TouchPoint vs Shelby Systems: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
TouchPoint
Open-source church management software with free self-hosted option and cloud hosting for tech-savvy 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 | TouchPoint | Shelby Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Churches with developer volunteers who want free, full-featured ChMS | Established churches with complex nonprofit accounting needs |
| Pricing Model | Open Source | Contact Sales |
| Starting Price | Free | $75/mo |
| Deployment | cloud, self hosted | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.0/10 | 6.8/10 |
Pros & Cons
TouchPoint
Pros
- Genuinely free self-hosted option with full source code on GitHub
- Cloud hosting at $75/month is among the cheapest ChMS options
- Full customization possible with access to source code
- No vendor lock-in — you own your data and can modify the software
- Feature set competes with platforms charging 2-4x more
Cons
- Self-hosting requires .NET developer skills — not for non-technical churches
- Community is smaller than Planning Center or Tithe.ly — less peer support
- Interface design is functional but dated compared to modern ChMS platforms
- Mobile experience is web-based, not a dedicated native app
- Documentation could be more comprehensive for non-developers
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TouchPoint | open source | Free0 |
| Shelby Systems | contact sales | $75/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose TouchPoint if...
Churches with developer volunteers who want free, full-featured ChMS
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.