Churches need a streaming platform that is reliable enough for weekly use, simple enough for volunteers to operate, and affordable enough for a church budget. Here is what to look for.
Free vs paid platforms
YouTube and Facebook Live are free and easy to set up, but they show ads, recommend competing content, and give you no control over the viewer experience.
Dedicated church streaming platforms and general-purpose PPV platforms give you control, branding, and donation support, but at a cost. The trade-off is reach versus control.
Donation and giving support
Look for platforms that support donation links alongside the stream. Some platforms integrate with church giving platforms like Tithe.ly or Pushpay for seamless online giving during the service.
At minimum, the platform should let you include a donation link on the event page that viewers can click during or after the stream.
Ease of use
Church streaming is often operated by volunteers who may not be technically experienced. The platform should be simple to use: create an event, start the stream, stop the stream. No complex configuration.
Platforms that support one-click "Go Live" from a mobile app are ideal for churches where the volunteer base rotates frequently.
Simple, affordable church streaming
PassCast Community is free to use and simple enough for any volunteer. Stream your services, collect donations, and build your online ministry.
Get started free