Key Takeaway
Church app pricing in 2026 falls into five models: free template (Tithe.ly, Church Center), subscription template ($149-$500+/mo - Subsplash, Pushpay), subscription custom ($250/mo - Rehost), pay-once custom ($50K-200K), and DIY builder ($36-120/mo - Appy Pie, Shoutem). When you factor in giving transaction fees, add-on costs, and contract penalties, the "cheap" options often cost more over 3 years than a custom solution. Rehost at $250/month with code ownership and no contracts is the best value for churches with 100+ members.
Five Pricing Models for Church Apps
Every church app platform uses one of five pricing models. Understanding which model you're buying into matters more than the monthly sticker price, because the total cost of ownership over 3-5 years varies dramatically.
Model 1: Free Template Apps
Examples: Tithe.ly (free tier), Church Center
What you get: A basic app with the platform's branding, limited customization, and core features like giving and event listings.
The catch: "Free" isn't truly free. Tithe.ly charges 2.9% + $0.30 per giving transaction - on $20,000/month in giving, that's $580/month in processing fees ($6,960/year). Church Center requires a Planning Center subscription ($100-400/month for multiple modules). The app also says "Tithe.ly" or "Church Center," not your church name.
Best for: Church plants under 100 members testing digital engagement for the first time.
Model 2: Subscription Template ($149-$500+/month)
Examples: Subsplash ($149-$500+), Pushpay ($500-$1,000+), Shoutem ($49-$99)
What you get: A branded app built on the platform's template system. More customization than free tiers, plus features like media hosting, advanced giving, and push notifications.
The catch: Core features are often add-ons. Subsplash's base price looks like $149/month, but most churches end up paying $300-$600 after adding media hosting, giving, and streaming. Pushpay's giving optimization is excellent, but at $500-$1,000+/month, it's accessible only to larger churches. Annual contracts with cancellation penalties are common. And you never own the code - cancel, and the app disappears.
Best for: Mid-to-large churches (500+ members) with technology budgets that can absorb $400-$800/month for a polished, feature-rich template.
Model 3: Subscription Custom ($250/month)
Example: Rehost Faith
What you get: A fully custom-built app designed for your denomination's specific needs - not a template with your logo swapped in. Published under your church's developer accounts. You own the source code.
The catch: You're paying $250/month ongoing (though there's no contract - cancel anytime). This model works because Rehost uses modular architecture and shared infrastructure to deliver custom output at scale pricing.
Best for: Churches with 100+ members that want a premium app without the $50,000 upfront investment.
Model 4: Pay-Once Custom ($50,000-$200,000+)
Example: Hiring a development agency
What you get: A completely custom app built to your exact specifications. Total control over every feature and pixel.
The catch: The upfront cost is prohibitive for 95% of churches. Development takes 6-12 months. After launch, you need $2,000-$5,000/month for maintenance, hosting, security patches, and OS updates. The agency moves on to other clients - your first bug fix becomes a new contract.
Best for: Mega churches (5,000+ members) with six-figure technology budgets and internal IT staff to maintain the app post-launch.
Model 5: DIY Builder ($36-$120/month)
Examples: Appy Pie ($36-$120), Shoutem, GoodBarber
What you get: A drag-and-drop builder with church templates. You (or a volunteer) build the app yourself.
The catch: The output looks generic. These builders serve restaurants, salons, and churches from the same template library - meaning your app looks like a restaurant app with a cross icon. No denomination-specific features, no code ownership, and you're responsible for building and maintaining it. The quality gap between a DIY builder and a professionally built app is immediately visible to members.
Best for: Very small churches (under 100 members) with a tech-comfortable volunteer and minimal budget.
