Church Management Software Review
When it comes to church management software there’s a ton of different options, some with bells and whistles, some without. Regardless of which software you go with make sure you do a ton of internet research and due diligence. There are many companies that develop software for churches-some have been around for years, some companies are relatively new-whether you go with one of the new kids on the block or with a company that’s been around for a decade it’s all about finding the product that’s the best fit for your organization.
Computers, the internet and smart phones are all things that most modern American consumers are utilizing on a daily basis, and for some people peeling them away from their devices.
Some people are addicted to technology!
Technology’s ubiquity whether you believe it’s better your life or made it worse-is here to stay and will continue to advance. Technology also plays an integral role in business, and for non-profit organizations like churches technology will promote growth, manage your members, retain your visitors and help you facilitate your small groups.
Attention Churches: It’s Time to Get Tech!
Things are changing at an alarming pace, and when it comes to technology as it pertains to your business or your church organization. The way things are progressing with technology there is something new out every week. If you’re considering about getting a church management software of some kind it would probably be a good idea to get something that is constantly updated and has a community of developers or subscribers that you can ask inquire about certain features, upgrades and benefits. Just do a simple search for “church management software” on your favorite search engine and you will find hundreds of companies offering some sort of solution.
Making a Decision
We’ve all been there, wandering the aisles of your local consumer electronics store, like a cat without whiskers trying to make a intelligent decision on which LCD screen to buy for your computer. You ask the pimply faced freshmen with the blue polo and nametag for help but he sounds as lost as you are.
When it comes to church management software there are many decisions that may leave you scratching your head.
If you are having a hard enough time making a decision on which TV to buy for your living room you’re going to be in a serious predicament when trying to make a decision on a church management database for your organization.
Luckily there are many resources on the web and many blogs out there that may help you along the way to making a wise church management database decision. We are going to review the two most popular church management software solutions in the market, and then we’re going to check out a new kid on the block. Hopefully this post will help you with church management software decision, but we recommend that you get out there in your community, maybe call some of other local churches that are within your network and find out what they’re using.
Icon Systems Church Software
Icon systems are creators of the IconCMO and they take church management very seriously. Co-founder and company president Bill Gifford has been involved with church management solutions for almost two decades, and their church management software is probably one of the most popular solutions in the marketplace today.
Icon systems has been around since 1993, and there church management software is currently being used by thousands of churches worldwide and significant market share in the church management software industry, and have developed the one of the few truly web based church management systems in the IconCMO+ solution.
IconCMO is no short-order, there are many bells and whistles with this system, the web-based application has many plug-ins, add-ons and additional features that can integrate almost any facet of your churches organization or to facilitate the streamlining of your administrative or accounting efforts.
IconCMO Pricing
Your Church Size Monthly Payment Annual Price:
| Your Church Size | Monthly Payment | Annual Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 100 families | $30 | $330 |
| 101 – 250 families | $40 | $440 |
| 251 – 500 families | $50 | $550 |
| 501 – 750 families | $60 | $660 |
| Payroll Module (additional) | $10 | $110 |
| more than 750 families | Pricing varies for 750 families+. | |
Bottom Line: If there is a equivalent to Microsoft in the ChMS (church management software) industry, then IconCMO is the SaaS to beat. With their competitive pricing and payroll module that’s available for any of their packages. You should definitely check them out and inquire with other churches that are currently using IconCMO.
Logos CMS
Logos Management Software is another popular ChMS that is not only utilized by churches it’s also used by non-profit organization, schools, and other government entities. Logos has several SaaS products but their flagship product is Logos II Database, which integrates a traditional ChMS with their accounting product to accurately and efficiently track giving and tithing.
Some of the largest churches in the world utilize Logos II Database, including Archdiocese of New York, Grace Community Church, and Cornerstone Church out of Simi Valley, CA. There are some other non-profit organizations that are utilizing Logos.
Some of their core features are:
- Family and individual information with highly flexible profiles
- Track strengths, talents and ministry roles, attendance and more
- Confidential contribution records
- Comprehensive child check-in system
- Fast attendance check-in
- Small group management
- Barcode Scanning
- User Access Controls
Logos Database II also integrates something called PeopleFlow which is a neat little feature within their Database II ChMS solution, on their website it totes that it “one-stop staff and volunteer management system, allowing you to track them from beginning to end; from filling out their application, through submitting background checks, screenings, and other essentials, through to retirement.”.
Bottom line:Strong product offering, competitive pricing. If you’re looking for a general purpose ChMS this would be a contender.
WebChurchConnect’s Church Management Software
WebChurchConnect’s church management software is the NKOTB, although they’ve launched their ChMS recently it’s already gained interest from one of the largest international churches, C3, and is garnering some buzz in the blogosphere. They offer tiered pricing as well, based on member numbers, and they have a SaaS package for almost any size organization.
With other ChMS’s a smaller church may get lost in the shuffle, but due to the fact that they are a growing, and nimble organization their emphasis is customer service and making sure that every organization that makes the decision to use their product-not only gets the top product on the block but they also get top-notch service.
Although they may lack the payroll modules and fancy plugins, taking one look at their user interface it’s apparent that their focus was on minimalism, simplicity and function,
WebChurchConnect's cool looking User Interface!
so if you’re looking for a no-frills, economical yet efficient ChMS then WebChurchConnect is going to be a good bet.
Many ChMS’s will offer a 30 day trial to try their free church software and WebChurchConnect’s trial will give you a taste of the quality of product that is to come.
Bottom line: WebChurchConnect’s software is probably one of the most comprehensive, yet economical ChMS and should be kept on the short-list of ChMS to review and demo.
