Planning

What Planning is

Planning is cloud-based software for preparing worship services and coordinating the people involved. Its drag-and-drop worship flow editor brings service details together with songs, uploaded files, and notes. Users can add songs or import them, then manage the collection with search, filters, sharing, import and export, performance history, and more than 20 song information fields. Scheduling tools assign individuals or teams based on availability and qualifications, with volunteer notifications by email, text, or Facebook. Every plan includes unlimited file storage, and team leaders manage file access. Planning is available on Android, iOS, and the web. Its mobile web app works on most tablets and smartphones without an app download. Listed integrations include SongSelect, Church Community Builder, Faithlife Proclaim, OnSong, LifeWay Worship, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon; integration types vary. Worship Sense, Inc., headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina, developed a prototype in 2003 and launched a public version six months later. Solo starts at $15 a month for one planner; Deluxe is $25 a month for five, Premium is $50 a month for ten, and Ultimate is $100 a month for unlimited planners. Each includes unlimited helper accounts, teams, services, and file storage. A 30-day trial requires no credit card, commitment, or obligation. Churches less than a year old are offered free use during their first year.

Who it suits

Planning suits churches that need to organize service details, songs, files, and volunteer assignments in one place. It can accommodate teams with different numbers of planners, and its mobile web app supports access from most tablets and smartphones without an app download.

Limits

The cheapest plan, Solo, costs $15 a month and includes one planner. There is no general free plan, though churches less than a year old are offered free use during their first year.

Getting started

1. Open the Planning website.
2. Choose a plan or start the 30-day free trial; the trial requires no credit card.
3. Use the web version or access Planning on Android or iOS.
4. Use the mobile web app on a supported tablet or smartphone without downloading an app.

Verdict

Choose Planning if your church needs service planning, song organization, volunteer scheduling, and team file storage together. The 30-day trial offers a way to evaluate it before paying. Churches less than a year old are offered free use during their first year; other users should compare the planner allowance and monthly cost of each plan with their needs.