In today’s digital age, with a staggering 4.88 billion smartphone users worldwide, integrating technology into our routines has shifted from commonplace to absolutely crucial.
This trend extends to churches, where mobile apps for churches have emerged as a powerful tool for optimizing online giving, communication, administration, and connection with church members.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the growing importance of church apps for engagement and fundraising. We’ll also highlight key features to consider when choosing a church app and spotlight some of the best church apps on the market.
Ready to discover how church apps can revolutionize your ministry? Let’s get started!
Why Your Church Needs an App
A church app is not just a tool for managing donations and tracking attendance—it’s a powerful platform for strengthening relationships, fostering community, and advancing the mission of your church.
Let’s delve into the reasons your church could benefit from an app, examining the advantages it offers for both church members and staff.
More Opportunities for Connection
First and foremost, a church app serves as a central hub for church members to stay connected beyond Sunday morning. It overcomes the challenges of busy schedules, offering access to sermons, event calendars, and announcements anytime, anywhere.
Strengthens Community
Church apps build community through member interaction tools like prayer requests, virtual walls, surveys, and feedback forms. With features like live streaming, virtual groups, and online discipleship, church apps can extend the reach of your ministries beyond physical walls.
Convenient Giving for Your Supporters
A church giving app makes it safe and convenient for church members to give offerings and tithes on the go. Plus, by offering recurring giving options, church apps encourage members to give regularly to your mission. In just a few minutes, church members can set up recurring donations, choosing the frequency and amount that fits their budget and commitment level.
Easy Tracking and Reporting
Automated church app donation and attendance tracking eliminates the need for manual record-keeping, reducing the likelihood of errors. Church administrators can easily generate detailed reports, providing valuable insights into giving and engagement trends.
Engages the Younger Generations
Millennials and Gen Zers are highly active on their phones and many prefer to give online. A church app provides an opportunity to connect with these growing generations as they engage with their church family in the digital age.
Features to Look For In a Church App
When it comes to choosing the right church app, it’s important to find one that not only meets your church members’ needs but also resonates with your goals and values.
Here are the top features to consider for your church app:
Accessibility
A user-friendly interface is essential for church members to access your content. Look for a church app that supports accessibility, with clear menus, easy-to-read text, and customizable settings to accommodate various needs.
Security and Trust
Maintain trust with your church by choosing a church app that prioritizes security measures such as encryption methods, PCI compliance, and authentication protocols to safeguard donor data and personal information.
Integration
A church app that seamlessly integrates with your church management system is key. This ensures that donor data, attendance records, and other important information can be easily synced and managed in one place.
Customization
Additionally, look for customization options that allow you to tailor the app to reflect your church’s unique brand. A personalized donation form is especially important as it builds trust with your congregation.
Customer Support
Opt for a church app provider that offers reliable customer support and assistance. Whether you’re troubleshooting issues or need help maximizing the app’s features, responsive support services can make a big difference in your experience.
Cost and Value
Consider the cost of the app relative to the value it provides for your church. Look for an app that offers a range of features and functionalities at a reasonable price point, ensuring you’re getting the most out of your investment.
8 Top Apps for Your Church
There are a lot of great church apps out there that meet a variety of needs. We’ve compiled a list of the top eight church apps (in no particular order) to help you make the right decision.
1. Donorbox
If you’re looking to boost church giving, Donorbox is an all-in-one solution that includes features such as Text-to-Give, donation forms, QuickDonate ™, and customizable QR codes.
With the Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app, you can transform an Apple or Android tablet into a giving kiosk for your lobby or fundraising event, offering members a convenient way to give on the go.
Your church will love the Live Kiosk’s customization options, such as screen savers, sign-up forms, QR codes, and playful sounds and GIFs. Plus, by single-handedly supporting your church members, Donorbox Live™ Kiosk frees your admin and staff to focus more effectively on ministry.