The Full Cost Comparison (3 Years)
Here's what each option actually costs over 3 years for a church with 500 members processing $25,000/month in giving:
| Platform | Monthly Cost | Giving Fees (/mo) | 3-Year Total | Code Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tithe.ly (free app) | $0 | ~$725 | $26,100 | ❌ No |
| Church Center + PC | $200-300 | $0* | $7,200-10,800 | ❌ No |
| Subsplash (Pro) | $400-500 | ~$600 | $36,000-39,600 | ❌ No |
| Pushpay | $600-900 | Included | $21,600-32,400 | ❌ No |
| Appy Pie (Platinum) | $120 | N/A | $4,320 | ❌ No |
| Custom development | $3,000-5,000** | Your processor | $158,000-230,000 | ✅ Yes |
| Rehost Faith | $250 | Your processor | $5,400 | ✅ Yes |
*Church Center is free but requires Planning Center ($100-400/mo).
**Custom development includes $50K-150K upfront amortized over 36 months plus $2-5K/mo maintenance.
Two things stand out in this table. First, Tithe.ly's "free" app costs more over 3 years ($26,100 in giving fees) than Rehost ($5,400 in subscription fees) - and with Tithe.ly you don't own the code. Second, Subsplash at $36,000-$39,600 over 3 years costs 7x more than Rehost for a template app without code ownership.
Choosing by Church Size
Under 200 Members
Start with Church Center (if you use Planning Center) or Tithe.ly's free tier. At this size, the giving fees are manageable and you're still testing whether your congregation will engage with an app. Once engagement is proven, upgrade to Rehost.
200-500 Members
This is where Rehost shines. At $250/month, you get a custom app that grows with your church - no per-member pricing, no add-on fees that balloon as you add features. You own the code from day one, so if your church merges, rebrands, or changes direction, the app adapts with you.
500-2,000 Members
Rehost or Subsplash, depending on priorities. If media hosting and Subsplash TV (streaming to smart TVs) are critical, Subsplash delivers. If code ownership, customization, and lower total cost matter more, Rehost is the stronger choice at a fraction of the price.
2,000+ Members
Rehost, Pushpay, or custom development. Pushpay's giving optimization justifies the premium for churches where maximizing digital giving is the primary goal. Rehost delivers custom quality at $250/month with full denomination support. Custom development makes sense only if you have an internal IT team to maintain it.
→ See what Rehost builds for churches at $250/month →
Related: Best church app builders 2026 | Subsplash pricing breakdown | Tithe.ly alternatives | Build a church app without coding | Pushpay vs Rehost
FAQ
How much does a church app cost per month?
Church app costs range from free (Tithe.ly free tier, Church Center) to $1,200+/month (Subsplash Enterprise, Pushpay). Free tiers have significant limitations and hidden transaction fees. Mid-range template apps run $300-$600/month. Rehost builds fully custom church apps with code ownership at $250/month - the best value for churches with 100+ members.
What's the cheapest church app option?
Tithe.ly's free tier is the cheapest at $0/month for the app, but charges 2.9% + $0.30 on every giving transaction. For a church processing $20,000/month in giving, that's $580/month in fees - more expensive than Rehost's $250/month subscription. True cost depends on your giving volume.
Do any church app platforms offer code ownership?
Rehost is the only church app platform at the $250/month price point that provides full source code ownership. Custom development agencies also deliver code ownership, but at $50,000-$200,000 upfront. Template platforms (Subsplash, Tithe.ly, Pushpay, Church Center) retain all code - cancel, and your app disappears.
Should my church get an app or improve our website?
Both serve different purposes. Your website is for discovery - new visitors find service times, location, and beliefs through Google. Your app is for engagement - push notifications (40-60% open rate vs email at 18%), one-tap giving, sermon access, and daily community features keep existing members connected between Sundays. Churches with both see 40-60% higher weekly engagement. For most churches, the app has more impact on retention than a website redesign.
How long does it take to build a church app?
Template platforms (Subsplash, Tithe.ly) can launch in 1-4 weeks since they're configuring a template. Rehost custom apps launch in 4-6 weeks since they're building from scratch. DIY builders (Appy Pie) can be set up in days, but the output reflects the time investment. Custom agency development takes 6-12 months.