If you've ever tried managing church finances with spreadsheets or generic accounting tools, you know how complicated it can get. Tracking tithes, mission funds, and donations shouldn't feel like solving a puzzle every month. 

The right bookkeeping software changes that by keeping finances organized and transparent while freeing your team to focus on ministry instead of paperwork. 

Before exploring the top 8 software options, let's look at why churches need specialized bookkeeping tools in the first place.

Why Churches Need Specialized Bookkeeping Software

Churches manage tithes and donations that require clear tracking. Unlike business tools, specialized church accounting software supports true financial stewardship and transparency.

Accounting with a Mission in Mind

A church operates with purpose, not profit. Its finances support ministries, community outreach, and charitable goals. Traditional accounting systems categorize transactions by department or product, which rarely fits the way a church manages designated funds. A specialized bookkeeping system allows churches to organize their finances around missions and programs, ensuring every dollar is used as intended and reported correctly.

Fund Tracking and Transparency

Fund accounting is at the heart of church bookkeeping. Donations often come with specific restrictions, and specialized software keeps those funds separate and traceable. This prevents accidental misuse and provides clear accountability to donors and boards. When financial reports show exactly where money was received and how it was spent, it builds confidence among members and leadership alike.

Donor and Member Management

Keeping track of who gives and what they give is as important as recording the transaction itself. Generic accounting platforms rarely include donor management tools, but church-focused systems connect contributions directly to member profiles. They can generate annual giving statements, track pledges, and manage recurring donations in one place. This integration cuts down on manual work and improves record accuracy.

Compliance and Reporting Made Easier

Churches and other nonprofits must follow specific legal and tax rules, including IRS reporting and contribution acknowledgment. Specialized church accounting software simplifies compliance by using nonprofit chart of accounts, automated receipts, and preformatted financial statements. These features save time and reduce the risk of errors during audits or end-of-year reporting.

Efficiency and Peace of Mind

A purpose-built bookkeeping system helps churches run more smoothly. It reduces administrative stress, saves hours of manual entry, and makes financial reviews straightforward. Most importantly, it promotes transparency and trust. When financial data is accurate, accessible, and easy to understand, leaders can spend less time worrying about the books and more time focusing on ministry.

List of 8 Best Bookkeeping Software

Below is a detailed look at the top eight bookkeeping software options for churches, highlighting their key features, pricing, pros and cons, and ideal use cases. 

QuickBooks Online for Nonprofits

QuickBooks Online for Nonprofits stands out as one of the most trusted and comprehensive bookkeeping solutions for churches. It combines strong accounting tools with flexibility, making it suitable for ministries of different sizes. While not built solely for churches, its nonprofit features and integrations make it a dependable choice for managing donations, funds, and reports efficiently.

Key features and benefits:

• Fund and class tracking: Separates ministries, departments, and programs for accurate financial organization.
• Donation management: Records tithes, offerings, and pledges while generating detailed giving summaries.
• Automated bookkeeping: Simplifies recurring transactions, expense tracking, and bank reconciliations to save time.
• Comprehensive reporting: Produces budgets, spending comparisons, and board-ready financial statements.
• Cloud-based collaboration: Allows multiple users to work securely from any location with real-time updates.
• Integration options: Connects easily with payroll services, donation platforms, and other church tools for seamless management.

QuickBooks Online for Nonprofits offers the reliability and depth that many churches need for structured, transparent bookkeeping. It delivers a strong foundation for financial management while maintaining the flexibility to adapt as ministries grow.

Aplos

Aplos is a popular choice for churches that want software built specifically for nonprofit and faith-based financial management. It offers a balance between simplicity and function, making it easier for smaller churches or those without a dedicated accountant to stay organized. Aplos focuses on fund accounting and donor management, two key aspects of church bookkeeping.

Key features and benefits:

• Fund accounting made simple: Tracks restricted and unrestricted funds separately, ensuring every dollar given for a specific purpose stays properly allocated.
• Donation and pledge tracking: Records tithes and offerings, manages recurring donations, and automatically generates contribution statements for donors.
• Custom financial reporting: Creates detailed reports that show where money is being used and how it supports ministry programs.
• Online giving and integration: Connects to donation pages, payment gateways, and bank accounts for easy reconciliation and real-time updates.
• Cloud-based collaboration: Allows multiple users to manage financial records securely from anywhere.

Aplos is designed for churches that want a dedicated, faith-focused accounting tool without technical complexity.

PowerChurch 

PowerChurch is a long-established software platform developed with churches in mind. It combines accounting, membership, and event management features in one system, giving ministries a practical way to manage both people and finances. Its desktop and online versions make it flexible for churches that prefer traditional setups but still want modern access.

Key features and benefits:

• Complete fund accounting: Separates general, mission, and special project funds to maintain proper stewardship and transparency.
• Donation and pledge tracking: Records contributions, generates donor statements, and helps monitor giving trends across different ministries.
• Membership and attendance management: Connects financial records with member data to keep everything organized in one place.
• Budgeting and reporting tools: Produce clear financial summaries, balance sheets, and comparison reports to support leadership decisions.
• Local and online deployment options: Offers both desktop software for on-site use and a web version for cloud access and data sharing.

PowerChurch Plus is well-suited for smaller or traditional churches that prefer a straightforward, church-centered accounting system. It covers the essential bookkeeping needs while offering added tools for congregation and event management.

