ChurchKoala vs Tithe.ly
Tithe.ly is built around giving and a broad church suite. ChurchKoala focuses on useful people, communication, and website tools, for less.
Tithe.ly is best known for giving, online, mobile, and in-person, with a wider suite of church products built around it. If donation processing is the center of your needs, that's its home turf.
ChurchKoala is not a giving platform. We focus on the relational and communication side of church life, plus a welcoming website, and we keep the product small, well-designed, and affordable.
Pricing snapshot
As of June 2026, ChurchKoala starts at $19/month for Seed and $39/month for Rooted. Tithely's public help article lists Giving at $0/month plus transaction fees, Church Management at $72/month, and add-ons such as messaging and apps. Tithely's All Access page lists the broader bundle at $119/month.
If giving is the center of the decision, Tithely deserves a close look. If your church is mostly trying to keep people organized, communicate clearly, and have a website that helps visitors take the next step, ChurchKoala is the leaner and cheaper path.
Useful feature comparison
We do not treat every "yes" as equal. A feature is only useful if it solves a real church job without dragging in extra complexity or cost your team does not need.
| Useful job | ChurchKoala | Tithe.ly |
|---|---|---|
| Keep a people directory | Yes: focused and lightweight | Yes: part of Church Management |
| Message the congregation | Yes: simple communication | Yes: messaging is available, with separate pricing/credits |
| Welcome newcomers online | Yes: website included | Yes, but Sites is sold separately or through a bundle |
| Process giving | Not today | Yes: Tithely's core strength |
| Avoid paying for giving tools you do not need | Yes | No, if the suite value depends on giving and giving-adjacent tools |
| Keep monthly cost low | Yes: $19-$39/month public plans | Mixed: giving can be $0/month plus fees; ChMS and bundles cost more |
When the headline feature is not your main need
Tithely's strongest feature is giving. That is useful if generosity tools, text-to-give, donation reporting, and donor workflows are central to what you need right now. It is less useful if you already have giving handled, or if your biggest problem is that your website, people list, and communication tools feel scattered.
That is how we think about "poorly implemented" or unnecessary features: not by mocking the checkbox, but by asking whether the feature is excellent for your actual use case. A powerful giving suite is a bad bargain if your church is not shopping for giving software.
Who Tithe.ly is for
Churches whose top priority is giving, donation processing, and the financial side of ministry, with related add-ons.
Who ChurchKoala is for
Churches that want a focused, affordable tool for caring for people, communicating, and welcoming newcomers, without paying for a giving suite they don't need.
Frequently asked questions
- How is ChurchKoala different from Tithe.ly?
- Tithe.ly is anchored in online and in-person giving, with a broader suite of church products around it. ChurchKoala isn't a giving platform; it focuses on knowing your people, communicating with them, and a welcoming church website, at a lower cost.
- Does ChurchKoala process donations?
- Not today. If giving is your primary need, Tithe.ly is purpose-built for it. ChurchKoala focuses on people, communication, and your church website.
- Is ChurchKoala cheaper?
- Yes for churches comparing paid management tools. ChurchKoala starts at $19/month, while Tithely lists Church Management at $72/month and All Access at $119/month. Tithely Giving itself can be $0/month plus transaction fees.