The Family Directory uses a real relational database.
That makes it possible to support many many different contact groups, without having redundant data. If someone updates their email address, then even seconds later when you choose to send an email to the group this person is part of, the email will be correct.
The Family Directory has to support access by mulitple family members all of whom might access the system at the same time.
So, it is more than just storing a big database, it is also managing multiple user access simultaneously.
We don’t have any ads, nor offer any in-app purchases.
We not only have the cost of our database and hosting system, we also have to pay to be on the App stores, since a free app doesn’t make Apple any money.
If your extended family is of any size at all, I guess you spend more on one little part of a family reunion, than the total annual cost of this Family Directory.
This is pennies per member per month. Worth it we hope.