Key Takeaway
Tithe.ly offers a free church app focused on giving. Rehost builds custom-coded church apps at $250/month with full code ownership. Choose Tithe.ly for budget-first simplicity. Choose Rehost for denomination-specific features, custom branding, and owning your source code.
Two Different Approaches to Church Apps
Tithe.ly and Rehost both build church apps, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Tithe.ly is a giving-first platform that includes a free template-based church app. Rehost is a custom development studio that builds denomination-specific church apps with full code ownership.
Neither is universally better - it depends on your church's size, budget, and goals. This comparison breaks down exactly where each platform wins and loses.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Tithe.ly | Rehost |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free – $149/mo | $250/mo |
| Custom branded app | Paid tiers only | Yes (always) |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| Giving integration | Native (core strength) | Integrated |
| Processing fees | 2.9% + $0.30 | Varies by provider |
| Sermon library | Yes | Yes |
| Push notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Denomination-specific features | No | Yes |
| Long-term contracts | None | None |
| Live streaming | Yes | Yes |
| Church management (ChMS) | Yes (Tithe.ly People) | Basic (integrates with existing) |
| Website builder | Yes (Tithe.ly Sites) | No (focused on mobile) |
Choose Tithe.ly If...
- You're a small church under 200 members and need a free starting point
- Digital giving is your primary goal - Tithe.ly's giving platform is excellent
- You want an all-in-one system (app + giving + website + ChMS) from one vendor
- You don't need denomination-specific features
- Budget is under $100/month for tech
Choose Rehost If...
- You need denomination-specific features - liturgical calendar for Lutherans, session governance for Presbyterians, connectional system support for Methodists
- Code ownership matters - you want to own the app even if you leave the platform
- You want a truly custom app, not a template with your logo
- You're a mid-size to large church (200-5,000+ members) that needs more than a template
- You're ready to invest $250/month for a premium, custom-built experience
The Code Ownership Question
This is the single biggest differentiator. With Tithe.ly, your app exists on Tithe.ly's servers. Cancel your subscription, and your app disappears - along with years of content, sermon recordings, and member engagement data.
With Rehost, you receive the complete source code. The app is published under your Apple Developer and Google Play accounts. If you ever leave Rehost, you keep everything - the code, the app listing, the reviews, the download history. Your church's digital presence is truly yours.
For churches investing in long-term digital infrastructure, this distinction is critical.
Pricing Deep Dive
Tithe.ly's free tier is genuinely useful but limited. Here's what each Tithe.ly tier actually includes vs Rehost:
| Tier | Tithe.ly Free | Tithe.ly $49/mo | Tithe.ly $149/mo | Rehost $250/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branded app | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Custom features | No | No | Limited | Full custom |
| Code ownership | No | No | No | Yes |
| Giving tools | Basic | Advanced | Full | Integrated |
At the $149/month tier - where Tithe.ly finally offers a branded app - you're paying nearly the same as Rehost ($250/month) but getting a template app without code ownership vs. a fully custom app that you own.
Related: Best Subsplash Alternatives for Churches | Church App vs Church Website
FAQ
Is Tithe.ly really free?
The basic giving platform and app are free to use. However, Tithe.ly charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction on all giving - this is their primary revenue model. For a church receiving $10,000/month in digital giving, that's $290/month in processing fees. The free app is basic and unbranded.
Can Tithe.ly and Rehost work together?
Yes. Many churches use Tithe.ly for giving processing (it's excellent at that) while using a Rehost app for the broader member engagement experience. The Rehost app can include a Tithe.ly giving integration.
Which is better for a church plant?
Start with Tithe.ly's free tier to establish digital giving immediately. As you grow past 100-200 regular attendees and need more sophisticated engagement, transition to Rehost for a custom app while keeping Tithe.ly for giving processing.