When churches look for a management system, Planning Center is often the first name that comes up. It’s sleek, modular, and designed with church workflows in mind. But is it really the best option for your church?
If you’re considering Planning Center — or if you already use it but wonder if you’re paying too much or missing features — here’s a breakdown of what it does well, where it struggles, and whether it’s worth the cost. (Video review below if you’d rather watch.)
What Planning Center Offers
Planning Center is known for its modular approach. Instead of one massive system, you subscribe only to the tools you need. Modules include:
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Planning Center Services – For worship team scheduling, music, and service planning.
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Check-Ins – For children’s ministry and event attendance.
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Giving – Online donations with recurring gift options.
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People – The database at the heart of Planning Center.
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Groups – For small group communication and sign-ups.
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Registrations – For events, camps, and conferences.
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Calendar & Resources – Facility management and event scheduling.
This mix-and-match setup is one of Planning Center’s strongest selling points.
What Churches Like About Planning Center
Churches often rave about:
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Ease of Use – Intuitive design, especially for volunteers.
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Scalability – Works for small churches and megachurches alike.
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Integrations – Plays well with apps like Zoom, Mailchimp, and QuickBooks.
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Worship Planning – Musicians and tech teams say Services is one of the best tools available.
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Transparent Pricing – You only pay for what you need, and prices scale with attendance.
Many churches that switch to Planning Center describe it as a breath of fresh air compared to older, clunky systems.
Common Complaints
But Planning Center isn’t perfect. Churches report some pain points, including:
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Costs Add Up – While individual modules look cheap, using several quickly gets expensive.
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Steep Learning Curve – Staff and volunteers may need time to get comfortable.
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Limited Donor Tools – Giving works fine, but it lacks deep fundraising features.
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Feature Gaps Between Modules – Sometimes you need workarounds to get data flowing smoothly.
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Ongoing Training Needs – Churches often feel they’re underutilizing what they pay for.
So while the software is powerful, it can feel overwhelming if you don’t have a clear system in place.
Is Planning Center Worth It?
For churches that want modern software with flexibility, Planning Center is one of the best options available. It scales well, looks professional, and integrates with other tools.
But remember: it’s not always cheaper. The more modules you need, the closer your bill will look like some of the all-in-one competitors. And if your church doesn’t have someone who loves learning new systems, it can become a headache instead of a help.
Final Thoughts
Planning Center has become a leader for a reason: it’s polished, adaptable, and widely trusted. But like any church software, it’s only as good as the people managing it. If your church wants streamlined operations and is willing to invest time in training, Planning Center is a strong choice.
About the Author
I’m Todd Turner, a digital fundraising consultant with nearly 30 years of experience helping churches and nonprofits raise over $100 million online. I review church software not as a tech critic, but as someone who has worked in the trenches with pastors, executive directors, and development officers.
If you found this review helpful and want more, I cover software reviews, giving strategies, and digital fundraising insights inside my ClickFunding course. For a deeper dive into growing generosity in your church or nonprofit, check out ClickFunding here.
Legal Disclaimer
The information in this review is provided for general educational purposes only. It is based on publicly available information, personal experience, and reports from real users. I am not affiliated with or compensated by Planning Center for this review. Pricing, features, and contract terms may change over time, and churches should always perform their own due diligence before making financial or contractual commitments. I make no guarantees regarding the performance or suitability of Planning Center for your specific situation. Use of any software is at your own risk.
