Overview of the Best Co-Parenting Apps

When you’re co-parenting there’s so much to communicate beyond the calendar basics, check out these co-parenting apps and what to look for when deciding which co-parenting app to use.

When I separated from my husband almost ten years ago, my children were four and five. Communication and co-parenting apps didn’t exist back then. 

If they did, we didn’t know about them, and neither did anyone who helped us through our divorce. 

As I researched for this article, I’m amazed to see how helpful these apps can be for co-parents. 

Almost all co-parenting apps have a few things in common (calendar and messaging service), but some cost money while some offer free plans. 

Related: Common Co-Parenting Pitfalls From a Family Lawyer

What to look for in a co-parenting app

Overall, here is a list of the standard offerings in a co-parenting app and what you should expect and possibly look for: 

  1. A shared calendar for you and your co-parent
  2. A messaging service you can use in place of text messages. The messages should not be able to be altered or deleted by either party. 
  3. Most of the time, the messages can be exported and used in a court case. If this is important to you, check with the app you’re considering to make sure this offering comes with your plan. 
  4. An expense journal can help if one of you is supposed to be reimbursed for childcare or doctor visits. 
  5. A private journal where you can keep notes and your co-parent will have their own private journal.
  6. A photo vault where the two of you can pass photos back and forth.
  7. Information bank to store emergency contact information. 

Related: Should I Change My Last Name After My Divorce?

Breakdown of the most popular co-parenting apps

Our Family Wizard

Our Family Wizard is one of the most popular co-parenting apps. When I asked why my readers why they liked it so much, their answers were because each party pays for their own, it has a “tone” meter in the messages, and it allows parents to swap time with each other.

  • Court approved in all 50 states
  • Calendar
  • Message board, messages cannot be deleted or altered
  • Schedule changes and check-ins
  • Expense log
  • Info bank for important info such as insurance info or emergency contact info
  • Fee waiver program for people in need of financial aid
  • a place to put the children’s clothing sizes
  • Plans start at 99/year

Related: How to Help Your Child of Divorce with Separation Anxiety

TalkingParents

TalkingParents is another popular co-parent app and this one has a free option if you use the browser version.

  • Records every message, text, call
  • Shared calendar
  • Unalterable records
  • Info library
  • Journal for notes
  • There is a free version for use on your browser
  • For text notifications or to use on the app, you can upgrade starting at 5.99/month

Related: Co-Parenting with a Narcissist: Coping and Protecting Your Children

AppClose

  • Free!
  • Calendar
  • Messenger – conversations cannot be altered
  • Send requests for schedule changes or payments for dr bills to 3rd party apps
  • Track expenses
  • Export info
  • Upload scanned documents

Custody X Change

Custody X Change appears more focused on helping you create a legal parenting plan and tracking late and missed visits.

  • Scheduling
  • Parenting plan
  • Journal
  • Expenses
  • Free version if you don’t want to print, export, or calculate

Related: 6 of the Best Children’s Books on Divorce to Comfort Your Child

2Houses

  • Calendar
  • Messages – export, print, cannot alter or delete
  • Info bank
  • Photo album to share
  • Track expenses
  • Custody journal
  • 12.50/month

Cozi & Google Calendar

Often, when discussing co-parenting apps, Cozi and Google Calendar will appear. I didn’t review either of these as they aren’t co-parenting apps. 

These apps are simply calendars that you can share your events with other people and invite them to add their events to. 

An actual co-parenting app will do more than assist you with your calendar. It will eliminate some of your communication issues, alleviate concerns over tracking expenses, and even help you submit paperwork to the court. 

Overview of the Best Co-Parenting Apps