How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Planning Center People is the best free starting point, since its people database is free with no member cap.
- ChurchTrac and ChMeetings offer free tiers for small churches, with paid plans as the congregation grows.
- Rock RMS and ChurchCRM are free open-source options, but you host them yourself, so hosting and setup are the real costs.
- Tithe.ly Giving and Givelify offer free online giving, with only per-transaction processing fees.
- Gracely free plan suits very small churches, though it limits admins and monthly emails.
- Free tiers always have limits, so check member caps, feature caps, and processing fees before you commit.
- Note that Breeze, once listed as free, now charges a flat monthly rate, so older free lists that include it are out of date.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Planning Center | Free people database, modular growth | Free | Yes |
 ChurchTrac | All-in-one on a small budget | Free | Yes |
 ChMeetings | Very small congregations | Free | Yes |
 Rock RMS | Open-source power for tech teams | Free | Yes |
 ChurchCRM | Free open-source member records | Free | Yes |
 Tithe.ly | Free online giving | Free | Yes |
 Gracely | Simple free plan for small churches | Free | Yes |
 Givelify | Simple mobile giving | Free | Yes |
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Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Planning Center is the best free starting point for most churches. Its People app, the member database at the center of the system, is free with no member cap. Other modules cover services, check-ins, giving, groups, and calendars, each priced separately from about $15 per month at small scale. A small church can run on People plus the free tier of Services for a small team at no monthly cost, then add paid modules as it grows.
The catch is that costs climb as you add modules, and giving carries processing fees, with card rates lower than many rivals. The full stack also takes time to learn. For a church that wants to start free and grow module by module, Planning Center is the strongest option.
What we like- People app free with no member cap
- Best service planning
- Modular pricing
Watch out for- Costs climb as modules are added
- Giving fees apply
- Learning curve for full stack
#2ChurchTrac
Best for: All-in-one on a small budget4.8/5 on
G2 (12 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit churchtrac.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
ChurchTrac packs people records, giving, check-in, groups, volunteer scheduling, and a basic website into one login. A free tier covers the smallest churches, and paid plans scale with the number of names tracked, starting at a low monthly price. Human support is included, which small churches value when volunteers run the system.
Accounting and enhanced messaging are paid add-ons, so a church that wants both pays more than the base price suggests. The interface is plain compared with newer tools. For a small church that wants one bill and one login, ChurchTrac is strong value.
What we like- Free tier for smallest churches
- All-in-one records, giving, and check-in
- Human support
Watch out for- Accounting and messaging cost extra
- Pricing scales with names
- Interface is plain
#3ChMeetings
Best for: Very small congregations4.9/5 on
G2 (35 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit chmeetings.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
ChMeetings is built for very small congregations. The free plan covers up to 50 members, with people records, groups, attendance, and basic communication. Setup is simple, and paid tiers start at a low monthly price and scale with active members.
The free cap is the main limit, since a growing church will outgrow 50 members fast. Advanced features like deep reporting and accounting are thinner than larger platforms. For a church plant or a congregation under 50 people, ChMeetings is a genuinely free way to get organized.
What we like- Free up to 50 members
- Simple setup
- Affordable paid tiers
Watch out for- 50-member free cap
- Fewer advanced features
- Smaller support team
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Rock RMS is free open-source church management software with very deep features, from people records and groups to check-in, giving, workflows, and communications. Churches with a developer or a tech-capable volunteer can shape it to nearly any need, and the community shares plugins and help.
The real cost is hosting and skill. You run the software on your own server, handle updates and backups, and pay for hosting, which can run from tens to a few hundred dollars a month depending on setup. For churches with technical help and a desire for full control, Rock RMS offers the most power for no license fee.
What we like- Free open-source software
- Very deep features
- Large community
Watch out for- You host it yourself
- Needs technical skill
- Hosting and support cost money
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
ChurchCRM is another free open-source option focused on member records, families, groups, giving, and attendance. It has no license fees and no member caps, which suits small churches that want a simple database without a monthly bill. The project is community maintained and has been around for years.
