10 Best Church Check-In Software Solutions in 2025

Having an efficient, secure church check-in system is crucial for any children’s ministry or Sunday school. The right software will streamline your check-ins, keep kids safe, and make life easier for volunteers and parents alike. But with so many options claiming to be the “best,” how do you choose? We’ve done the homework for you by comparing the top child check-in solutions for churches in 2025.

Our goal: help you find the best check-in software for your church’s needs, whether you’re a new church plant on a tight budget or a big ministry focused on security and integration.

Top Church Check-In Solutions at a Glance

• Kidddo – Best Overall for Small Churches: A modern, no-fuss kids’ check-in app built for smaller churches and church plants. Extremely simple setup, affordable pricing, and no extra equipment needed.

• Planning Center Check-Ins – Best for Integrated Ministry: Part of the popular Planning Center suite. Offers free tiers for very small uses and seamless integration with other church management tools.

• Breeze ChMS – All-in-One Simplicity: An easy-to-use church management system (ChMS) that includes check-in. Great if you want an entire church database solution alongside kids’ check-ins, starting at $50/month.

• Brightwheel – Daycare Speciality Option: Originally built for daycares, its basic version works for church nurseries too. Mobile-friendly, but no built-in label printing.

• Procare – Feature-Packed for Big Needs: A powerhouse in childcare management with robust check-in features. Offers extensive functionality like reports and billing but can be overkill and pricey for a church that only needs check-ins.

• FellowshipOne – Best for Large Churches: A comprehensive church management platform known for advanced check-in options such as fingerprint check-ins. Designed for big ministries – powerful but with a steep learning curve and cost.

• ChurchTrac – Most Affordable ChMS: A budget-friendly church management system that includes check-in across all paid plans. Tiered pricing that’s based on the total number of names in your database.

1. Kidddo — Simple, Secure & Built for Small Churches

Kidddo is our top pick for churches that need a straightforward, affordable check-in system without all the bells and whistles. This modern tool was designed with smaller churches and church plants in mind, focusing on the core needs: quick child check-ins, security, and ease of use.

With Kidddo, parents can check in using any existing device and print name tags and pickup codes instantly – no specialized kiosks or expensive hardware required. Volunteers love that there’s almost no learning curve; most churches are up and running in minutes, not days.

• Key Features: Secure, unique pickup codes for each child; real-time attendance tracking; built-in SMS alerts to page parents during service; customizable rooms and tags; cloud-based access from anywhere. Kidddo focuses on simplicity and speed – it does one thing (child check-in) and does it extremely well, without extra clutter.

• Pricing: Just $19/month (or $149/year) for unlimited kids and check-ins. That flat rate is significantly more budget-friendly than many competitors that charge per check-in station or child. There are no hidden fees or long contracts, and a free trial is available.

• Pros: Easiest setup and interface for volunteers; no additional equipment neede); low cost and transparent pricing; excellent for small ministries that can’t afford enterprise systems; over 10 years of providing child check-in software. Users consistently praise Kidddo’s “life-saving” simplicity and security, calling it a “no-brainer” solution for their Sunday mornings.

• Cons: Kidddo is not a full church management suite – it’s purely focused on check-ins. Large multi-campus churches or those wanting integrated modules for donations, or scheduling might find Kidddo too limited.

What people say: Churches across the U.S. are adopting Kidddo as their go-to check-in tool.

“Kidddo has been a Godsend for our ministry. Its simplicity and security features make using it a no-brainer!” - Grace C, a Sunday Program Coordinator

“Kidddo has been a lifesaver for us! Our team loves how quick and easy it is – it’s saved us so much time compared to our old manual process.” Donna C, Children's Ministry Director

Bottom Line: If you’re a small or mid-sized church that wants a secure child check-in system without the headache, Kidddo should be at the top of your list. It delivers all the essential features in a user-friendly package at a fraction of the cost of bigger church management platforms. Just keep in mind it’s focused on check-ins – and excels at it – rather than covering every aspect of church admin.

