Last updated: December 2025
Written by: Kidddo team; with 10+ years working with churches and child check-in systems

If you’re searching for a Planning Center alternative, chances are you’re not looking for more features.

You’re looking for:

• something simpler

• something more affordable

• something that works for check-in only, without the overhead of a full church management system

Many churches reach a point where Planning Center or KidCheck feels like too much platform for what they actually need. This guide is written for that moment.

TL;DR - When a Planning Center Alternative Makes Sense

A Planning Center alternative is a lighter church check-in system designed for churches that want fast check-ins, predictable pricing, and minimal setup - without paying for features they don’t use.

If your church:

• primarily needs nursery or child check-in

• has volunteers, not IT staff

• wants clear pricing without usage penalties

…then a simpler alternative may be a better fit.

Why Churches Leave Planning Center or KidCheck

Planning Center is a powerful platform. KidCheck is widely known.

But power isn’t always the goal.

Here are the most common reasons churches start looking for alternatives:

1. Complexity Outpaces Actual Needs

Many churches only use a small fraction of what Planning Center offers.

The rest adds:

• longer setup

• more training

• more room for things to break

What starts as flexibility often turns into friction.

2. Costs Scale Faster Than Value

Pricing that increases with:

• number of people

• features

• check-in stations

• or database size

…can feel reasonable at first, then quietly expensive.

Small and mid-sized churches often realize they’re paying for growth they haven’t reached or features they don’t use.

3. Support Feels Distant

When a platform serves tens of thousands of organizations, support can feel generic or slow - especially for churches with simpler setups.

For many teams, responsiveness matters more than breadth.

"For small churches, Planning Center became too expensive and complex. It was great at first, but our budget kept shrinking while the feature set kept growing.” - church leader discussing alternatives (Reddit)

What Most Churches Actually Need from Check-In Software

Before comparing platforms, it helps to be honest about requirements.

For most churches, check-in needs boil down to:

• fast child check-in and pickup

• clear labels

• attendance tracking

• optional text notifications

• minimal volunteer training

• predictable monthly cost

Anything beyond that is optional - not essential.

"Our congregation doesn't seem to use all the Planning Center features to its fullest." - Small Church Media, Facebook

Planning Center vs Simpler Check-In Systems

Here’s where many churches recalibrate.

Planning Center

Best for churches that:

• want an all-in-one ChMS

• manage many ministries in one system

• have staff time to configure and maintain it

Simpler Check-In Platforms

Best for churches that:

• only need check-in + attendance

• want setup in minutes, not weeks

• don’t want pricing tied to growth

• value clarity over configurability

This is where lighter platforms win - not by doing more, but by doing less, better.

A Practical Planning Center Alternative: Kidddo

Kidddo was built specifically for churches and daycares that want check-in without the bloat.

Instead of trying to replace an entire ChMS, Kidddo focuses on one thing: making check-ins fast, simple, and affordable.

What Kidddo Does Well

• quick setup (no technical onboarding)

• flat monthly pricing

• unlimited kids and stations

• nursery-friendly workflows

• simple label printing

• responsive, human support

There’s nothing to “grow into.”

It works the same on day one as it does a year later.

Cost Comparison: Planning Center, KidCheck, and Simpler Alternatives

For churches watching budgets closely, predictable pricing matters more than feature depth.

Is Kidddo a KidCheck Alternative?

Yes - particularly for churches that want:

• simpler setup

• fewer configuration steps

• lower ongoing costs

• no long-term contracts

KidCheck can make sense for very large churches with complex workflows.

But for smaller teams, Kidddo often delivers the same outcome with far less effort.

When You Shouldn’t Switch from Planning Center

You may want to stay with Planning Center if:

• you actively use multiple modules across ministries

• your staff depends on deep ChMS integrations

• you need highly customized workflows

If Planning Center is already working well and fully used, switching may not add value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simpler alternative to Planning Center?

Yes. Many churches choose lighter check-in platforms when they only need attendance tracking and child check-in without full ChMS complexity.

Is Planning Center too expensive for small churches?

It can be. Pricing scales with usage and features, which often outpaces the needs of smaller congregations.

What is the easiest church check-in software to use?

The easiest systems focus on fast setup, minimal configuration, and intuitive volunteer workflows - especially for nurseries.

Can I switch without disrupting Sunday check-in?

Yes. Most churches transition mid-week and are fully operational by the next service with minimal training.

How to Decide If a Planning Center Alternative Is Right for You

Ask yourself:

• Are we paying for features we don’t use?

• Do volunteers struggle with setup?

• Is pricing predictable as we grow?

• Would simpler actually be better?

If those questions resonate, exploring an alternative makes sense.

Try a Simpler Check-In Approach

If you’re ready to move away from complexity and toward clarity, Kidddo offers a free trial with no pressure and no contracts.

It’s designed for churches that want check-in to feel as easy as saying hello.