ChurchCMS

ChurchCMS is church management software for coordinating member records, attendance, online giving, events, congregation communications, and a church website. Its searchable CRM profiles can include family relationships, giving and attendance history, and messaging; printable QR membership cards are also available. Giving tools handle one-time and recurring donations, donor history, statements, and fundraising campaigns, with Stripe, M-Pesa, Flutterwave, and Paystack support. A branded Android app brings together sermons, events, giving, member messages, prayer requests, and a church calendar. Core modules are exposed through a REST API. The software is released under the MIT open-source license, so churches can use, modify, and share it without a license fee. Self-hosting is free forever and includes all six core modules and the Android app without usage limits. Managed hosting costs $29 per month and includes AWS hosting, daily backups, upgrades, a custom domain, SSL, and email support. The maker describes ChurchCMS as designed for small and medium churches, with no minimum congregation size.

ChurchCMS combines church administration, giving, communications, and a branded Android app. Churches can choose free self-hosting or managed hosting starting at $29 per month.

ChurchCMS is intended for small and medium churches that need tools for members, giving, events, and communications. It offers both self-hosting and managed hosting.

ChurchCMS brings core church operations into one system, from member records and attendance to giving, events, communications, and a church website. It is aimed at small and medium churches that want an open-source option, with a choice between running it themselves and paying for managed hosting. Its strongest advantage is broad functionality without member-based charges; the trade-off is taking responsibility for hosting or adding a recurring bill.

Overview

ChurchCMS is released under the MIT open-source license, so churches can download, use, modify, and share it without a software license fee. The self-hosted plan includes all six core modules and the Android app with no usage limits, and the maker says there are no feature paywalls or per-member charges. Payment providers set their own transaction fees, however, so online giving can still carry costs.

Self-hosting keeps church data on the church’s server, which gives the church control over where its records live while leaving hosting to manage. The maker describes data transmission as SSL-encrypted and passwords as hashed with bcrypt. Managed hosting includes AWS hosting, daily backups, SSL, and uptime and security monitoring.

Key features

Member and ministry records

The searchable CRM links member profiles with family relationships, attendance and giving history, messaging, and printable QR membership cards. This makes ChurchCMS useful as a central directory and engagement record, rather than just a way to store contact details. Group management, child check-in, and volunteer scheduling extend it into routine ministry coordination.

Giving and fundraising

Churches can accept one-time and recurring donations, track donor history, issue giving statements, and run fundraising campaigns. Stripe, M-Pesa, Flutterwave, and Paystack are supported. The range of payment options and giving records makes the system more complete for churches that want administration and donations together, though provider transaction fees still apply.

Communications, events, and mobile

ChurchCMS covers event registration and congregation communications, including SMS messaging. Its branded Android app brings sermons, events, giving, member messaging, prayer requests, and a church calendar to congregants. That is a meaningful extension of the administrative system for churches that want a mobile presence; the listed mobile platform is Android.

API and integrations

A REST API exposes core modules, and the developer page describes connections to payment gateways and third-party tools through that API. Churches with technical capacity can use this to connect their workflows, while organizations seeking a turnkey integration catalog may find the API-centered approach less convenient.

Pricing

Self-Host It Yourself costs $0 forever. It includes all six core modules and the Android app with no usage limits. This is the lowest-cost route for a church able to manage its own server; community support is through GitHub Discussions.

Managed Hosting costs $29 per month and includes AWS hosting, daily backups, upgrades, a custom domain and SSL, and email support. It suits churches that want the software without running their own hosting. Managed Hosting (annual) costs $290 per year, billed yearly with two months free, and includes the same features; it lowers the effective cost for churches prepared to pay annually.

We Install It For You costs $99 one time for installation, configuration, data migration, and admin training. It is a fit for churches that want help getting started but does not include the ongoing hosting package. There is no free trial. None of these plans charges by member count, but payment gateway fees remain set by the providers.

Platforms

ChurchCMS is available on the web and Android, with a REST API and a self-hosted option. Churches choosing self-hosting can keep their data on their own server; churches choosing managed hosting get AWS hosting and included operational services.

Who it's for

ChurchCMS is designed for small and medium churches, with no minimum congregation size. It is a particularly good fit for churches that want member records, giving, events, communications, and a branded Android app together without per-member pricing. Churches without the capacity to manage hosting can use the managed plan, while those that need iOS support or prefer a hosted system at no monthly cost should compare alternatives.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The MIT license and unlimited free self-hosted plan avoid software license and per-member charges, making costs easier to control as a congregation grows.
• Pros: Member management, giving, events, groups, child check-in, volunteer scheduling, and communications sit in one system, reducing the need to piece together core church administration.
• Pros: The Android app includes giving, sermons, events, messaging, prayer requests, and a calendar, giving congregants a branded mobile channel.
• Cons: Self-hosting requires the church to handle its server; managed hosting adds a recurring $29 per month or $290 per year cost.
• Cons: The listed mobile app platform is Android, which may not suit churches that need an iOS app.
• Cons: Free-plan support is community-based through GitHub Discussions; email support and onboarding are included with managed hosting.

Alternatives

Church Management Software is the broader category to browse if ChurchCMS’s hosting model or Android focus does not fit. Church Volunteer Management Software is relevant for churches whose main priority is coordinating volunteers. For a directory-focused shortlist, see Church Directory Software; churches centered on small groups can compare Small Group Management Software, and those organizing activities can browse Church Event Management Software.

ChMeetings is worth comparing for churches that want an iOS option and a free plan capped at 50 people and 50 donations per month. ChurchPlan offers an iOS platform and an Essentials free plan with unlimited members, online giving, automated tax receipts, and a personalized church mobile app, so it may suit churches that prioritize those capabilities. Faith Teams has a free account for up to 100 active people and a free trial; it is a candidate for churches comfortable with that people cap.

Planning Center may suit churches that prefer separate free modules, including People with an unlimited database and reporting, rather than a single all-in-one package. Tithely Giving is an alternative for churches focused on donations, with a free giving plan that has no monthly fee and unlimited donations, though transaction fees apply. Asoriba is another option for churches with 50 members or fewer, which can use its free plan.

Elexio Community uses custom pricing and may be suitable for churches that want pricing based on the space they need. ParishSOFT is another church software option to compare.

Verdict

ChurchCMS is a strong choice for a small or medium church that wants administration, giving, communications, and a branded Android app without per-member fees. Its free self-hosted plan offers the fullest value for churches able to run their own server, while managed hosting provides a clear paid path with backups and support. Look elsewhere if iOS coverage is essential or the church cannot take on self-hosting and wants to avoid a monthly hosting charge.