ChurchTrac vs Planning Center
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Affordable church management.
Modular church management software.
The verdict
Both ChurchTrac and Planning Center are credible faith tech tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
ChurchTrac — Affordable church management.
Planning Center — Modular church management software.
ChurchTrac vs Planning Center: side by side
| Dimension | ChurchTrac | Planning Center |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $6/mo | Free – $14/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Small Churches, Mid Size Churches | Churches, Worship Teams |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
ChurchTrac key facts
- Vendor
- ChurchTrac
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $6/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Small Churches, Mid Size Churches
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2000
- Headquarters
- Naples, FL, USA
Planning Center key facts
- Vendor
- Planning Center
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $14/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Churches, Worship Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2006
- Headquarters
- Carlsbad, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is ChurchTrac better than Planning Center?
Neither is universally better — Planning Center edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is ChurchTrac or Planning Center cheaper?
ChurchTrac is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $6/mo. ChurchTrac starts at free – $6/mo; Planning Center starts at free – $14/mo.
Can ChurchTrac replace Planning Center?
Yes for most teams — both are faith tech tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.