The best free church management software (and the catch to watch for).

Search for free church management software and you'll find two kinds of free: the 14-day trial dressed up as a plan, and the free tier so stripped down it's really just a demo. Both are fine as far as they go. Neither will actually run your church. So before you sign up for anything, it's worth knowing what free should mean.

What to watch for in a free plan.

• Is it a trial in disguise? A real free plan doesn't expire in 14 days. If there's a countdown, it's a trial.
• Does it charge per member? Per-member pricing punishes you for growing. Watch for caps that quietly force an upgrade the moment you add people.
• What's actually usable? A free tier that hides messaging, the directory, or your website behind a paywall isn't a plan. It's a preview.
• What does giving cost? Free software often makes its money on giving fees. Check the processing rate, not just the sticker price.

Where WayHouse's free plan lands.

WayHouse's free plan is built to actually run a church: up to 100 people, permanently, with no card required and no countdown. You get the member portal, the directory, email to your congregation, events, the prayer wall, sermons, and a public website. Not a preview of those things. Those things. We'd rather earn the right to grow with you than gate the basics.

It has honest limits, and we'll name them: no SMS on the free plan (text costs have no ceiling), no custom domain, and a 100-member cap. When you cross those, paid plans start at $29 a month. But you never have to pay to find out whether WayHouse fits.

If you're comparing options.

If you're weighing the usual names, we've written honestly about where WayHouse fits against them, including where it doesn't yet. Start free, move your people in, and give it a few Sundays before you decide anything.