Planning Center Alternative: Why Churches Switch from Planning Center and other child check-in apps

If you’re searching for a Planning Center alternative or looking at alternatives to other child check-in apps, you’re likely seeking a simpler, more budget-friendly solution. Apps like Planning Center and KidCheck are well-known church check-in systems – but they aren’t one-size-fits-all. Many churches end up wanting something easier to use or more affordable. In this guide, we’ll compare these platforms and show why so many ministries are switching to Kidddo for their children’s check-in needs.

Ready for stress-free Sunday check-ins? Try Kidddo free for 30 days and experience a faster, simpler way to check kids in.

Why Look for an Alternative?

Churches consider alternatives when their current system is too complex, too costly, or not focused enough on their needs. Perhaps Planning Center’s all-in-one suite is too overwhelming when you just need check-ins. Maybe your current apps pricing tiers or hardware requirements feel restrictive, or child check-in limits don’t fit a growing ministry. Whatever the reason, the goal is the same: a reliable child check-in system that’s easy for volunteers, keeps kids safe, and won’t break the budget. Below we break down each popular solution and how they compare with Kidddo – a modern, no-hassle check-in system built for churches.

Planning Center Check-Ins vs Kidddo

Planning Center Check-Ins is part of the larger Planning Center Online church management suite. It offers robust features like multiple check-in stations, mobile check-in, and integration with your member database . Planning Center is a powerful “all-in-one” platform, which is great if your church needs everything from scheduling to giving. Many smaller churches find Planning Center’s multiple modules to be more than they need – and they’re often paying for that complexity that goes unused.

• Complexity vs Simplicity: Because Planning Center is designed to do everything, setting up and navigating check-Ins can be complicated if you only want child check-in. Training volunteers on Planning Center may take time, whereas Kidddo focuses solely on check-ins, making it extremely easy to learn. There’s virtually no training required with Kidddo – volunteers can master it in minutes, since it doesn’t include excess modules or jargon. Kidddo was intentionally built to have “no bloated, one-size-fits-all system – just simple child check-in that works” .

• Pricing: Planning Center’s pricing for Check-Ins is usage-based. Small churches can use it free up to 10 check-ins on the busiest day , but beyond that you start paying monthly - 200 daily check-ins runs about $69/month . Costs increase as your attendance grows. Kidddo, by contrast, has one simple flat price – $19 per month (or $149/year) for unlimited check-ins . Whether you have 20 kids or 200 kids on Sunday, your cost stays the same. There are no contracts or surprise fees on Kidddo, and you get a full feature set for one price – just like Planning Center’s top tier.

• Focus on Check-In: Planning Center is ideal if you need a comprehensive church management solution. But if you’re mainly concerned with secure, efficient children’s check-in, you might find Planning Center to be overkill. Many churches looking for a Planning Center alternative specifically want to simplify. Kidddo provides that focus – it’s 100% dedicated to child check-in and safety features, without the extra bulk. This means it’s faster to set up and use for that purpose. You won’t be wading through event management or accounting tools just to check kids in on Sunday.

• Features Comparison: Both systems cover the basics: printing name tags with matching security codes, real-time attendance tracking, and emergency paging. Planning Center check-ins works on iPads or computers and integrates with their mobile app for parents. Kidddo similarly works on any device with a browser – tablets, phones, laptops – with no special hardware needed, and prints secure pickup labels via standard printers . Kidddo also includes built-in SMS text alerts to page parents – just like Planning Center’s emergency texting. Kidddo offers the core check-in capabilities you’d use in Planning Center, but in a more streamlined package.

Tired of complex software for simple tasks? Switch to Kidddo – the check-in system that just works, without the clutter. Get started with a free trial today.

KidCheck vs Kidddo

KidCheck is a veteran in children’s check-in. It’s a dedicated check-in system that many churches and childcare centers have used for years. KidCheck offers features like mobile check-in, emergency texting, photo ID tags, and even the ability for parents to manage their own accounts . It’s a solid, feature-rich platform – but those features come at a higher price and complexity, which is why some users seek a KidCheck alternative.

