Key Takeaway
Tithe.ly offers a solid free-tier church app focused on giving, but its paid tiers ($49–149/mo) still deliver template-based apps without code ownership. The top 5 alternatives in 2026 are Rehost ($250/mo, custom-coded with code ownership), Subsplash ($300–500/mo, polished templates), Pushpay ($500–1,000+/mo, best giving), Church Center (free with Planning Center), and custom development ($50K+). Rehost is the only platform that gives churches full source code ownership at an affordable price.
Why Churches Look Beyond Tithe.ly
Tithe.ly is one of the most popular church technology platforms, and for good reason - the free tier is genuinely useful. You get basic giving, a simple app, and sermon hosting at no cost. For church plants and small congregations testing digital engagement, it's a smart starting point.
But as churches grow, Tithe.ly's limitations become clear: the free app is unbranded (it says "Tithe.ly," not your church name), customization is limited even on paid tiers, and you never own the code. When you cancel, everything disappears.
Here are the 5 best alternatives for churches that have outgrown Tithe.ly's limitations.
The 5 Best Tithe.ly Alternatives
1. Rehost - Best for Custom Apps & Code Ownership
Price: $250/month | Custom branded app: Yes | Code ownership: Yes
Rehost builds fully custom church apps tailored to your denomination's specific needs. Unlike Tithe.ly's one-size-fits-all template, every Rehost app is designed and coded from scratch - whether that's liturgical calendar support for Lutherans, live worship integration for Pentecostal churches, or member management for Baptist congregations.
The standout differentiator: you own your code. The app is published under your church's developer accounts. If you ever leave Rehost, you keep the complete source code, app listings, reviews, and download history. No other church app platform at this price point offers this.
Includes: Custom-branded iOS + Android app, push notifications, event calendar, giving integration, sermon library, prayer wall, member directory, small group finder, and denomination-specific features. All for $250/month with no contracts and no upfront costs.
2. Subsplash - Best Polished Template
Price: $300–500+/month | Custom branded app: Yes | Code ownership: No
Subsplash has been a leading church app platform for years. Their apps are polished, well-designed, and feature-rich out of the box. You get sermon hosting, giving, push notifications, and event management in a professional-looking branded app.
Why switch from Tithe.ly: Significantly more polished design, better media hosting (Subsplash started as a media company), and stronger enterprise features. But you're paying 2–3x more than Rehost for a template app without code ownership. See our detailed Subsplash alternatives review.
3. Pushpay - Best for Maximizing Giving
Price: $500–1,000+/month | Custom branded app: Yes | Code ownership: No
If digital giving is your church's #1 priority and you have the budget, Pushpay has the highest giving conversion rates in the industry. Their platform is engineered to make donating as frictionless as possible - saved payment methods, recurring giving, and giving analytics that help you understand donor behavior.
Why switch from Tithe.ly: Superior giving optimization. But at $500–1,000+/month, it's 3–7x more expensive than Tithe.ly's paid tier. Best suited for large churches (2,000+ members) where the giving uplift justifies the cost. See our Pushpay vs Rehost comparison.
4. Church Center (Planning Center) - Best system Play
Price: Free (with Planning Center subscription) | Custom app: Limited | Code ownership: No
If your church already uses Planning Center for operations (check-ins, groups, registrations, giving), Church Center is the natural extension. The app pulls data directly from your existing Planning Center modules, meaning zero duplicated effort.
Why switch from Tithe.ly: smooth integration with Planning Center's powerful back-end. But the app itself offers very limited customization, no denomination-specific features, and the branding is shared with Planning Center. It's more of an operational tool than a member engagement platform.
5. Custom Development - Maximum Flexibility
Price: $50,000–200,000 upfront + $2,000–5,000/month maintenance | Code ownership: Yes
For mega churches with 5,000+ members and highly specific needs, hiring a development agency to build a completely custom app delivers maximum flexibility. You get exactly what you want, designed to your specifications.
Why switch from Tithe.ly: Total control over every feature and pixel. But the cost, timeline (6–12 months), and ongoing maintenance make this impractical for 95% of churches. Rehost delivers a similar result at $250/month with no upfront cost.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Tithe.ly | Rehost | Subsplash | Pushpay | Church Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free–$149 | $150 | $300–500+ | $500–1,000+ | Free* |
| Code ownership | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Custom branded app | Paid only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Denomination-specific | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Giving integration | Native (strong) | Integrated | Yes | Best-in-class | Yes |
| Sermon library | Yes | Yes | Yes (best) | Basic | No |
| Push notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Prayer wall | Basic | Yes | No | No | No |
| Long-term contracts | None | None | Annual | Annual | None |
*Church Center requires a Planning Center subscription ($0–299/month depending on modules)
Which Alternative Is Right for Your Church?
- Outgrowing Tithe.ly's free tier: Rehost at $250/month - you get a custom-coded, denomination-specific app with code ownership for nearly the same price as Tithe.ly's paid tier ($149/month)
- Want the most polished template: Subsplash - premium feel, but $300–500+/month with no code ownership
- Giving is everything: Pushpay - best giving conversion, but $500–1,000+/month
- Already on Planning Center: Church Center - free and integrated, but limited customization
- Mega church with unique needs: Custom development or Rehost for a managed solution
Explore denomination-specific solutions: Evangelical · Baptist · Methodist · Pentecostal · Presbyterian · Lutheran · Episcopal
Related: Tithe.ly vs Rehost: Side-by-Side Comparison | Best Subsplash Alternatives | Shoutem vs Rehost | Pushpay vs Rehost
FAQ
Is Tithe.ly free really free?
The basic app and giving platform are free to use. However, Tithe.ly charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction on all donations - this is their primary revenue model. For a church receiving $10,000/month in digital giving, that's approximately $290/month in processing fees. The free app is basic and carries Tithe.ly branding, not your church's brand.
What's the best Tithe.ly alternative for small churches?
For small churches (under 200 members), Church Center is a good free option if you already use Planning Center. For churches ready to invest in a truly custom experience, Rehost at $250/month delivers a fully branded, denomination-specific app with code ownership - for essentially the same price as Tithe.ly's paid tier.
Can I migrate from Tithe.ly to another platform?
Yes. Tithe.ly allows you to export giving data and some member information. Sermon content and app configuration don't transfer. Rehost handles the content migration as part of onboarding at no additional cost, making the transition as smooth as possible for your congregation.