Ready to simplify check-ins at your church? Try Kidddo free for 30 days and see how easy a Sunday morning can be when your check-in just works!

2. KidCheck — Trusted Name with Advanced Security Features

KidCheck has been a staple in children’s ministry circles for years. Unlike all-in-one church systems, KidCheck specializes exclusively in secure kids’ check-in, and it shows. Many medium and large churches trust KidCheck for its robust feature set and track record in keeping kids safe.

• Key Features: KidCheck allows parents to create and maintain their own accounts with their child’s information and photo, which can save church staff from data entry. Every check-in prints matching child name tags and guardian receipts with unique pickup codes. It even offers optional integrations like live security cameras and emergency text alerts for an extra layer of safety.

• Pros: KidCheck’s security features like photo ID, guardian codes, allergy alerts on badges give parents peace of mind. It’s user-friendly once set up, and it’s a standalone solution – you don’t need to buy a whole church database to use it. The system is also scalable for larger events and multiple check-in stations. Users appreciate reliable performance.

• Cons: Cost can add up for small churches. KidCheck’s pricing is per check-in station – starting around $25/month per station for the basic plan and up to $60/month per station for the premium version. For a church with only one check-in device, that might be fine, but if you need 3-4 stations it becomes quite pricey You’ll also need to invest in some equipment: at least a computer or iPad for each station and label printers. This could be a hurdle for churches on tight budgets or those meeting in portable setups. KidCheck is focused only on children’s check-in – it doesn’t handle adult attendance or broader church management beyond integrating with other systems, so it’s a one-purpose tool.

Bottom Line: KidCheck is an excellent choice if security features are your priority and you’re willing to invest a bit more for them. It’s ideal for churches that want a proven, stand-alone child check-in system and don’t mind managing hardware or paying per station for the added security peace of mind. Smaller churches on a budget might find it expensive.

3. Planning Center Check-Ins — Best Integrated Solution for Church Management

If your church is looking for a check-in system that plugs into a larger ecosystem of church management, Planning Center Check-Ins is a top contender. Planning Center Online (PCO) is a widely used suite of church apps and their Check-Ins module is dedicated to child and volunteer attendance. It’s a favorite of many churches because of its flexibility and integration.

• Key Features: PCO Check-Ins can run on any web-connected device and is designed to print two labels per child. It supports unlimited events and classrooms, and you can use it either as self-service kiosks or staffed stations. It ties into Planning Center People (the database) so attendance data and visitor info flow into your church records in real time. PCO also has a volunteer check-in feature – your scheduled volunteers can check in so you know which helpers are present.

• Pros: Planning Center Check-Ins does have a free offering for up to 10 check-ins per day. After that, pricing is tiered by number of check-ins and other features that you adopt. The system is reliable and battle-tested in churches of all sizes. It can handle dozens of check-in stations if needed. The Planning Center means integrations across managing volunteers or sending mass emails can lead to less duplicate work.

• Cons: Setup and hardware – While not overly complex, Planning Center might require a bit more initial setup than ultra-simple apps like Kidddo. You’ll need to input your people or coordinate with the database. There is some overhead in equipment and training volunteers on the interface. Another consideration: if you only want check-in and don’t plan to use any other Planning Center modules, it might feel like using a small part of a bigger system.

Bottom Line: Planning Center Check-Ins is ideal if you want your check-in system to work hand-in-hand with your other church management tools. It’s feature-rich and grows with you. If you value integration and don’t mind setting up some hardware, PCO Check-Ins offers a mix of flexibility and power.

4. Breeze ChMS — Easy All-in-One Church System

Breeze is often touted as one of the easiest Church Management Systems out there, and it comes with a capable child check-in feature built-in. For many small and mid-sized churches, Breeze hits the sweet spot of offering a bit of everything without being overwhelming – and its check-in functionality is solid for everyday use.

