NOTE: This is an update to an earlier article published June 25, 2025.
Raising children across two households can feel complicated, especially after a separation or divorce. Miscommunication, emotional stress, and conflicting expectations often make everyday parenting tasks harder than they need to be. Without clear systems in place, even simple decisions can turn into sources of tension.
Co-parenting apps are designed to help simplify that chaos. By providing a shared digital space for schedules, messages, and important information, these tools help parents stay organized, create accountability, and reduce unnecessary conflict—regardless of how well they communicate otherwise.
In this guide, we’ll explore how co-parenting apps support healthier parenting dynamics, highlight several reliable options, and share tips for selecting the one that best fits your family’s needs.
Why Use a Co-Parenting App?
Co-parenting apps offer more than just convenience—they can fundamentally change the way you and your co-parent interact. Here’s how:
- Create accountability: Messages are time-stamped and uneditable, reducing “he said/she said” arguments.
- Keep kids out of the middle: All communication happens between parents—no more using your child as a go-between.
- Minimize emotional flare-ups: A digital buffer gives you time to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting in the heat of the moment.
- Provide a neutral platform: These apps serve as judgment-free spaces to communicate and coordinate.
- Support legal needs: Many generate court-admissible records to simplify legal processes.
Pro Tip: If tone is a frequent issue in your communication, choose an app with either a tone filter or tone analysis. If you need more guidance, consider working with a co-parenting coach or mediator.
Co-Parenting App Comparison: Features, Pricing, and Platform Availability
| Apps | Pricing | Free Trial | Platforms | Pros / Cons | When to use |
|
AppClose
|
– Annual Subscription $107 per year beginning in 2026 | Not applicable | iOS, Android |
Pros: Includes calendars and expense tracking Cons: Not designed for legal documentation |
Use this app if you’re managing expenses and schedules and want to avoid subscription fees. |
|
BestInterset
|
– Free basic version – Annual subscription (pricing varies) |
-14 Day Free Trial | -IOS |
Pro: AI-powered message filtering, tone coach, court ready, privacy, boundaries, and control over communication, can use solo Cons: Using the AI tone filter requires using a BestInterest phone number. Parents could still directly text a co-parent at their actual phone number, IOS only |
Best used when communication needs a buffer, boundaries, or documentation to keep things focused on the kids |
|
Cozi
|
– Free basic version – Cozi Gold: $39/year |
14-day free trial for Cozi Gold (web sign-up only) | iOS, Android, Web |
Pros: Simple interface, shared family calendar Cons: Lacks messaging and legal features |
Use this app if your co-parenting relationship is amicable and you just need help managing logistics. |
|
Custody X Change
|
– Starts at $10 month for parents |
Preview Version -30-day money-back guarantee |
Windows, iOS, Android (via browser) |
Pros: Custom schedules, legal prep tools Cons: Not for daily communication |
Perfect if you’re in early separation stages or preparing for court. |
|
OurFamilyWizard
|
– One or two year subscription (pricing varies) – Fee waiver program available for eligible users |
30-day money-back guarantee | iOS, Android, Web |
Pros: Tone meter, shared calendars, court-admissible, video calling and recording Cons: Paid subscription required |
Ideal for detailed record-keeping and structured parenting plans. |
|
Peaceful CoParenting Messenger
|
– Free basic version -$8.99-Month: $59.99- Annual |
14-day trial with Annual Plan | iOS Only |
Pros: Court-admissible messaging, no editing/deleting Cons: Limited features—messaging only, IOS only |
Use this app if communication is often tense and you need clear, respectful exchanges. |
|
Talking Parents
|
– Free basic plan- Essentials: $6/month-Enhanced: $12/month Ultimate: $27/month | 30-day free trial for Enhanced and Ultimate plans | iOS, Android, Web |
Pros: Free messaging, secure records Cons: Interface can feel outdated |
Great if you need clear documentation for legal or personal accountability. |
Top Co-Parenting Apps to Consider
Here’s a look at some of the most popular apps, listed alphabetically—each suited for different parenting challenges.
