Tithe.ly vs Pushpay — 2025 Giving Platform Comparison
Both are leading church giving platforms — but they're built for very different church sizes and budgets. Here's an honest breakdown so you can make the right call.
Tithe.ly
Best for Mid-Size ChurchesBetter value for churches under 1,000
Free → $14/mo ChMS → $99/mo App
Pushpay
Best for Large ChurchesBetter for high-volume giving at scale
Custom (typically $300+/mo)
Pricing Comparison
This is where the two platforms diverge most dramatically:
| Cost Category | Tithe.ly | Pushpay |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly platform fee | $0 (giving) / $14 (ChMS) | $300–$1,000+ (custom) |
| Card transaction fee | 2.9% + $0.30 | ~2–2.5% (negotiated) |
| ACH transaction fee | 1% + $0.30 | Negotiated |
| Custom branded app | $99/month | Included in contract |
| Free to start | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Annual contract required | No | Yes (typically 1–2 years) |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Tithe.ly | Pushpay |
|---|---|---|
| Online Giving | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Text-to-Give | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom Branded App | ✅ ($99/mo) | ✅ (included) |
| ChMS Included | ✅ ($14/mo) | ✅ (via CCB) |
| Giving Analytics | Good | Enterprise-grade |
| Dedicated Account Manager | On higher plans | ✅ Standard |
| Multi-Campus | Supported | ✅ Strong |
| Kiosk Giving | ✅ | ✅ |
When Tithe.ly Is the Right Choice
- Your church is under 1,000 members and giving volume is under $1M annually
- You want to start with free giving tools and scale up gradually
- You want a custom church app at an accessible price ($99/month)
- You prefer month-to-month flexibility without long contract commitments
- You're a first-time digital giving adopter who needs easy onboarding
When Pushpay Is the Right Choice
- Your church processes $1M+ annually in giving
- You need enterprise-grade analytics and dedicated account support
- You're a megachurch or multi-campus church needing centralized control
- You want the full Pushpay + CCB integrated stack for giving + ChMS
- You're willing to commit to a contract in exchange for lower transaction rates
Bottom Line
For most churches reading this page, Tithe.ly is the better choice. It offers excellent giving tools at a fraction of Pushpay's cost, with no long-term contract. Start free, grow as you need to.
Pushpay makes sense if your church is large enough that the contract pricing is justified by volume savings on transaction fees — typically when processing $1M+ annually. At that scale, negotiated rates and dedicated support can save more than the platform fee costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tithe.ly cheaper than Pushpay?
Does Tithe.ly or Pushpay have a better mobile giving experience?
Can you switch from Pushpay to Tithe.ly?
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