The honest answer on price
Every vendor structures pricing differently — per person, per module, flat, or contact sales — which makes comparison painful. Here is a straight answer.
The three pricing models
- Flat monthly — one published price or tier regardless of size; verify any member limits, modules, and current terms.
- Per-person or tiered by size — scales with the people or contacts you track; calculate the current total for your church.
- Per-module (for example Planning Center) — free base, then pay for each product like Giving, Check-Ins, or Services. Flexible, but the total climbs fast.
How to compare current platform prices
- Relius — Free plan, transparent Pro ($60/month or $612/year), and AI ($150/month or $1,530/year) tiers; every tier includes unlimited members. Confirm included workflows on the current pricing page.
- ChurchTrac — review its current plan, member model, included accounting, and support terms.
- Breeze (Tithely) — review its current flat-plan price, limits, and feature inclusions.
- Tithe.ly — review current giving, module, and platform terms for the configuration you need.
- Planning Center — review current per-app pricing and calculate the modules your church would use.
- Pushpay and Subsplash — request or verify current pricing for the scope and support level you need.
- ChurchCRM — open-source option; account for hosting, maintenance, and implementation work.
The cost everyone forgets: processing fees
Online and text giving carry processor charges that vary by provider, payment method, and transaction terms. Relius publishes a current 1.3% platform fee; add the configured processor charges and review any donor fee-coverage option.
- Use your own annual giving volume and transaction mix to estimate processor costs.
- Check whether the provider adds fixed charges, platform fees, or optional modules.
Confirm whether donors can cover fees, how that option is presented, and how it appears in reports before treating it as part of the budget.
So what should a church budget?
- Tight budget: compare a Free plan such as Relius with current alternatives, included workflows, and processing terms.
- Want all-in-one plus AI: compare Relius Free, Pro, and AI tiers with the current modules and support offered by alternatives.
- Enterprise giving: request current pricing and implementation terms from the providers under consideration.
Add it up the honest way: subscription plus per-module fees plus processing fees, then weigh that against the hours your staff and volunteers may reclaim from repetitive work.
Frequently asked questions
How much does church management software cost per month?
There is no single monthly price that applies to every church. Compare current Free, flat, per-person, modular, and enterprise plans using your church's member count, required workflows, support needs, and processor terms.
Is there free church management software?
Yes. Relius offers a Free plan with unlimited members. Other providers may offer entry-level or open-source options; compare current support, AI, hosting, module, and usage inclusions before deciding.
What are church giving processing fees?
Processor charges vary by provider and payment method. For Relius, account for the current 1.3% platform fee plus configured processor terms, and confirm whether donor fee coverage is available.
Why is church software pricing so hard to compare?
Vendors use different models — flat, per-person, or per-module — and often quote a base price while charging extra for giving, check-in, or texting. Always total subscription plus modules plus processing.