AppClose 
Best for: Full-featured experience
Pros: Includes calendars and expense tracking
Cons: Not designed for legal documentation
Platforms: IOS, Android
Cost: Annual Subscription $107 per year
Use this app if you’re managing expenses and schedules and want to avoid subscription fees.
Best Interest 
Best for: Boundaries and documentation
Pros: Tone coach, message filtering, free subscription, court-ready, Privacy, boundaries, and control over communication, Can use solo
Cons: AI can feel impersonal/restrictive, message filtering requires giving your co-parent a new phone number, IOS only
Platforms: IOS
Cost: Free Basic Plan or annual subscription (pricing varies)
Use this app when communication needs a buffer, boundaries, or documentation to keep things focused on the kids
Cozi 
Best for: Friendly co-parenting and blended families
Pros: Simple interface, shared family calendar
Cons: Lacks messaging and legal features
Platforms: IOS, Android, Web
Cost: Free to $39/year
Use this app if your co-parenting relationship is amicable, and you just need help managing logistics.
Custody X Change 
Best for: Preparing for or navigating custody arrangements
Pros: Custom schedules, legal prep tools
Cons: Not for daily communication
Platforms: Windows, IOS, Android (via browser)
Cost: Starts at $10/month
Perfect if you’re in early separation stages or preparing for court.
OurFamilyWizard 
Best for: All-in-one solution, court-involved parenting
Pros: Tone meter, shared calendars, court-admissible, video calling
Cons: Paid subscription required
Platforms: IOS, Android, Web
Cost: Varies; 30-day guarantee; fee waiver available
Ideal for detailed record-keeping and structured parenting plans.
Peaceful CoParenting Messenger 
Best for: Reducing communication conflict
Pros: Court-admissible messaging, no editing/deleting, can limit the number of messages per day
Cons: Limited features—messaging only
Platforms: IOS
Cost: Free basic, up to $59.99/year with trial
Use this app if communication is often tense and you need clear, respectful exchanges.
TalkingParents 
Best for: Creating a reliable communication paper trail
Pros: Free messaging, secure records
Cons: Interface can feel outdated
Platforms: IOS, Android, Web
Cost: Free to $27/month
Great if you need clear documentation for legal or personal accountability.
How to Get a Resistant Co-Parent on Board
Convincing your co-parent to use an app can be tricky. Here are a few strategies:
-
- Appeal to logic: “This can help us stay more organized and avoid conflict.”
- Set boundaries: “Moving forward, I’ll only be communicating through [app name].”
- Center the child: “This will keep our child from being caught in the middle or seeing our communication.”
- Offer choices: Suggest two apps and let them pick the one they’re comfortable with.
Even if they say no, you can still use many of these apps on your own to keep things clear and organized.
What to Look for in a Co-Parenting App
Choose an app based on your needs, not the ideal scenario. Some key features to consider:
- Secure, uneditable messaging
- Shared calendars
- Expense tracking
- Tone monitoring
- Court-admissible documentation
- Simple, user-friendly design
- Solo-parent use
If your co-parent refuses to use an app, try one that still benefits you solo. You don’t need two participants to create clarity and reduce stress.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Fit
There’s no perfect app for every co-parenting situation—but there’s definitely one that can help you take a step forward.
-
- High conflict? Try Peaceful CoParenting Messenger or Best Interest
- Legal focus? Try Our Family Wizard, Peaceful CoParenting Messenger, CustodyXChange, or Best Interest
- On a budget? Best Interest, Cozi, Peaceful CoParenting Messenger, and Talking Parents
- Low conflict? Cozi may be all you need.
- All in One Solustions? Family Wizard
Start where you are. Choose the tool that makes your daily parenting life easier—not harder. And remember, your habits matter more than the app itself. Use these tools to model clarity, consistency, and mutual respect.
Have a favorite co-parenting app? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working for you.
Want to read more? Come check out other helpful articles! You can also watch videos offering co-parenting advice at Https://YouTube.com/@TeresaLuse
Want the GO-TO Guide on how to become better co-parents? My book Combative to Collaborative: The Co-parenting Code transforms parents’ interactions so you can achieve what you really want…to raise happy, responsible, caring children without sacrificing your personal peace and happiness.