Tithe.ly vs Pushpay
Which church management platform is right for your church? An honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide.
Overview: Tithe.ly vs Pushpay
Tithe.ly and Pushpay are two of the most well-known church giving platforms, but they serve different markets. Tithe.ly aims to make digital giving accessible to churches of all sizes with affordable pricing and a broad feature set. Pushpay positions itself as the premium solution for larger churches that want to maximize their digital giving potential.
The comparison between these platforms comes up frequently because both have strong reputations in church giving. Tithe.ly has grown rapidly by offering a free tier and bundling additional tools. Pushpay has maintained its position by delivering measurable giving growth for its clients and a polished donor experience.
For many churches, the choice between Tithe.ly and Pushpay is essentially about budget versus optimization. Can Pushpay's giving growth justify its premium price, or does Tithe.ly deliver enough capability at a fraction of the cost? This comparison examines that question from multiple angles.
At a Glance
Tithe.ly
All-in-one church platform with strong giving tools
Strengths
- Affordable giving platform with a functional free tier for online donations
- Integrated ecosystem with ChMS, website builder, app builder, and streaming
- Text-to-give, kiosk mode, and multiple giving channels at accessible pricing
- No long-term contracts required for most plans
- Growing platform with regular feature updates and improvements
Weaknesses
- Newer platform with less track record in enterprise environments
- Giving analytics and donor insights are less sophisticated than enterprise solutions
- Individual modules may lack the depth of dedicated single-purpose tools
- Customer support response times can vary during peak periods
Best for small to mid-sized churches wanting comprehensive digital tools at an affordable price, with strong giving as a foundation
Free plan for giving only. Full platform plans from $49-$199/month depending on features. No long-term contract required for most plans.
Pushpay
Enterprise giving and engagement platform for large churches
Strengths
- Enterprise-grade giving platform optimized for maximum donor conversion
- Premium branded church app with professional design and user experience
- Advanced donor analytics, engagement scoring, and giving insights
- Proven track record with mega-churches and multi-site organizations
- Deep integration with Church Community Builder for comprehensive church management
Weaknesses
- Premium pricing that is out of reach for many small and mid-sized churches
- Multi-year contracts reduce flexibility and lock churches in
- Does not include a standalone ChMS (requires CCB for full management)
- Website builder not included, unlike some competitors
Best for large churches and multi-site organizations that prioritize maximizing digital giving revenue and want a premium donor experience
Custom pricing starting around $199/month. Multi-year contracts typical. Sales consultation required for a quote.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
How Tithe.ly and Pushpay compare across key church management categories.
Pushpay's giving experience is highly optimized for donor conversion. Features like pre-filled amounts, instant giving, and smart suggestions are designed to reduce friction and increase digital giving adoption. Tithe.ly offers a solid giving experience with text-to-give, kiosk mode, and mobile giving, but lacks the conversion optimization that Pushpay has refined over years of data-driven development.
Tithe.ly wins decisively on accessibility. Its free giving plan lets any church accept online donations immediately. Paid plans are affordable and do not require long-term contracts. Pushpay's premium pricing and multi-year contracts put it out of reach for many churches. The cost difference between these platforms can be $100-$300+/month.
Pushpay provides sophisticated donor analytics with engagement scoring, giving trend analysis, lapsed donor identification, and predictive insights. These tools help church leaders make data-driven decisions about stewardship strategy. Tithe.ly offers basic giving reports and summaries but lacks the advanced analytical capabilities that justify Pushpay's premium pricing for data-driven churches.
Tithe.ly offers a broader platform that includes ChMS, website builder, app builder, and streaming alongside giving. Pushpay focuses primarily on giving and engagement (the branded app), requiring CCB or another ChMS for church management. If you want a comprehensive platform from one vendor, Tithe.ly provides more out of the box.
Both platforms offer church app builders, but Pushpay's apps are considered more polished and professionally designed. Pushpay's app experience feels premium and is a significant selling point for larger churches. Tithe.ly's app builder is capable but does not match Pushpay's level of polish. For churches where app quality is a top priority, Pushpay has the edge.
Tithe.ly operates primarily on month-to-month billing, giving churches flexibility to adjust or cancel as needs change. Pushpay typically requires multi-year commitments, often 2-3 years. This contractual difference is significant for churches uncertain about their long-term technology needs or those that prefer to avoid being locked into a platform.
Our Verdict
Tithe.ly is the better choice for the majority of churches, particularly those with fewer than 1,000 weekly attendees. Its free tier makes digital giving accessible immediately, and its broader platform eliminates the need for multiple subscriptions. The lack of long-term contracts provides peace of mind for budget-conscious church leaders.
Pushpay makes strategic sense for larger churches where digital giving optimization can move the needle on total giving revenue. If your church processes substantial donations and a 10-20% increase in digital giving would exceed Pushpay's cost, the investment can be justified. Pushpay's advanced analytics and premium donor experience are genuinely superior.
The honest assessment is that most churches will be well-served by Tithe.ly. Pushpay's premium features primarily benefit churches with the size and giving volume to leverage them effectively.
Why Consider MosesTab?
Full disclosure: MosesTab is our product. We aim to keep this comparison honest and balanced.
If you want comprehensive giving tools without premium pricing, MosesTab includes online giving alongside 15 other integrated features. It offers the breadth of Tithe.ly with additional capabilities like AI media generation and social media scheduling, all without requiring long-term contracts or enterprise-level budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will switching from Pushpay to Tithe.ly reduce my church's giving?
Some churches report a temporary dip when switching giving platforms as donors adjust to a new system. However, the difference between Tithe.ly and Pushpay's giving experiences has narrowed. Long-term, the savings from Tithe.ly's lower pricing often outweigh any short-term giving adjustment. Communicate the change clearly to your congregation to minimize disruption.
Does Tithe.ly process donations as reliably as Pushpay?
Both platforms are reliable for processing donations. Both use secure payment processing, support ACH and credit card payments, and handle recurring gifts dependably. Processing fees are comparable. The reliability of donation processing is not a significant differentiator between these platforms.
Can Pushpay's giving growth offset its higher price?
For large churches, potentially yes. Pushpay reports that churches on their platform see significant increases in digital giving. If a church processes $50,000+/month in digital giving, even a modest percentage increase could exceed Pushpay's monthly cost. For smaller churches with lower giving volumes, this ROI calculation rarely works out.
Which platform handles text-to-give better?
Tithe.ly pioneered text-to-give and it remains a strong feature. Pushpay also offers text-to-give with a streamlined experience. Both handle it well. Tithe.ly's advantage is that text-to-give is available even on its free plan, while Pushpay includes it only in its paid packages.