Co-parenting apps can help with communication, scheduling, and sharing of information with your co-parent. Common features include:
A shared calendar to show time spent with each parent, future plans, and upcoming events
Messaging facility, with options to record calls and texts
Sharing information such as expenses and reports
Some apps are free, others require a paid subscription. It's a good idea to try at least a couple, to see which suits your needs and situation. Below we have collated a comprehensive list of co-parenting apps, with links to their websites and their descriptions of key features.
AppClose
£: free
"Simplify your parenting schedule, make audio and video calls, share expenses, make payments, and maintain secure text communication.
"Messenger:
Reliably text the same way you always have with anyone connected to AppClose and enjoy the convenience of having all of your parenting communications in one location! This includes the ability to group chat, communicate with your attorney confidentially, and export any communications between you and your contacts if needed for any reason. Additionally, and in order to keep accurate records between parents, chat conversations between co-parents cannot be altered or deleted (unless both parents delete their AppClose account).
"Audio & video calling:
With audio & video calling, you can hear, see, and talk to other users in real time, no matter where you are, when both parties enable audio/video calling!
Have a quick question?
Running late for pick up?
Need to discuss an important topic related tо the kids and it’s too much to text?
Just open your app and call! AppClose automatically documents every attempted, missed, and completed call in case you ever need it. Don’t want to receive calls? No problem. Just keep your audio/video calling features disabled and you’ll never receive unwanted calls.
"Requests:
Need to be reimbursed for medical expenses or extracurricular activities? Need to change a drop off time or swap parenting days?
Submit your requests to the other parent or a third party through AppClose and get notified immediately when your request is approved, paid, or declined. Scanning receipts or attaching documentation related to requests is easy and can be done exclusively by using the app! AppClose even facilitates payments through ipayou, our built-in payment solution, making it easy to stay on top of financial obligations.
"Expenses
Get paid and send payments for expenses within seconds using ipayou, our secure, built-in payment solution! From activities to medical expenses, it’s a lot to keep track of, especially when child-related expenses are often split between two households."
Talking Parents
Pricing: Free option (website version only), paid version £23 p/month.
"TalkingParents is the all-in-one communication platform that co-parents rely on to stay organized, reduce conflict, and keep interactions documented. Whether you’re looking to coordinate more seamlessly, set boundaries, or keep co-parenting on the record and off your mind, TalkingParents is here to help you focus on what matters most: your children."
"Secure Messaging
Keep discussions focused and straightforward with messages and read receipts that are timestamped, documented, and can’t be edited or deleted."
"Shared Calendar
Stay in sync with your co-parent by managing custody schedules and coordinating your child’s appointments and activities in one shared space."
2houses
Pricing: £12.42 p/month
"Co parent calendar:
A calendar for everyone, getting organised when you’re divorced is a priority. 2houses provides you an online shared schedule, with many editing, adding, and sync features."
"An easy and simple management of expenses.
For us, as divorced parents, the financial topic is most of the time a conflict topic. Now, 2houses manages all expenses from each parent, keeps you informed on the situation, day after day, coins after coins."
"Custody journal
Separated parents doesn’t mean fragmented family. The journal allows you to share any information, news, pictures, videos or even co parenting quotes. Thanks to the 2houses journal, even if they are with the other parent, your children will never be far.'
Fayr
Pricing: Free option, paid version from £10 p/month.
"The app for a better co-parenting experience.
At Fayr, we get it: separation is hard. Which is why we are making co-parenting after divorce as painless, transparent and fair as possible."
"Developed by a divorced dad to help his family as well as the 55 million separated and co-parenting adults in the US, Fayr will help you communicate constructively, eliminate burdensome legal fees and documentation, and free up your time and resources for what matters most: your children."
"Fayr helps you keep track of: expenses, scheduling, messaging and location. Bottom line? This means less to disagree about, less money spent on lawyers and less time spent in court."
"Not only that, Fayr also helps you communicate constructively, diffuse arguments, receive emotional support and discover opportunities to grow as a co-parent."
Our Family Wizard
Pricing: From £107.99 p/year, with means-tested discounts.
"Streamline your parenting schedule, shared expenses and communication"
"Calls:
Documented video and audio calling creates a safe, secure place where you, your co-parent and your child can communicate in real time. Whether for scheduled call time or casual conversations, it's a safe and secure way to stay connected when you are apart.
You can choose when you are reachable via Calls—you can turn consent on or off at any time."
"Messages
Unlike traditional email or texting, OurFamilyWizard messaging creates a secure platform for communication between parents. Feel confident in your records with the knowledge that messages can never be edited, deleted or retracted.
Plus, tools like ToneMeterâ„¢ can help to commit to keeping your communication positive and productive."
"Calendar
Confusion over scheduling causes unnecessary conflict for many families. But with the OurFamilyWizard Calendar, you can trust that everyone is always on the same page.
Track your parenting schedule, share appointment details and easily submit requests for changes to parenting time."
Cozi
Pricing: free option
Although not specifically aimed at separated parenting, some clients have found this app useful.
"Cozi is the must-have organizer for families. It helps coordinate and communicate everyone’s schedules and activities, track grocery lists, manage to do lists, plan ahead for dinner, and keep the whole family on the same page."
"Family Calendar:
See what everyone is doing and where everyone needs to be with a shared, color-coded calendar
Set reminders and send agenda emails so no one misses an appointment
Organize activities, meetings, school schedules, lessons, practices, and games all in one place"
Summary - co-parenting apps and Online Mediation
Many separated parents only use standard text-messaging or an app such as WhatsApp to communicate. Sometimes a specialist co-parenting app can be useful, depending on your circumstances and needs.
At Online Mediation, we will help you discuss your options together and reach an agreement in your mediation session. As always in mediation, we will provide information and guidance, and the final decision will be for you both as parents.
Our information is impartially provided: we are not affiliated or commercially linked to any co-parenting app company. We provide the links for your convenience so you can look at your co-parenting app options, current pricing, and make a decision based on your situation and needs.
We will amend or remove links to a co-parenting app in light of feedback we hear from our clients, so please do contact us if you have a concern or poor experience with a company mentioned in this co-parenting app article.
To discuss issues around child arrangements, communication, or reaching an agreement, please get in touch, we are here to help.