What Is ChurchBooks3? Church Accounting Software for Small Churches
ChurchBooks3 is simple church accounting software for small churches, serving churches since 2010. Track giving, funds, members, and reports. Free 30-day trial.
What Is ChurchBooks3?
ChurchBooks3 is church accounting and management software built for small churches. Serving churches since 2010, ChurchBooks3 brings contributions, membership, attendance, and church finances together in one simple system, so your treasurer, administrator, or pastor doesn't need to juggle spreadsheets and separate apps.
This overview explains what ChurchBooks3 does, who it's for, how the Online and Desktop versions differ, and how to get started.
Who Makes ChurchBooks3?
ChurchBooks3 is made by ChurchBooks3 LLC, based in Bear Creek, North Carolina. The software launched in 2010 and is backed by Hanner Communications, founded in 2002. Every free trial includes personal setup help from a ChurchBooks3 service manager.
Who ChurchBooks3 Is For
- Small and mid-sized churches that want simple tools instead of enterprise software.
- Volunteer treasurers and bookkeepers who aren't accountants. See church accounting without an accountant.
- Church administrators and secretaries who manage members, attendance, and correspondence.
- Pastors and boards who need clear financial reports to make decisions.
What ChurchBooks3 Does
Contributions and giving
Record tithes, offerings, and designated gifts by member and fund, import online giving, and print year-end giving statements. Learn more about church contributions.
Church ledger and fund accounting
Track income and expenses by account and fund using a church-friendly chart of accounts, set budgets, and reconcile your bank account. See Your Church Ledger.
Financial reports
Produce income and expense statements, balance sheets, budget comparisons, and fund balances for your board. See church financial reports.
Membership and attendance
Keep member and family records, track attendance, and connect giving to the right people. See church membership and church attendance.
Church administration
Keep meeting minutes, employee records, and church letterhead in the same system.
ChurchBooks3 Online vs. Desktop
ChurchBooks3 comes in two versions so churches can choose what fits:
- ChurchBooks3 Online runs in your web browser, so your treasurer and administrator can work from anywhere without installing software. Online plans are billed monthly: Bronze is $9.99/month for up to 100 members, Silver is $19.99/month for up to 500 members and adds full accounting and the church ledger, and Gold is $29.99/month for unlimited members with financial management and payroll. See Online pricing.
- ChurchBooks3 Desktop installs on your church computer for churches that prefer to keep their data locally. It runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and is built with Microsoft Access. Desktop plans start at $99 per year, with a one-time $399 Lifetime option. See Desktop pricing.
For help deciding, read Local Install vs. Online Access. Desktop users can find step-by-step video tutorials on our How It Works page.
Why Churches Choose ChurchBooks3
- Simple by design: Built for volunteers, not accountants. See why simpler is better.
- Everything in one place: Finances, giving, members, and attendance share one set of records.
- Built for churches: Fund accounting and giving statements are part of the system, not add-ons.
- Long track record: Serving churches since 2010, backed by Hanner Communications (founded 2002).
Comparing options? See ChurchBooks3 vs. QuickBooks and Aplos vs. ChurchBooks3.
Getting Started with ChurchBooks3
- Start a free trial of ChurchBooks3 Online. See the free 30-day trial.
- Set up your church details, funds, and chart of accounts.
- Import members from your existing spreadsheet.
- Record this week's offering and run your first report.
Review plans and pricing on our pricing page.
ChurchBooks3 FAQ
Who makes ChurchBooks3?
ChurchBooks3 LLC of Bear Creek, North Carolina. ChurchBooks3 launched in 2010 and is backed by Hanner Communications, founded in 2002.
Is ChurchBooks3 free?
You can try ChurchBooks3 free for 30 days with no credit card required. The Online trial includes every Gold plan feature. After the trial, ChurchBooks3 Online starts at $9.99 per month and ChurchBooks3 Desktop starts at $99 per year. See Online pricing and Desktop pricing.
Does ChurchBooks3 work on a Mac?
ChurchBooks3 Online runs in your web browser, so it works on a Mac or a PC. ChurchBooks3 Desktop requires Windows 10 or Windows 11. Mac users interested in Desktop can read MS Access on a Mac.
Can I bring in my existing member list?
Yes. You can import members from a spreadsheet and import online giving. See the membership import guide and the Givelify import guide.
Do I need accounting experience to use ChurchBooks3?
No. ChurchBooks3 is built for volunteer treasurers and bookkeepers, not accountants. See church accounting without an accountant.
Try ChurchBooks3 Today
If your church is ready to trade spreadsheets for one simple system, ChurchBooks3 is built for you. Start your free trial and see how easy church accounting can be.