Who this comparison is for
- Children’s ministries, camps and after-school programs
- Churches that want check-in without kiosks or label printers
- Teams already messaging families on WhatsApp
What MsgOrb does that Planning Center doesn’t
Features compared
| MsgOrb | Planning Center | |
|---|---|---|
| Kids check-in with security codes | ||
| Pickup code sent to the parent’s WhatsApp | ||
| Attendance history and CSV export | ||
| People database, service planning, groups | Groups and contacts | |
| WhatsApp reminders and broadcasts | ||
| Giving with per-group links | Separate Giving app |
Pricing compared
| MsgOrb | Planning Center | |
|---|---|---|
| Kids check-in | Included on every plan, Free included; parents count as members, children don’t | Free up to 10 daily check-ins; paid tiers by number of Sunday check-ins |
| Plans | Free (60 members), then $19.99, $29.99 or $49.99 a month for 200, 500 or 1,500 members; Enterprise from $30 per 1,000 members | Each app priced separately; see planningcenter.com/pricing |
When Planning Center is the better choice
Choose Planning Center if you want one church management system for people, service planning, volunteers, groups and giving, and check-in is one part of it. Choose MsgOrb if you want simple, safe kids check-in with the pickup code on WhatsApp, alongside WhatsApp messaging.
Questions
Can I export attendance like in Planning Center?
Yes. Each Kids Check-in program has Check-in records: pick a date range of up to a year, search for a child or parent, and download a CSV with every check-in, pickup and the volunteers involved.
Do I need label printers?
No. Volunteers check children in from their own phones with a PIN, and the pickup code goes to the parent on WhatsApp. If you like, they write the code on the child’s sticker.
Can I use both?
Yes. Some churches keep Planning Center as their database and use MsgOrb for WhatsApp messaging, events and giving.
Planning Center facts checked on its own website on October 22, 2026: Planning Center pricing. Prices and features change; check their site for the latest. Planning Center is a trademark of its owner.