Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) and Volunteer Scheduler Pro (VSP) function very similarly, but have some distinct differences that are important to identify if you are deciding between the two.
Major Differences:
Verbiage
MSP is built for churches and the verbiage of the program reflects that focus, using terminology like “Service Times” and “Ministries.” VSP uses secular language like “Shifts” and “Jobs.”
Tracking Hours vs. Services
MSP is designed to schedule services, which do not have set end times within the program. VSP, on the other hand, has shifts with start and end times, allowing you to track volunteer hours, so you can run reports to share with grants, donors, or volunteers themselves.
Repeating Services/Shifts
MSP is built to handle weekly, monthly, and/or yearly repeating services. VSP can also handle repeating daily shifts, which are very popular with users scheduling special events, adoration, café workers, and office helpers.
Readings
MSP enables admins at Catholic churches to have the USCCB readings and audio guides automatically attached to their services! VSP allows admins to post notes to specific shifts and upload resources for their volunteers, but does not have the ability to automatically attach the USCCB readings.
Pricing Structure
Subscription prices are based on number of volunteers in the program and which edition of MSP or VSP you choose.
MSP users initially pay the monthly subscription fee for their first 6 months, and they have a money-back guarantee during that time. After those 6 months are up, then they start paying the monthly subscription fee on an annual basis (users do not have the ability to pay for only a portion of a year).
VSP just has a monthly subscription fee that can be paid in 6, 9, or 12-month chunks. If you do not need VSP for certain months in the year, you can let your contract expire and renew later without paying for down time. Also, in VSP, volunteers who have been inactive in the program for 90 days (dormant volunteers) do not count toward the number of volunteers you are paying for in your subscription.
There are other minor differences between the two programs, but these are the major categories that influence most of our users' decisions. For more information on whether MSP or VSP is right for you, please call us at 888-622-0949 to speak with a member of our team.