In a world where your congregation already spends hours on their phones every day, having an app that keeps them connected to the church seems like a no-brainer. 

But are church apps worth it?

It depends...

TL;DR: Some church apps are a smart investment. The key is knowing what kind of app you're getting, what it does for your people, and whether it’s solving a problem or just creating another one. Let’s talk about what’s changed in the state of mobile apps, what to watch out for, and what might actually work for your church in 2025.

The State of Mobile Apps in 2025

There are more apps than ever. In 2024 alone, over 218 billion apps were downloaded worldwide. People under 45? They live in their apps. They check their phones like it's a reflex.

But here’s what those stats won’t tell you unless you look closer.

Most people only use a few apps consistently. In fact, the majority of screen time goes to just five to ten apps. 

So while the idea of your church having an app feels good, you have to ask: will your people actually use it?

Pros of Church Apps

The majority of your people have smartphones. It’s easy to tell them to download a church app that gives them the ability to really connect with your ministry. Below are just a few reasons why having an app can benefit a church:

1. People donate more: When you make it easy for your people to give in a church app, they tend to give more frequently and give more in abundance. That’s a major win.
2. Listen to sermons anywhere: Kids get sick. People go out of town. Cars break down. When your church people can’t be there physically, they can still listen to or watch a sermon right there on their phone.
3. Info on the Go: A church app is a great place to provide your people with resources, show announcements, have event signups & more! You can use it as the digital “hub” of your church.
4. Push Notifications: This is a big selling point of church apps. Being able to send out a mass message to every single one of your users in a single instant is very benificial. Much like a mass text, all your people can get the message FAST!

Cons of Church Apps

Just because most of your people have smartphones doesn’t mean a church app is worth having. Here’s the dark side of church apps that very few will talk about. Especially the companies that make church apps.

1. Church apps are expensive: Church Apps have high monthly costs, and many have setup fees too. For most churches under 500 people, a church app is a large financial commitment that means taking financial resources away from other areas of your ministry. If you want a custom “made from scratch” app, be ready to shell out thousands of dollars! FYI, the going rate for a custom “made from scratch” cross-platform phone app is tens of thousands of dollars!
2. Push Notifications are pushy: Just because you send out push notification announcements doesn’t mean your people will read them. In fact, iOS users only have a 43% opt-in rate for in-app push messages. Though Android users are automatically opted in when they download an app, many users quickly opt out. At the end of the day, more than 1/3 of your app users will opt out of ALL push notifications. Of those that don’t opt out of your push notifications, how many will even read them?
3. App Fatigue: According to Comscore, the majority of cell phone users don’t download new apps much anymore. In the words of BB King... “the thrill is gone”. They don’t get excited about them like they used to when smartphones were fresh. Side note: IOS now defaults to offloading apps that you are not using.
4. Bungle or Bust: To get the best experience out of a church app, you need to use all of its services. If not, you risk having a user experience that is a hodgepodge of doing things within the app and doing things outside of the app. If you've ever needed multiple remotes just to control your TV you get the idea.

Now, let's talk about the two main kinds of church apps and which one is right for your church. 

Custom Apps vs Built-Into Your ChMs (And One Makes More Sense)

You’ve got custom-built apps, and you’ve got apps built into your church software.

Custom Apps (One App to One Church)

A custom app gives you maximum control. You pick the layout, features, colors, and logo. It’s tailored to your church from the ground up. The problem? They can cost $10,000 or more to build. Then you’ll pay again every time it needs updating. And again, if you switch platforms. Suddenly, that dream app becomes a serious financial drain.

Apps Built-In to Your ChMS (One App to Many Churches)

Now let’s talk about the second kind of app for your church: the one that comes with your existing church software. 

These apps (also known as container apps) are usually ready to go out of the box. They're integrated with your giving, calendar, forms, sermons, small groups, whatever you already have set up in your church software. No need to reinvent the wheel. No need to migrate your data. 

Is it fully custom? No. But that’s not always a bad thing. What you lose in design control, you gain in speed, simplicity, and actual usage.

So... Should My Church Have an App?

A good church app can make a real difference. It helps people give, sign up for events, listen to sermons, fill out forms, and stay connected throughout the week. If your budget allows for it and it meets a real need, go for it.

But for many churches, especially smaller ministries or churches on a budget, the smartest move is using the app that’s already built into your church software. It’s more affordable, easier to launch, and lets you focus your time and resources on ministry!

At the end of the day, pick the app that best meets your church's needs, not just today's latest trend.

Explore ChurchTrac for yourself by starting a free 30 day trial today.

FAQs About Church Apps

Here are some frequently asked questions about church apps...

Do people still use church apps in 2025?

Yes, especially when the app is simple to use and solves real problems. If the app is clunky, hard to navigate, or duplicates what people already do elsewhere, they’ll ignore it. But when it’s well integrated with your church systems and easy to access, people will use it regularly.

What is the difference between a custom church app and one that comes with church software?

A custom app is designed specifically for your church from the ground up. It offers full branding control but can be expensive to build and maintain. An app that comes with your church management software, like Church Connect, is already built, includes the tools your church needs, and is much more affordable and easier to launch.

Can I send push notifications through a church app?

Most church apps allow you to send push notifications to your members. You can even target specific groups, like volunteers or small group leaders, to send them the right message at the right time.

What if not everyone in my church wants to download an app?

A app for your church should be one of several ways people can stay connected. Think of it as a tool for those who prefer mobile access, not a requirement for everyone.

Is Church Connect really free?

Church Connect is included with your ChurchTrac subscription. There are no added monthly fees, setup costs, or surprise charges. Once you download it, you’re ready to go.