• Key Features: With Breeze, you get unlimited people records and unlimited check-in stations for a flat monthly price. The child check-in module allows you to set up kiosk mode for self check-ins or have volunteers manage check-ins via a dashboard. It prints name tags and lets you design the badge to include info like allergies or room numbers. After check-in, attendance reports are automatically available in the system so you can see which kids attended which class, etc. Because Breeze is a full ChMS, it also links attendance to member profiles for follow-ups.

• Pros: Simplicity and pricing. Breeze costs $50 per month for everything – that includes check-ins plus all other features. There are no contracts or setup fees, making it easy to try. The check-in is straightforward and integrated. Another pro is Breeze’s reputation for being user-friendly; even “non-techy” staff can pick it up quickly. It’s an all-in-one solution that remains approachable.

• Cons: Because Breeze covers many areas of church management, its check-in feature, while good, is not as specialized or advanced in security as dedicated systems like Kidddo. Breeze does provide security codes on check-in labels, but it might lack some niche features like texting parents or photo-ID comparisons. It’s usually sufficient for typical needs, but extremely security-conscious ministries might want more customization. Also, at $50/month, Breeze is more expensive than stand-alone check-in options if all you need is check-in – you’re paying for a full. So if you truly won’t use those extra features, it could be more than you need. Finally, Breeze is best for small-to-medium churches; very large churches may outgrow its feature set or desire more enterprise-level tools.

Bottom Line: Breeze ChMS is a fantastic option for churches that want a simple all-in-one solution. You get a reliable check-in system plus a full suite of church management features for one flat rate. If you’re already thinking about a church database or need to replace spreadsheets and sign-in sheets in multiple areas, Breeze can kill two birds with one stone. It may not have every advanced check-in trick in the book, but it absolutely covers the basics in a user-friendly way.

5. Brightwheel — Check-In App Great for Nurseries & Daycares

Brightwheel is a bit of an “outside the box” pick for churches – it’s actually designed for schools and daycares – but it can be used in a pinch for church nursery or kids ministry check-ins. Brightwheel gained fame after appearing on Shark Tank a few years ago and has since become one of the leading childcare management apps. For a church that maybe has a weekday preschool, Brightwheel is worth a look.

• Key Features: Brightwheel allows parents to digitally sign in/out their children using a secure 4-digit PIN on a shared device or their own phone. Parents can also leave notes at check-in. It’s cloud-based and works on iPads, Android tablets, or computers. One notable difference: Brightwheel does not have built-in label printing for name tags. It’s designed more for daycares where perhaps they don’t need name badges every day. Brightwheel’s strengths are in real-time updates and communication – teachers (or church nursery volunteers) can send parents photos, messages, or emergency alerts through the app. It doubles as a child care daily report tool, which some churches might find overkill, but others might like the engagement.

• Pros: Large userbase of existing clients. Brightwheel’s interface is very modern and friendly. Setup is minimal – you can get going by creating classes and having parents enter their info. Another pro is that because it’s popular outside church, many parents may already be familiar with it. For a simple in-and-out tracking of kids with digital records, Brightwheel gets the job done. It also doesn’t require any special hardware beyond a device; no proprietary kiosk needed.

• Cons: Not church-specific. This means Brightwheel won’t integrate with your church database or attendance records directly. You’d be using it as a standalone tool. The lack of label printing is a deal-breaker for some churches – if your security policy requires name tags and matching pick-up tags, Brightwheel alone won’t handle that. Brightwheel is geared towards weekday childcare operations, so it includes lots of extras you might not need like billing or feeding logs. These can be ignored but the app might feel a tad nursery-school oriented for a Sunday service context. In terms of security, Brightwheel does use PIN codes for pickup, which is good, but it might not satisfy a very high-demand environment where you want physical guardian tags. Their pricing is not easily accessible – with a customized quote provided for every client. Lastly, volunteer management or adult check-in isn’t in scope here – it’s purely about kids.

Bottom Line: Brightwheel can be an attractive option for churches that need a nursery-centric solution. Users report it as being incredibly easy to use. It’s not purpose-built for Sunday check-in security, so you’ll want to evaluate if those trade-offs are acceptable.

