Getting Started FAQs

Here are some other questions that people sometimes have when getting started with ChurchTrac. Take a look below for answers....or let us know if there's anything else you have questions about!

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I've created my ChurchTrac account...what should I do first?

Add your people. You can do this either manually or let us import data for you. After your names are entered, you can start grouping people based on their groups, roles, ministry needs, etc. Learn more about Importing and Adding Names ›

Now that I've added my people, what should I do next?

Add some more user accounts. Create a new user for other staff members and key leaders or volunteers. ChurchTrac is more than just a church directory or a tool to record charitable contributions. ChurchTrac is a full church management software that acts as the hub of all church communication and management. Learn more about User Accounts ›

Are all the features available to try out during my free trial period?

For the most part, yes. You have access to all the screens in ChurchTrac. The only thing we limit access to are the Voice and Text messaging feature and the Online Giving feature. If you have questions or need to try this out during your trial period, just reach out and we'll be happy to help.

I am coming from a different church management software. What should I expect?

While there's a learning curve with anything new, ChurchTrac is easy to use. If you need some help, our team is standing by. If you have data from your old program, we may be able to help get some of that imported to ChurchTrac for you. We want you to have a great experience with our program, our people, and our company. We're here for you.

I've started a trial. If I decide to purchase, will I still use this same account?

Yes. You can go ahead and enter real data during your trial period. When your trial is over, you'll continue using the same account with the same data that you're using during your free trial. If for some reason you need to wipe the data that you entered during your trial before selecting a plan, just let our support team know.

What does my subscription include?

We offer one all-in-one subscription that includes everything you need for ministry: People Management, Events, Worship Planning/Scheduling, Giving, Accounting, and more. 

How much does it cost to use online giving?

We don't charge anything for online giving; we just provide the portal to help make it happen. With that said, you will need a Stripe account to accept online payments (we can help you with that), and Stripe charges a small fee for each donation received. Stripe's standard rate is 2.9% plus $0.30 for credit transactions, and a flat rate of $0.25 for all ACH transactions. However, non-profits are able to negotiate even lower rates directly with Stripe. Learn more about Online Giving Fees ›

Why does ChurchTrac cost so much less than others? What's the catch?

There's no catch. We're in ministry too, and we wouldn't be able to sleep at night if we overcharged God's church. We want ChurchTrac to be accessible to ministries of all sizes.

Does ChurchTrac provide invoices for payments?

We do not send you invoices for monthly or annual subscription payments. We do email all Admin users when a payment is due, and we email a copy of the payment receipt after each payment is submitted. Payments can easily be submitted by logging in to your ChurchTrac account.

What are Groups and why should I use them?

Groups are the foundation for organizing your people database, knowing their areas of service, and tracking their attendance. We have a whole section in our user guide to help you get started with Groups Learn more about Groups ›

Do you offer a child or nursery check-in feature?

Absolutely. Our online user guide has all the information you need to get going with check-in. Learn more about Check-In ›

Can ChurchTrac send SMS/Text Messages?

Yes. We use a messaging credit system for sending SMS and voice messages. This is one of the few things that we charge extra for and isn't included in the price of your subscription plan. Learn more about Messaging Your Church ›

Can ChurchTrac generate contribution statements for our donors?

Yes, for both the U.S. and Canada. Learn more about Contribution Statements ›

Can the members of the congregation access the software too?

We offer a member access feature with our paid plans. This allows the members of your congregation to log in and view and update their profiles, view their giving history, upcoming events, and more. Learn more about using Church Connect ›

Does ChurchTrac have an open API?

ChurchTrac's API is closed. You can use one of our many integrations offered with MinistrySafe, Stripe, SongSelect, and more.

Does ChurchTrac work on Internet Explorer?

We do not support Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. ChurchTrac is designed to work best on either Chrome Browser or Apple Safari.

What languages does ChurchTrac Support?

ChurchTrac officially supports English and Spanish.