You can add a Donor Live Kiosk to your Donorbox account for $50 per month for your first device. Visit the Donorbox website to see why this app is a great choice for your church. But don’t take our word for it, check out firsthand experiences with Donorbox here.
2. Pushpay
Pushpay is a leading church app specializing in secure, mobile giving, and donor management. In addition to in-app donations, Pushpay apps offer engagement features such as attendance tracking, push notifications, connection cards, and volunteer scheduling, all within a user-friendly interface.
Paypal is a great option for church members who prefer to donate via card or bank transfer; however, Pushpay does not support online donation types such as Apple Pay, Paypal, or Venmo.
Pricing options vary based on specific needs, with reviews highlighting its reliability and ease of use. Learn more about Pushpay pricing and plans here.
3. Planning Center
Planning Center is widely recognized for its extensive church management tools, including mobile giving, event registration, service planning, volunteer management, and resource scheduling. Primarily web-based, Planning Center integrates with Donorbox and other church giving platforms, while also offering its own suite of church applications.
Churches love Planning Center for its user-friendly interface and value, though some find it has a steep learning curve. Read more Planning Center feedback here.
Create a tailored plan based on your church’s size and needs. But make sure to keep a close eye on the monthly subscription fee, which increases with church growth.
4. Rock RMS
Rock RMS is a flexible and customizable church management system known for its church member engagement tools such as member management, attendance tracking, event registration, and volunteer coordination.
Like Planning Center, Rock RMS offers a Mobile App Platform and easily integrates with church giving platforms like Donorbox, seamlessly syncing your donation data and member profiles.
For churches without technical experts, keep in mind that some customers note Rock RMS requires programming skills to set up and maintain.
Rock RMS operates on a donation-based model, allowing churches of all sizes to use it for free. Browse Rock RMS’s website or read reviews about the platform here.
5. Givelify
Givelify offers an affordable solution for church giving and donor connection, with tools like fundraising tracking, a giving dashboard, and donor messaging. While donating through the Givelify app requires users to download and search for your church, it offers an incredible price.
Givelify is free for donors, and for churches, there are no signup or monthly fees, along with low transaction fees. Explore customer ratings and reviews for the Givelify app.
6. Tithe.ly
Tithe.ly is an innovative app that offers several advantages for online church giving, including customizable donation forms, recurring giving, and text-to-give capabilities. Plus, Tithe.ly offers excellent tools for engagement such as Bible reading plans, sermon notes, and push notifications.
Tithe.ly’s pricing includes no monthly or setup fees, but it does include processing fees. Learn more or read what customers are saying about Tithe.ly.
7. EasyTithe
easyTithe partners with churches who want to enhance their giving processes and effectively engage their church family. Its mobile-friendly online giving forms and text-to-give options make donating easy for congregants. easyTithe also includes user-friendly tracking tools for church administrators.
With church management features and a mobile-giving app included in the Pro plan, easyTithe ensures smooth giving experiences. Pricing varies based on church size, starting at $19 a month for small churches. Learn more about easyTithe plans or check out customer reviews.
8. GoChurch App
GoChurch App empowers churches to effortlessly connect with their congregation by creating customized church applications, complete with online giving capabilities. Key features include in-app giving options, video sharing, and push notifications. Available on iOS and Android stores, these made-to-order apps typically take a month to become accessible to church members.
With two pricing plans starting at $57 a month, GoChurch App offers flexibility and customization options tailored to different church needs. Find out more on the GoChurch App website and by reading these online reviews.
Conclusion
In our technology-driven world, churches are embracing innovative solutions to streamline their giving and engagement. And as we have seen, mobile apps for churches offer invaluable benefits for both church staff and members. From offering convenient donation options to building community, these mobile tools empower churches to connect with your members at any moment.
By exploring and evaluating the best apps for churches, you can find the perfect fit for your specific needs and preferences.
Discover the possibilities with church apps and transform your ministry today. Sign up with Donorbox and find more fundraising insights on church giving in our Church Giving blog.