ChurchTrac

ChurchTrac is an affordable and easy-to-use option designed specifically for small and mid-sized churches that need clear bookkeeping without the complexity of enterprise systems. It brings together accounting, member management, and communication tools in one lightweight platform.

Key features and benefits:

• Simple fund accounting: Tracks tithes, offerings, and designated funds, keeping restricted and general accounts organized.
• Donation management: Records contributions, issues giving statements, and allows quick access to donor histories.
• Built-in budgeting tools: Helps plan ministry expenses and monitor spending against budget goals throughout the year.
• Member and attendance tracking: Integrates financial records with membership data for a complete view of church activity.
• Cloud-based access: Let staff and volunteers work from anywhere while maintaining secure and synchronized data.

ChurchTrac stands out for its simplicity and value. It covers all the essentials of church bookkeeping without requiring accounting expertise, making it a great fit for smaller ministries.

Wave Accounting

Wave Accounting is a free, cloud-based bookkeeping tool that appeals to small churches and ministries looking for essential accounting functions without the cost. While it was designed for small businesses, its straightforward interface and affordability make it a practical entry point for churches with limited budgets or simple financial structures.

Key features and benefits:

• No-cost bookkeeping: Provides core accounting features such as income and expense tracking, invoicing, and receipt management at no charge.
• Donation and payment tracking: Allows churches to record tithes, offerings, and other incoming funds with easy-to-use transaction tools.
• Bank connections: Syncs with bank accounts to automate transaction imports and simplify reconciliations.
• Financial reports: Generates basic balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow summaries for leadership review.
• Integration with Teachfloor: Works seamlessly with Teachfloor for payment and invoicing, enabling churches to link learning or event-based payments directly to their accounting records.

Wave Accounting is ideal for small churches that need simple bookkeeping without a financial commitment. Its free access and easy setup make it an attractive starting point, though ministries that require advanced fund accounting or community integration will find Teachfloor a more comprehensive and scalable choice.

Realm Accounting (ACS Technologies)

Realm Accounting by ACS Technologies is a well-established solution created specifically for churches and faith-based organizations. It combines powerful accounting tools with membership and giving management, making it a strong option for churches that want a fully integrated system.

Key features and benefits:

• Comprehensive fund accounting: Keeps restricted and unrestricted funds organized while linking financial data directly to ministries and programs.
• Contribution management: Tracks tithes, pledges, and donations, and automatically updates member giving records.
• Advanced reporting tools: Generate detailed financial statements and contribution summaries that support audits and board reviews.
• Integration with church management: Connects attendance, events, and communication tools with financial records for a complete ministry view.
• Cloud-based and secure: Provides remote access for staff and volunteers with built-in permissions and data protection features.

Realm Accounting is a dependable choice for medium and large churches that want a professional-grade system built for ministry operations. It offers strong accounting functions and deep integration within the ACS ecosystem.

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is a modern accounting platform known for its clean design and straightforward financial tools. While it was created for freelancers and small businesses, many small churches use it for basic bookkeeping and expense tracking because of its simplicity and ease of setup.

Key features and benefits:

• Simple bookkeeping interface: Makes it easy to record transactions, track income, and manage expenses without advanced accounting knowledge.
• Invoice and payment management: Sends professional invoices, tracks payments, and integrates with popular payment processors.
• Expense and receipt tracking: Allows churches to upload receipts, categorize spending, and monitor budget performance.
• Financial reports: Generates profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and spending summaries suitable for leadership meetings.
• Mobile accessibility: Offers a mobile app that lets staff record transactions or review finances on the go.

FreshBooks is ideal for small churches or ministries that need a quick and accessible bookkeeping solution without heavy complexity. It handles the basics well, but it is not designed for multi-fund accounting or nonprofit reporting.

Xero

Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform that offers strong automation, collaboration, and scalability. While not built specifically for churches, its flexibility makes it a dependable option for ministries that need advanced bookkeeping tools.

Key features and benefits:

• Automated bookkeeping: Syncs with bank accounts and automates reconciliations to save time and reduce manual work.
• Fund and project tracking: Uses tracking categories to organize finances across ministries, events, or outreach programs.
• Donation management: Records and categorizes tithes and offerings for accurate reporting.
• Comprehensive financial reports: Produces detailed budgets, statements, and cash flow summaries.
• Team collaboration: Allows multiple users to work securely with permission-based access.
• Wide integrations: Connects with payroll, donation, and expense apps for seamless financial management.

Xero works well for churches that need automation and scalability in their bookkeeping.

Conclusion

As churches grow in size and impact, financial management is only one piece of the administrative puzzle. Equally important is nurturing spiritual growth, community connection, and continuous learning within the congregation. That's where Teachfloor comes in.

Teachfloor is an all-in-one Learning Management System designed to help churches and faith-based organizations create online courses, host Bible studies, and train volunteers, all in one place. It integrates seamlessly with popular bookkeeping tools like QuickBooks Online and Wave Accounting, allowing ministries to connect financial stewardship with education and engagement.

With Teachfloor, churches can:

• Organize online or hybrid classes for members and volunteers.
• Create training programs for ministry leaders and new members.
• Foster community discussions and peer learning.
• Track participation and progress with simple, visual analytics.

By connecting learning and financial management, Teachfloor empowers churches to run more efficiently while keeping their focus on people and purpose.

For ministries that want to simplify administration, strengthen engagement, and build a connected faith community — Teachfloor brings it all together.

Read also: 8 Best CRM Software for Nonprofit Organizations in 2025