Church Apps
FIRST THINGS FIRST
So you want to build an app. First, please read this great article by Pro Church Tools: "Wait! 3 Reasons Your Church Shouldn’t Build An App." Now, if you want to continue on, here are some tools to build an app if you are so inclined.
CUSTOM APPS
Building a custom app can be pricey, but can be a great tool for your church. But, the app must function differently than your mobile website to be differentiated enough for church members to be motivated to download and use your app, regularly.
Here are some examples of custom church apps:
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, New Orleans - custom mobile app through The Church Solutions Company
Saddleback Church, many locations in California - custom mobile app through The Church App
SEMI-CUSTOM APPS MADE BY YOU
For-profit industry apps:
Church focused apps:
PushPay (eChurch app) - Development focus is giving. eCommerce is through PushPay. Video archive and media library is through YouTube. External linking possible. Push groups enabled. App store publishing is included. Cost is $4070 per year, plus transactions. There is a 5% increased giving "guarantee." ACS integration is available. Example from St. James Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA
SubSplash (The Church App) - Development focus is seeing/hearing (media). eCommerce is flexible with SubSplash giving as an option. Video and Media library is through SubSplash server. External linking possible. Push groups enabled. App store publishing is included. Cost is $999 one time, $179/month ($2148 per year).