When it comes to church giving platforms, Pushpay is one of the biggest names out there. They market themselves as a premium solution with beautiful giving experiences, fast processing, and engagement tools. But is it really the best choice for your church or nonprofit?
If you’re considering Pushpay — or if you’re already locked into a contract and wondering if it’s worth it — here’s a deep dive into the pros, cons, and real church feedback. (Video review below if you’d rather watch.)
What Pushpay Promises
Pushpay promotes itself as an all-in-one giving and engagement platform. Their core offerings include:
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Online Giving – Credit/debit, ACH, and mobile app giving.
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Custom Mobile App – Designed to connect members with sermons, events, and donations.
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Donor Engagement Tools – Recurring giving, donor insights, and reminders.
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Church Management Integration – Works with platforms like Church Community Builder (CCB) and others.
On the surface, Pushpay looks like the sleek, modern solution every church wants. But the story doesn’t end there.
What Churches Like About Pushpay
There are reasons so many churches use Pushpay:
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Fast Deposits – Funds hit accounts quickly.
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Polished User Experience – Donors appreciate the smooth mobile giving process.
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Increased Recurring Giving – Churches often see an uptick in automated gifts.
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Strong Integrations – Works well with some leading ChMS platforms.
For large churches with thousands of transactions each week, those positives make a difference.
The Common Complaints
This is where reality sets in. Churches have been vocal about the struggles they face with Pushpay:
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High Costs – Many report significantly higher fees compared to competitors.
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Long Contracts – Multi-year commitments make it hard to switch if needs change.
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Non-Customizable Giving Pages – Donation pages feel cookie-cutter and can’t match your branding.
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Aggressive Sales Tactics – Some church leaders have described the sales process as pushy or relentless.
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Customer Service Frustrations – Response times and resolution speed can be hit or miss.
For small to medium-sized churches, these pain points often outweigh the benefits.
Is Pushpay Worth It?
Pushpay delivers a strong giving experience, but at a premium price. If your church is large, fast-growing, and wants a polished app, it could be a good fit. But if you’re budget-conscious, want customization, or prefer flexible contracts, you’ll likely find better options elsewhere.
My advice? Read the fine print. Pricing and contracts vary widely, and what seems like a “must-have” tool can quickly become an expensive burden if it doesn’t fit your church’s real needs.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Pushpay is a big player for a reason. It works — but it isn’t for everyone. For many churches, a more affordable giving solution with transparent pricing and greater flexibility may be the smarter long-term 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 Pushpay 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 Pushpay for your specific situation. Use of any software is at your own risk.
