c-SPOT

c-SPOT is a free, open-source workspace for churches coordinating services, participants, worship music and presentations. It suits congregations with someone able to operate a web server and maintain a self-hosted application. The strongest case is an all-in-one planning and presentation system without licence fees; the decisive drawback is that synchronized presentation features work only on Apache.

Overview

c-SPOT covers Sunday services, midweek gatherings and other events in one system. It combines orders of service with staff, resources, worship-song lists and wider event information, so a church can plan the running order and the people and materials behind it together. Participant assignments make it useful for coordinating responsibilities rather than merely storing a schedule.

This is self-hosted software, not a managed online subscription. Installation requires console access to a web server, Composer, Git, a database and working mail-server connectivity. A responsive front end runs on devices with an up-to-date browser and JavaScript, and Chrome can add the web application to a phone or tablet home screen. Those requirements make c-SPOT a sensible fit for a technically capable church, but a poor choice for a congregation seeking vendor-managed setup and maintenance.

Key features

Planning, permissions and communication

Teams can maintain service orders, staff assignments, resources and event details, with role-based permissions controlling who may add, modify or see particular information. Users can exchange emails or internal messages, keeping operational communication alongside planning. The first registered account receives administrator rights that cannot be revoked, so the church should choose that initial account carefully and treat it as a permanent control point.

Song library and presentation

The song tools handle lyrics, music scores and guitar chords, with OnSong format support for musicians. Songs and other service items can be turned into slides, and slides cached to a local computer can be shown offline. A Chromecast-type casting device or a smartphone synced with the presentation computer can control the slideshow, which gives volunteers alternatives to a dedicated presentation console.

There is an important infrastructure boundary. Synchronized display of lyrics, chords or sheet music across designated devices is stated to work only on Apache servers. Churches running another web-server stack can still value the planning and local presentation functions, but should not assume the synchronized workflow will be available. c-SPOT also tracks song use for CCLI reporting and connects to SongSelect through links, useful for churches already working with those services rather than a replacement for their accounts.

Pricing

Free and open source — free. c-SPOT has no hosted plan or stated usage limits. The price removes per-user and subscription budgeting, and the source can be cloned, customized and run on the church's own host. The saving comes with operational responsibility: the church supplies hosting, installation, database, mail connectivity and ongoing administration. Development customization requires basic Laravel knowledge, so this plan is best for congregations with technical support or a willing administrator, not for buyers who want support bundled into a fee.

Platforms

c-SPOT is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, the web and self-hosted deployments. In practice, the browser front end is the common route across those platforms, provided the device has a current browser and JavaScript. Mobile home-screen installation makes the web application feel more app-like, while presentation control can use a smartphone or casting hardware. Apache is required for synchronized lyrics, chords or sheet music across devices.

Who it's for

Choose c-SPOT when a small church wants service planning, participant assignments, song materials and slides in one free system and can run its own web host. It is particularly attractive to congregations that need OnSong-compatible material, offline cached presentations or role-based collaboration without a software charge. Look elsewhere when no one can handle server installation, when hosted support is a priority, or when synchronized presentations must run on a non-Apache server.

Pros and cons

Pro: Service orders, staffing, resources, songs and event data share one planning workspace.

Pro: Lyrics, scores, chords and OnSong files support different musician workflows.

Pro: Cached slides allow offline presentation, with Chromecast or smartphone control options.

Pro: Open-source self-hosting permits customization without licence fees or stated usage caps.

Con: Installation depends on console access, Composer, Git, a database and mail-server configuration.

Con: Synchronized presentation across devices is limited to Apache servers.

Con: The first registered user has non-revokable administrator rights, requiring care when creating the initial account.

Con: Development customization calls for basic Laravel knowledge.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of worship-planning tools, see Worship Planning Software.

OnStage is the better fit for a hosted freemium approach: its free Starter plan supports up to five members, 200MB of storage and five events per month, with reminders, chat, annotations and PDF song import.

WorshipTools Presenter suits churches focused on presentation across desktop platforms, offering a free plan with 500MB cloud storage, 10 users, 15 items per service and unlimited services and songs.

AssemblyFlow is aimed at congregations of 50 or fewer members, with a free full app for the main worship assembly and one operator.

Planning Center is preferable when a church wants a hosted ecosystem with free Calendar, People and Services offerings and a free trial.

Ministry Planner offers web-based freemium tools, including free scheduling for one team and up to 1,000 volunteers.

WorshipTeam.com is a paid, hosted option with a five-user subscription at $14 a month and a free trial.

Planning is a paid service with a 15.00 USD-per-month Solo plan covering one planner, unlimited helper accounts, teams, services and file storage.

ServeFlow: Worship Planner is a free iPhone and iPad option.

Verdict

c-SPOT is a strong choice for a technically equipped church that wants broad service and song planning, role-based teamwork and presentation tools at no software cost. Choose it for control, customization and offline-capable presentations; choose a hosted alternative if server administration is beyond the congregation or Apache-only synchronization conflicts with its infrastructure.