Pushpay vs. Tithely vs. HolyJot: Church Giving Software Compared
Church giving software is one of the most consequential technology decisions a church makes. The platform you choose affects how easily your congregation gives, how much of every donation actually reaches ministry, and how much administrative burden your staff carries managing contributions and statements.
The Fee Question Nobody Wants to Answer Clearly
Let's start here, because it's where the real differences live. A church processing $200,000 in annual giving will pay meaningfully different amounts depending on which platform they choose — sometimes thousands of dollars per year in difference.
Platform Overview
Pushpay
Pushpay is the enterprise option — built for mid-size to large churches (typically 200+ members). Known for its polished giving experience, robust reporting, and deep integration with Church Community Builder (CCB). Its weaknesses: it's expensive, typically requires a contract, and is overkill for smaller churches.
Tithely
Tithely positioned itself as the accessible alternative to Pushpay — lower entry point, no long-term contract required. A reasonable choice for mid-size churches that want a giving-focused platform with some ChMS functionality bundled in.
HolyJot
HolyJot integrates giving directly into a discipleship and church engagement platform. The most significant structural difference: HolyJot processes giving directly through Stripe and does not add a platform fee on top of Stripe's standard processing rate. Learn more about HolyJot's approach to church giving software, or see how it compares as a Tithely alternative.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Pushpay | Tithely | HolyJot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee (on top of processing) | Yes | Yes (~1%) | No platform fee |
| Contract Required | Yes (1–3 year) | No | No |
| Mobile Giving App | Yes (excellent) | Yes (good) | Yes |
| Text-to-Give | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring Giving | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Contribution Statements | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Management | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Discipleship Tools | No | No | Yes |
| AI Features | No | No | Yes |
| Free Plan | No | No | Yes (Starter) |
The Real Cost: A Math Example
Assume a church processes $150,000 in annual giving.
Pushpay: Total annual cost including processing fees typically ranges $4,000–$8,000+ depending on negotiated rate. Contract lock-in means you're committed to these rates.
Tithely: ~1% platform fee plus Stripe's processing rate. On $150,000, the platform fee alone is approximately $1,500/year. Total giving-related fees: $5,000–$6,000 annually.
HolyJot: No platform fee. You pay Stripe's standard rate directly (~$4,350 on $150,000). Combined with a modest monthly subscription for the full platform, total annual cost is substantially lower — and discipleship tools are included.
On $150,000 in annual giving, the difference between Tithely and HolyJot can be $1,500–$2,000+ per year.
Who Each Platform Is Best For
Choose Pushpay if:
- Your church has 500+ members and high giving volume
- You want the most polished, enterprise-grade giving experience
- You have budget and are comfortable with a multi-year contract
Choose Tithely if:
- Your church is in the 150–500 member range
- You want competitive transaction fees without a long-term contract
- You're already using other Tithely products
Choose HolyJot if:
- You want to minimize per-transaction costs with no platform fee
- Discipleship and member engagement are software priorities, not just giving
- You're a smaller church looking for a free starting point
- You prefer month-to-month commitment with full feature access
The Bottom Line
If fee minimization is your primary concern, HolyJot's no-platform-fee model is the clear winner. Explore HolyJot's church giving software features, or see how it compares as a Tithely alternative.
See HolyJot's Giving Tools in Action
Create your free church account and explore giving features — including no-platform-fee Stripe integration, recurring giving, fund management, and contribution statements.