6. Procare — Comprehensive Childcare Management

Procare is like the heavyweight champion in the childcare software world. It’s very popular with daycares, large childcare centers, and even some school systems. With that comes powerful check-in/out capabilities – and a lot of other features. For churches that might also run a daycare, or that just want a very robust system and don’t mind complexity, Procare could serve your needs. But it’s probably more than what a typical church strictly requires for Sunday check-ins.

• Key Features: Procare offers both hardware and software solutions for child check-in. They have a desktop software version and a cloud-based version; most churches would opt for the cloud version. It supports QR code or PIN-based check-ins, touchscreen kiosks, and can print name badges. Procare doesn’t stop at check-in: it includes child/family databases, immunization records, billing and invoicing for childcare, meal tracking, etc. – essentially a full childcare administration system. It also has a parent app for digital sign-in and daily reports, similar to Brightwheel. Security-wise, Procare covers the basics with authorized pick-up lists, signature/PIN at check-out, and detailed attendance logs.

• Pros: Extremely feature-rich and customizable. If there’s a particular function you want related to children’s attendance or record-keeping, Procare likely has it. It’s a one-stop-shop for churches that run weekday children’s programs in addition to Sunday services. Having everything under one roof can be convenient. Integration options exist too – for example, some versions of Procare can sync data with other systems. For larger organizations, the reporting in Procare is quite thorough. You won’t outgrow it – it’s used by centers caring for hundreds of children, so a church of any size would find it scalable.

• Cons: Cost and complexity. Procare is one of the pricier options on the market. While they don’t list prices publicly, it’s not unusual for Procare to run hundreds of dollars per year for the cloud version, especially if you have many children or want premium modules. Certain features like integrated payment processing might carry extra costs which are irrelevant for church use. The software itself has a lot of menus and options – new users might feel overwhelmed if they only care about a simple Sunday check-in. Procare can be overkill for a church that only needs a kid check-in on the weekend. You might end up paying for modules you don’t need. Because it’s so comprehensive, setting it up and training staff on all its facets is a project. If you’re not using it daily, the rich features might go underutilized.

Bottom Line: Procare is a powerhouse – likely the most feature-packed system on this list – but with that comes cost and complexity. We’d recommend Procare primarily if your church has a dual need: for example, a Monday-to-Friday childcare or school and Sunday kids check-in, and you want them integrated. For a typical small church purely doing Sunday school, Procare may be too much. It’s the best at what it does for childcare management, but make sure you truly need all it offers before diving in.

7. KidEvent Pro — Ideal for Simplifying Registration for Kids Events

KidEvent Pro is an event management software designed specifically for children’s ministry programs run by churches. It helps ministries plan, promote, and manage events like Vacation Bible School (VBS), weekend camps, or mid-week discipleship programs. Developed by LifeWay, a well-known name in church resources, it integrates tightly into their existing ecosystem. While not a traditional Sunday-morning check-in tool, it’s highly relevant for ministries that run large or recurring children’s events.

• Key Features: Event registration with customizable forms, payment processing, built-in email communication tools, participant tracking, classroom assignments, secure check-in integration, and digital reporting. It’s designed to streamline logistics for multi-day or multi-class events with dozens or hundreds of children.

• Pros: Purpose-built for kids ministry events, with excellent tools for event planning, follow-up, and communication. Especially valuable for churches that already use LifeWay materials. Offers secure check-in functionality tied to event registration. Saves admin time during busy seasons like summer camps or Christmas productions.

• Cons: Doesn’t function as an everyday weekly check-in solution. Not ideal for Sunday School or nursery use. Some users report a dated interface and occasional glitches. No mobile app or volunteer scheduling tools. Focused more on planning than real-time check-in.

Bottom Line: If your church runs major seasonal or recurring kids events, KidEvent Pro could drastically reduce the logistical overhead. It’s not meant to replace a full check-in platform, but rather to supplement it during high-volume seasons. Ideal for churches that already use LifeWay resources and want a tool to manage large groups of kids securely and efficiently.

