Tithe.ly vs Shelby Systems: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Tithe.ly
8.0(2,800 reviews)
Church giving platform with free ChMS, online donations, church app, website builder, and streaming tools for modern churches.
Shelby Systems
6.8(640 reviews)
Church and nonprofit management software with financial management, membership, and giving tools for established congregations.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Tithe.ly | Shelby Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Churches where online giving is the primary technology need | Established churches with complex nonprofit accounting needs |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Contact Sales |
| Starting Price | Free | $75/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 6.8/10 |
Pros & Cons
Tithe.ly
Pros
- Free ChMS is genuinely usable — not a stripped-down demo or trial
- Giving platform supports text-to-give, online, kiosk, and recurring donations
- Integrated ecosystem means giving, ChMS, app, and website all work together
- Transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30) are competitive with industry standard
- Modern interface that younger church staff appreciate
Cons
- Free ChMS is strategically tied to Tithe.ly Giving — vendor lock-in risk
- Advanced features (app, website, streaming) add up to $199+/month total
- Giving transaction fees take 2.9% + $0.30 from every donation
- Worship planning lacks the depth of Planning Center Services
- ChMS reporting is less customizable than Realm or Planning Center
Shelby Systems
Pros
- Enterprise-grade nonprofit accounting handles the most complex church financial structures
- 48 years of church experience means edge cases in church finance are well-understood
- Full payroll processing built in — eliminates need for ADP or Gusto
- Denominational reporting templates for major denominations
- Migration tools available for churches on legacy Shelby desktop software
Cons
- Interface still feels enterprise-heavy despite ShelbyNext modernization
- Overkill for churches under 200 members with simple financial needs
- Pricing requires contacting sales — not fully transparent
- Learning curve for the financial modules is steep for non-bookkeepers
- Mobile experience trails Planning Center and Breeze
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tithe.ly | freemium | Free0 |
| Shelby Systems | contact sales | $75/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Tithe.ly if...
Churches where online giving is the primary technology need
Choose Shelby Systems if...
Established churches with complex nonprofit accounting needs
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.