Planning Center - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

Reviewers appreciate Planning Center's worship planning capabilities. They find it intuitive to set up services, add teams, and automate scheduling. Users report that the online calendar helps organize times, places, and tasks, while the built-in music database simplifies accessing and modifying songs. They highlight the integration with ProPresenter and the ability to attach files and links. Users feel it enhances communication and reduces printing needs, making worship planning efficient and organized. Of the 38 Planning Center users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Worship Planning, 100% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“The planning of worship is governed by an online calendar which allows the different groups to know the times, the place, the different communities concerned, the tasks distributed, and the one in charge of presiding over the worship...”

Marie J.

CEO

“This is the main reason we purchase this software. Setting up services is super simple, adding teams and items to the plan is very intuitive, and if you want to go more complicated, you can "automate" the scheduling by setting up various elements in the people categories, making sure the software knows when people want to be schedule and when they don't want to be scheduled.”

MH

Mitchell H.

Worship and Families Pastor

Reviewers indicate Planning Center's volunteer management tools are valuable for scheduling and communication. They appreciate the ability to block out dates, track volunteer history, and manage large groups with ease. Users find the system helpful for sending reminders, checking backgrounds, and monitoring participation. They say it simplifies scheduling musicians, technicians, and other roles, ensuring all services are fully staffed and organized. Of the 23 Planning Center users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Volunteer Management, 100% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Users report that Planning Center's mobile access is highly convenient for on-the-go management. They appreciate the ability to view schedules, download chord charts, and practice songs via the app. Reviewers find the mobile and iPad apps useful, though some mention occasional bugs and limitations. They say mobile access encourages active participation and keeps church members connected, allowing them to plan and organize from anywhere. Of the 29 Planning Center users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Mobile Access, 93% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“The app is very convenient and vital for adding different chord charts for rehearsing musician or changing songs out quickly when not at my desk. ”

Jennifer H.

Contemporary Worship Leader

“In this day and age where mobile access is highly desired for most interactions having this feature not only encourages users to be more active but it helps keep church members connected on the go. ”

JR

Justin R.

Church Administrator

Reviewers feel Planning Center's member communication tools are effective for staying in touch with volunteers and congregants. They highlight the integration with MailChimp, built-in emailing, and texting capabilities. Users appreciate the ease of sending mass communications, creating templates, and tracking responses. They mention some limitations with the email system and texting to certain carriers but find the overall communication tools helpful for organizing and coordinating events. Of the 26 Planning Center users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Member Communication, 92% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Reviewers indicate Planning Center's member directory is useful for managing contact information and household data. They appreciate the ability to compile lists, contact members, and update information easily. Users find the search function and self-update capabilities helpful. They mention some challenges with regulating access to information but overall find the directory important for keeping track of members and facilitating communication within the church. Of the 20 Planning Center users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Member Directory, 90% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“member directory offers the ability to have contact information for members of your church and is very useful.”

PW

Patrick W.

Self

“Super easy-to-use search function and ability for members to enter and update their own info is super helpful. ”

Autumn W.

Owner