8. Shelby Systems — Ideal for Large Churches Needing a Full ChMS Suite

Shelby Systems is a veteran in the church software space, with a platform that caters primarily to large churches looking for a full-service Church Management System (ChMS). Their software covers a wide range of church operations — from attendance tracking and secure check-in to contributions, accounting, and volunteer management. While their check-in capabilities aren’t standalone or mobile-first like some newer apps, they’re part of a deeply integrated ecosystem that appeals to churches that want one system to handle everything.

• Key Features: Shelby’s check-in functionality includes secure children’s check-in with label printing, customizable pickup tags, and classroom tracking. The check-in tool ties directly into a centralized family database, making it easy to manage household details, allergies, emergency contacts, and attendance history. Beyond that, Shelby offers other robust features including financial and contribution tracking. Churches can also build custom workflows to manage communication, follow-ups, and visitor retention.

• Pros: For churches that are already operating at scale or growing toward that direction, Shelby provides an all-in-one administrative backend that helps avoid tool sprawl. Everything is linked — so check-in data feeds into attendance metrics, which tie into communications, which connect to giving history. This kind of integration is incredibly valuable for teams looking to gain insight and reduce manual reconciliation. The company also has a long-standing reputation in the church software world. The security features in check-in are dependable — parents get printed pickup tags, and staff can monitor classroom capacity and ratios in real-time.

• Cons: Shelby Systems is not an ideal fit for churches that want something lightweight or quick to roll out. Setup can be time-consuming, and the user interface feels dated compared to more modern check-in apps. While it excels at administration, it doesn’t offer the same level of user-friendliness or mobile-first convenience that many smaller churches might expect. Pricing is also opaque — you won’t find a clear cost structure on the website, and typically need to go through a sales call or demo process. Finally, their check-in module, while sufficient, is not as specialized or intuitive as tools that are purpose-built for kids ministry — so churches focused primarily on improving check-in workflows may find better options elsewhere.

Bottom Line: Shelby Systems is a powerful solution for churches that need serious infrastructure across all areas of ministry. If your church juggles hundreds of families, multiple departments, and a need for centralized control over giving, attendance, and communications, Shelby delivers. But if your primary focus is improving the Sunday morning check-in flow, you might be paying for more than you need.

9. FellowshipOne — Powerful but Complex

FellowshipOne is an example of a full church management system that includes check-in as one component. We’re including it to represent the category of advanced, enterprise-level church systems. These systems are usually chosen by larger churches that need an integrated approach across all ministries. FellowshipOne has a notable check-in system that has been used in many big churches, complete with options like barcode or fingerprint check-in for kids.

• Key Features: As part of a larger ChMS, FellowshipOne’s check-in ties directly into its comprehensive database. It can handle complicated rosters and room capacities, printing different badges for different programs, and syncing everything to family profiles. For security, it supports barcode scanner or even fingerprint reader check-ins for self-service. FellowshipOne’s Premier plan adds extra features like real-time roster views advanced reporting. Because it’s a full suite, any attendance data collected can trigger follow-up workflows and emails in the larger system.

• Pros: Integrated and highly customizable. If your church is already using a system like FellowshipOne or Pushpay’s Church Community Builder for membership and giving, using its built-in check-in ensures all your data is in one place. These systems are very powerful for large-scale operations – they can support dozens of check-in stations across multiple campuses and feed data to a central hub. Features like fingerprint check-in or SMS alerts to parents can be configured. Another pro is robust support and training. Having visitor tracking integrated is a big plus: when a new family checks in their kids, the system can automatically flag them as first-time visitors in the database for follow-up. This directly addresses “visitor tracking” goals a church might have.

• Cons: Not for the budget-conscious or tech-shy. Systems like FellowshipOne typically come at a higher price point. They might also require a contract. The complexity is much higher than a simple app – you’ll need training for your admin staff and likely a dedicated person to manage the database. For check-in specifically, setting up hardware like barcode or fingerprint scanners is an extra project. If a church only needs check-in, using a whole system like this is overkill. And as the user, you might find the interface less modern or more business-like, since these platforms have been around a while. In short, it’s overwhelming for a small church to implement a system this large just for kids’ check-in.

