ChurchTrac

ChurchTrac has served churches since 2002, building a reputation as the budget-conscious choice for congregations needing real church management capabilities without enterprise pricing. The platform covers all core ChMS functions: member database, giving tracking, attendance, groups, and communication. Everything a typical church needs exists within ChurchTrac, making it genuinely complete rather than a stripped-down starter product. Pricing stands as ChurchTrac's primary advantage. Starting under $10/month for small churches and maxing at $50/month for full features, it costs a fraction of competitors. For budget-constrained churches, this accessibility opens professional-grade tools otherwise out of reach. The member database handles typical church needs competently. Track individuals, families, and custom attributes. Filter and search across any field. The interface shows its age compared to newer competitors - functional but not as polished as Breeze or Planning Center. Contribution tracking includes everything churches need: recording donations, tracking pledges, generating giving statements, and reporting for finance committees. Online giving integration adds modern convenience at higher tiers. Check-in works for children's ministry with security codes and name tags. The system handles standard check-in scenarios adequately, though churches with complex requirements may find it limiting. The interface aesthetic reflects ChurchTrac's long history. It's not ugly, but it doesn't match the modern designs of newer competitors. Users accustomed to contemporary web applications may find it dated. However, the functionality beneath the surface remains solid. Long-term stability provides peace of mind. Twenty-plus years of operation suggests ChurchTrac isn't disappearing. For churches tired of switching platforms when startups fail, this longevity matters. Support has earned positive reviews, with staff who understand church contexts rather than generic tech support. Documentation and training resources help new users get productive quickly.

Sign up for a free trial at churchtrac.com to explore the interface before committing. The trial includes full features so you can evaluate whether ChurchTrac fits your needs. Start with member data import. ChurchTrac accepts CSV files from spreadsheets or exports from other church management systems. Clean your data before import - remove obvious duplicates, standardize address formats, and verify email addresses. Configure your organizational structure. Set up membership statuses that match your church's categories. Create groups for ministries, small groups, and Sunday school classes. Add custom fields for tracking church-specific information. Set up contribution tracking with your fund designations. Configure statement formats and fiscal year settings. If using online giving, connect payment processing through ChurchTrac's integration. Explore the check-in system if serving children's ministry. Configure rooms and age groups. Test label printing with your hardware. Train volunteers on the check-in workflow before launching. Add staff users with appropriate permissions. ChurchTrac allows limiting access so financial data remains protected while volunteers can access check-in functions. Utilize ChurchTrac's training resources including video tutorials and documentation. The learning curve is manageable, but investing time in proper setup pays dividends in ongoing efficiency.