Planning Center vs Pushpay — 2025 Comparison
Two powerful platforms aimed at different segments of the market. Planning Center is the modular all-in-one for mid-size churches; Pushpay is the enterprise giving powerhouse for large congregations.
Planning Center
Best All-in-OneFrom $0 (free tier)
Volunteer scheduling & service planning
Pushpay
Best for Large ChurchesCustom (contact for pricing)
High-volume giving & enterprise features
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Planning Center | Pushpay |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Modular, per-app pricing | Custom contract pricing |
| Starting Cost | Free (limited) | ~$300+/month (estimated) |
| Target Church Size | Any size (scalable) | 500+ members |
| Volunteer Scheduling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best in class | ⭐⭐⭐ Via CCB |
| Online Giving | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enterprise-grade |
| Custom Mobile App | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (branded) |
| Free Tier | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Multi-Campus | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (stronger) |
| Dedicated Support | Self-serve docs | ✅ Account manager |
| Giving Transaction Fee | 2.3% + $0.30 | ~2–2.5% (negotiated) |
Planning Center Wins When...
- You need the best volunteer and service scheduling system available
- Your budget is limited and you want a free or low-cost entry point
- You want to add modules gradually as your church grows
- Your church is tech-savvy and values flexibility over simplicity
- You prioritize worship team coordination with chord charts and service orders
Pushpay Wins When...
- Your church processes $500K+ annually and needs enterprise giving tools
- You want a fully branded custom mobile app for your congregation
- You have a multi-campus structure needing centralized management
- You need dedicated account management and strategic giving support
- You're already using Church Community Builder (CCB) for member management
Our Verdict
Planning Center is the better choice for the majority of churches — it's flexible, starts free, and its volunteer scheduling tools are unmatched. Pushpay is the better choice for large churches where high-volume giving infrastructure and enterprise support justify the premium cost.
If your church is under 1,000 members and doesn't yet have complex enterprise needs, start with Planning Center. You can always migrate to Pushpay as you grow.