Madefor: an alternative to ChurchTrac
If you want your church's app on your own server, under your own name, with a private social feed and no ads, Madefor is an alternative to ChurchTrac. ChurchTrac provides church management software, including a member app, as a hosted service. Madefor takes a different approach: a custom, privately hosted social app for churches, clubs, schools and community groups.
Two ways to run your community's app
A hosted platform and your own private app solve the same problem in different ways.
A hosted platform
- Runs on the provider's servers, alongside many other organizations
- Your members' data lives in the provider's systems, under its policies
- The provider sets the product, its roadmap and its terms
- Can bundle other tools — such as giving or church management — in one service
Your own app with Madefor
- Runs on a server you own, or one hosted privately for you alone
- Native iPhone and Android apps under your name, logo and colors
- A private social feed, groups, chat and events at the center
- No ads, no algorithm, no data selling
- You decide who can see, post and manage each page
What Madefor is built for
Your server, your data
Madefor runs on a machine you own, or one we host privately for your community alone. Member data is never shared or sold.
Your name on the app
Members download a native iPhone and Android app with your name, logo and colors.
A social app, not just a bulletin
A feed with posts, photos, comments and reactions, plus groups, chat, events and announcements.
You decide who sees what
Roles and permissions for every page, managed by your leaders inside the app — with “View as” to check.
When another platform may fit better
We would rather you choose the right tool than the wrong one.
- You mainly need church management — donor records, accounting, child check-in, volunteer scheduling — in one system. A dedicated church management system is built for that; Madefor focuses on the community app.
- You rely on a large marketplace of integrations or plugins.
- Your team already knows its current tools well and they meet your needs — switching always has a real cost.
Questions
Is Madefor affiliated with ChurchTrac?
No. ChurchTrac is a trademark of its owner. Madefor is an independent product, and this page describes our approach — not theirs.
How is Madefor different from ChurchTrac?
Madefor is a private social app that runs on a server your church owns, or one hosted privately for you, under your own name. For details of ChurchTrac's current features and pricing, check their own website.
Who owns the data?
With Madefor, your church does. Posts, messages, prayer requests and member details live in your own database and are never shared or sold.
Do we need an IT person?
No. We set up and maintain the server, or host it privately for you. Your leaders only use the app.
What does it cost?
It depends on your community's size and needs. Send a request and we'll give you a clear answer, with no obligation.
Your community's own app.
Tell us about your community and we'll talk it through. No obligation.
Request your app