c-SPOT

c-SPOT is a self-hosted service-planning and presentation app for churches, especially those that want to manage songs and event details in one place. It is a capable free option for technically equipped congregations, but the Apache requirement for synchronized presentations narrows its fit.

Overview

c-SPOT covers Sunday and midweek services as well as other events. Teams can organize orders of service, staff, resources, worship songs and event information, then use the same workspace to prepare presentation materials. That breadth suits churches looking to coordinate both planning and worship content without paying a software fee.

The trade-off is that c-SPOT is not a hosted service: the congregation runs it on its own web host. Installation calls for console access, Composer, Git, a database and configured mail-server connectivity. Churches without someone comfortable managing those requirements may find the free price less compelling than a hosted alternative.

Key features

Service and song planning

Orders of service, staff assignments, resources and song lists sit alongside other event information. Participant assignments help teams coordinate who is involved, while role-based permissions let users add or change information according to their access. The first registered user automatically receives administrator rights that cannot be revoked, so a church should choose that account deliberately.

Song materials include lyrics, music scores and guitar chords, with OnSong format support for musicians. c-SPOT also tracks song usage for CCLI reporting and links to SongSelect. These tools make it useful for congregations that want song preparation and service planning connected, though the SongSelect integration is through links rather than a broader integration claim.

Presentations and collaboration

Songs and other service items can become slides, with locally cached slides available offline. A slideshow can be controlled through a casting device such as Chromecast or a smartphone synced to the presentation device. Synchronized lyrics, chords or sheet music across designated devices work only on Apache servers, a material constraint for churches using another server setup.

Users can exchange emails or internal messages, and role-based permissions help limit who sees or edits selected information. This combination supports coordination within the app, but the church remains responsible for hosting and configuring it.

Pricing

Free and open source: free. There is no hosted plan or stated usage cap. This is the natural fit for churches able to install and maintain the software themselves; the lower cash cost comes with hosting and setup responsibilities rather than a managed service.

Platforms

c-SPOT is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted use, web and Windows. Its responsive web front end runs on devices with an up-to-date browser and JavaScript, and the web app can be added to a mobile home screen through Chrome. These options make browser access broad, but do not remove the need to run the service on a web host.

Who it's for

Choose c-SPOT if your church wants service schedules, song materials, participant assignments and presentations together, and has the technical capacity to self-host. It is less suitable for congregations seeking a hosted setup or synchronized presentation on a non-Apache server.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free and open source, with no hosted plan or usage limit stated; combines event planning, song materials and slides.
• Pros: Supports offline slides, role-based permissions, participant assignments and CCLI song-usage tracking.
• Cons: Installation requires server access and several development and infrastructure components, including a database and mail-server connectivity.
• Cons: Synchronized presentation across devices is limited to Apache servers, and the initial administrator account cannot be demoted.

Alternatives

Worship Planning Software is a useful directory starting point for comparing options. Choose OnStage if you prefer a freemium app with a free trial and a Starter tier capped at five members, 200 MB storage and five events per month, with reminders, chat, annotations and PDF song imports. WorshipTools Presenter is a better fit when a free cloud-based presentation plan is appealing: it includes 500 MB storage, 10 users, 15 items per service and unlimited services and songs.

AssemblyFlow may suit congregations of 50 or fewer members that want its free full app for a main worship assembly with one operator. Planning Center is worth comparing if its free Calendar, People or Services modules match the church's needs; the Calendar plan includes one room, People offers an unlimited database and reporting, and Services includes five team members. Assemblea offers a web-based free tier for up to 50 members and two users, with finances and giving capped at 50 entries a year alongside inventory, meetings and voting.

Ministry Planner is another web option, with free tools allowing one tool per church account; its scheduling tool supports one team and up to 1,000 volunteers, while event planning supports one active event and up to 1,000 people. ServeFlow: Worship Planner is a free alternative for iPhone and iPad users who want an English-language app. EcclesiaFlow is a web-based freemium alternative with a free Core plan that requires no credit card.

Verdict

c-SPOT is a strong choice for a small church that wants service planning, song resources and presentations in one free, self-hosted system and can manage the technical setup. Its combined planning and worship toolkit is the main reason to choose it; look elsewhere if you need hosted software or synchronized presentations without an Apache server.