Like Rock RMS, ChurchCRM is self-hosted, so you need a server and some technical comfort to install and maintain it. The interface looks dated next to modern tools. For a small church with a tech volunteer who wants a free, no-cap database, ChurchCRM is a practical pick.
What we like- Free open source
- Solid member and giving records
- No license fees
Watch out for- Self-hosted
- Dated interface
- Setup needs technical comfort
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Tithe.ly Giving is free to start, with no monthly fee for online giving, and only per-transaction processing fees apply. Churches can accept gifts online and by text quickly, with simple setup and donor pages. Paid tools add church management, a website, and an app as the church grows.
The free part is giving only. Full church management is a paid product, and the standalone app costs extra. Processing fees apply to every gift, as with all giving platforms. For a church that first needs free online giving and may add management later, Tithe.ly is an easy start.
What we like- Giving is free to start
- Low setup effort
- Room to grow into paid tools
Watch out for- Church management is paid
- Processing fees apply
- App costs extra
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Gracely offers a free plan with no member cap, which is rare, though it limits the free plan to a small number of admins and a small monthly email allowance. People records, groups, and basic communication are included, and the interface is simple for volunteers. The paid tier is affordable for a small church.
The free limits matter for active churches, since email caps bind fast if you message the congregation often. Features are fewer than Planning Center or Rock RMS. For a very small church that needs a simple free database, Gracely is worth trying.
What we like- Free plan with no member cap
- Simple interface
- Affordable paid tier
Watch out for- Free plan limits admins and emails
- Fewer features than larger tools
- Smaller vendor
#8Givelify
Best for: Simple mobile giving5.0/5 on
G2 (3 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit givelify.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Givelify offers mobile giving with no monthly fee, so churches pay only processing fees on gifts. Donors give through a simple app, and setup is fast. It suits churches that mainly need an easy way for people to give from a phone during or after services.
Givelify is giving only, not a full management system, so you still need a database elsewhere. Reporting is limited compared with full platforms. For a church that wants free, simple mobile giving alongside another free database tool, Givelify pairs well with Planning Center People or ChurchCRM.
What we like- No monthly fee
- Simple mobile giving
- Fast setup
Watch out for- Giving only, not full management
- Processing fees apply
- Limited reporting
How we chose
We only included tools with a real free tier or free open-source software, and excluded tools that dropped their free plans. We compared member caps, feature limits, hosting needs, and processing fees. We favored tools a small church can actually run at no monthly cost, and noted where paid add-ons change the total. We did not test any tool hands-on.
Buying guide: what to check before you choose
First, count your members and check free caps, since a 50-member cap binds fast for a growing church. Next, decide whether you need giving, check-in, or accounting, since free tiers often cover only one of these well. If you pick open-source software, confirm someone on your team can host and update it, or budget for hosted support. Check processing fees for giving, since a free plan with high fees can cost more than a cheap paid plan. Finally, test with real volunteers, since a tool your team will not open is wasted even when it is free. Ask two or three volunteers to add a family, record attendance, and send a message during the trial, since those everyday tasks reveal more than a feature list ever will.
Frequently asked questions
Is there completely free church management software?
Yes, Planning Center People is free with no member cap, and Rock RMS and ChurchCRM are free open source aside from hosting costs. Most other free plans cap members or features, so check the limits before you commit.
Is Breeze free?
No, Breeze, now part of Tithe.ly, dropped its free option and charges a flat monthly rate after a trial. Older articles that still call Breeze free are out of date.
What does church software cost once you outgrow free?
Paid plans start at low monthly prices for small congregations and scale with members or features. Budget for a real monthly line item once you cross the free tier limits.
Can a small church run entirely on free software?
Yes, a small church can combine a free database like Planning Center People with free giving from Tithe.ly or Givelify. Larger churches usually need paid plans for check-in, accounting, or higher limits.
What about processing fees on free giving?
Free giving plans still charge per-transaction processing fees to the card networks, typically around 2 to 3 percent plus a small fixed fee per gift. Check the rate before you publish your giving page.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.