Bottom Line: FellowshipOne (and similar big church platforms) can provide an extremely secure and integrated check-in experience, but they are usually only worth it for churches that need an all-in-one solution on a large scale. If your church is already invested in a comprehensive ChMS, by all means leverage its check-in capabilities. But if not, adopting a heavy system just for check-in might be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. For most small to mid churches, a simpler dedicated check-in tool will be easier to manage. For large churches or those that truly want every advanced feature and complete integration, these enterprise solutions are the best church check-in systems in that class.

10. ChurchTrac — Budget-Friendly Church Software with Check-In

Rounding out our list is ChurchTrac, which is an all-in-one church management software known for its affordability. ChurchTrac often flies under the radar, but it offers modules for people, giving, worship planning, and importantly child check-in – all at prices typically lower than most competitors. It’s particularly appealing to small churches that want the benefits of a ChMS without the big cost.

• Key Features: ChurchTrac’s check-in feature allows you to use any number of devices as check-in kiosks. It prints security labels for children and matching guardian tags and supports texting parents in case of emergency via an add-on texting service. ChurchTrac also tracks attendance stats across all ministries, not just kids. It can generate reports of how many children attended and retention of visitors. Since it’s a full ChMS, all the attendance data links to member profiles. One highlight is that ChurchTrac doesn’t charge extra for more check-in kiosks.

• Pros: ChurchTrac’s is hard to beat on value if you’re looking for an all-in-one software. ChurchTrac is also user-friendly; it’s designed for churches without dedicated IT staff. The check-in module covers the bases well, offering both nursery security and broader attendance tracking. It supports printing wireless labels using common label printers, and their site provides guidance on exactly what you need.

• Cons: A bit basic in parts. While ChurchTrac’s features are solid, the depth and polish might not equal those of more expensive systems. Its user interface isn’t as flashy or modern. Some advanced features you’d find in higher-end products like automated express check-in via personal devices may not be present. ChurchTrac being an all-in-one means you’re committing to using it for multiple things; if you only want check-in and already have other systems for people data, it might be redundant. Another consideration: ChurchTrac’s check-in currently is optimized for iPads for touchscreen kiosk mode and requires using specific printers like Brother AirPrint models. This is fine for many, but if you don’t use Apple devices or those printers, you’ll need to adjust. Finally, because it’s broad, the support for check-in, while good, might not be as specialized as a dedicated check-in company – but their team does cover all features in support.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly solution that doesn’t sacrifice capability, ChurchTrac deserves serious consideration. The check-in feature is competent and will cover the needs of most children’s ministries. As long as you’re okay with the hardware requirements (iPad + printer setup) and you benefit from its other modules, ChurchTrac can be an option that keeps your kids safe and your accounting team happy at the same time.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing the best church check-in system for your ministry, consider your church’s size, budget, and specific needs. A large multi-campus church may prioritize integration and advanced features and lean towards options like Planning Center or FellowshipOne, whereas a small church plant might value simplicity, low cost, and minimal equipment from Kidddo or ChurchTrac. Security should be non-negotiable across the board – look for basic safety measures like matching tags or PIN codes.

It’s wise to take advantage of free trials and demos. Get your volunteers and maybe a few parents to test the workflow and see what feels comfortable. The good news is that all the systems we’ve covered can effectively secure your children’s ministry; it’s more about finding the best fit. Consider also the broader context: do you want a standalone check-in app or something that ties into your church database? How tech-savvy are your staff and parents? Answering these will point you to the right solution.

And remember, the “best” system is the one that families find easy, kids find fun, and volunteers actually enjoy using. The right check-in software will reduce stress on Sunday mornings, not add to it. With any of the top contenders we’ve discussed, you’ll be well on your way to a safer, more efficient check-in process that leaves everyone feeling confident and welcomed.

Experience stress-free check-ins with Kidddo – sign up for a free trial today and see why it’s the top-rated choice for growing churches that want simplicity and security in one!