gift Aid support)Requires “Giving” module (extra cost)Built-in
Volunteer Scheduling✅ IncludedRequires “Services” module (extra cost)Included
Event / Group Management✅ IncludedRequires “Groups” & “Calendar” modules (extra cost)Included
Mobile AccessMobile-friendly web + companion appChurch Center app (very polished)Breeze app (iOS/Android)
Data Control & PrivacyYou host your own data (GDPR-friendly; works worldwide)Data stored on Planning Center’s servers (US)Data stored on Breeze’s servers (US)
Migration / SetupQuick import from spreadsheets / WP users; simple setupMigration guides + some support (may be complex)Free data import offered
SupportDirect developer support + community.
Fast turnaround for issues (usually within 24hrs)
Large support teamLarge support team

Why Churches Choose Church Admin Plugin

  • Affordable: At a fraction of the cost, you keep your budget for ministry, not admin software.
  • Data Control: Your church’s data stays on your server — ideal for GDPR compliance and privacy concerns.
  • All-in-One (No Hidden Costs): Features like volunteer scheduling, groups, and giving are included, not add-ons that inflate the price.
  • Tailored for UK / Europe (and beyond): Features like Gift Aid make it more practical for non-US churches.
  • Flexible Licences: Lifetime licence available (no recurring bills).

Free

People & family records

Sermon podcasting

Calendar

Small Churches

Upto 50 people

All the free modules

Add communication tools

Rotas

Online Giving

Our Church App

See all the features

$50 per year

Bigger Churches

All the free modules

Add communication tools

Rotas

Online Giving

Our Church App

See all the features

$99 per year