• Pricing Structure: KidCheck’s pricing is tiered by feature set. They have three editions: beginning at $25/month for one check-in station up through $120/month for unlimited devices at the top tier . A church with multiple check-in kiosks might pay $75+ every month with KidCheck’s mid-tier or higher. Kidddo, on the other hand, gives you every feature including unlimited stations and all check-in functionality for just $19/month flat. There are no edition upgrades needed – even small churches get the full capability without paying more.

• Hardware & Setup: KidCheck often markets hardware like check-in station kits and their ExpressHub for mobile printing . While you can use your own devices with KidCheck, some features only work best with their proprietary hub and equipment. This can add cost or complexity to set up. Kidddo avoids this entirely – it’s designed to run on your existing devices and printers with no specialized hardware. If you have an iPad or a PC and a basic label printer, you’re good to go. This is attractive to churches that don’t want to invest in extra gadgets just for check-ins.

• Ease of Use: Users of KidCheck appreciate its security features, but some mention that it can feel a bit dated or overly complicated in areas like the admin console or setup. KidCheck’s interface has many options, which can be overwhelming if all you need is quick check-in. Kidddo prides itself on a clean, modern interface that any volunteer can navigate. There’s no need for extensive training or IT support – in fact, volunteers often “get it” without any manual. We built Kidddo to be intuitive from first use so that even non-technical people feel comfortable.

• Feature Comparison: Functionally, KidCheck and Kidddo cover similar ground on check-in basics: printing child name tags with unique pickup codes, texting parents, tracking attendance, etc. KidCheck does offer some extras like built-in volunteer scheduling and roster check-in in its higher tiers. If your children’s ministry needs those specific extras, KidCheck is a robust choice. Many churches find they aren’t using all those bells and whistles. Kidddo focuses on the core must-haves for children’s ministry: secure check-ins, attendance reporting, and easy parent communication. It does one thing and does it exceedingly well. Kidddo also supports express check-in style workflows – parents can look up their family by phone number or name in seconds, and labels print instantly with matching parent codes. In terms of security, both systems generate matching codes to ensure a safe pickup every time.

KidCheck user frustrated with high costs? Save big with Kidddo’s flat $19 pricing – no contracts, no per-device fees. Start your free Kidddo trial now and see the difference in your budget.

Why Churches Are Switching to Kidddo

Let's summarize the specific reasons churches are moving from Planning Center, KidCheck, and other child check-in apps to Kidddo for their children’s check-in:

• Simplicity and Focus: Kidddo is purpose-built for child check-ins and nothing else. Churches coming from all-in-one systems love shedding the extra complexity. No more clicking through unrelated modules – Kidddo gives you just what you need for Sunday morning kids’ ministry.

• Affordable Flat Pricing: Budget is a big factor. Whether you were paying $69/month for Planning Center Check-Ins or $75+ for KidCheck’s higher tiers, dropping to $19/month with Kidddo is significant savings. That’s money that can be put back into ministry or other needs. Plus, you don’t have to constantly evaluate your “plan” based on attendance – Kidddo grows with you at no added cost.

• Ease of Setup & Use: Many churches switch because they want a solution that anyone can run. Kidddo doesn’t require an IT background or lengthy training. It’s cloud-based, works on devices you already have, and new volunteers can pick it up instantly. As one of our users put it, “It just works – even our non-techie volunteers had no trouble.” This ease of use reduces check-in lines and volunteer frustration.

• Reliable, Secure Check-In Features: Kidddo delivers where it counts: unique security codes on each label for safe pickup, instant rosters and headcounts, SMS alerts to parents for emergencies, and accurate attendance tracking. You won’t miss out on any critical functionality by choosing Kidddo over the higher-priced alternatives. Kidddo takes advantage of modern, cloud-based technology and learns from the pain points of older systems – resulting in a smoother experience overall.

• Flexible and Supported: Kidddo offers full support to all customers - just like KidCheck and Planning Center do. We often deliver a more personalized support experience. Have a feature suggestion? We listen. Our agility is a major reason churches recommend Kidddo to others. It’s not just software, it’s a partnership to keep your kids’ ministry running safely and efficiently.

Make the Switch to Simpler Check-Ins

You don’t have to settle for a system that’s not the right fit. Hundreds of churches have already transitioned to Kidddo and haven’t looked back. If you’re ready for a bold, new approach to child check-in – one that is direct, friendly, and designed just for you – give Kidddo a try. Start your free 30-day trial today, and see how much easier Sunday mornings can be.