Co-parenting · apps
Co-parenting apps: free and paid, compared
A co-parenting app keeps your calendar, messages and shared costs with the other parent in one place, often with messages that cannot be edited[1][2]. Most charge: TalkingParents has needed a paid plan since 30 March 2026[2]. Cozi has a free version, but it is a family organiser in which everyone can edit everything[3].
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01/ What they do
What a co-parenting app does
Co-parenting apps are built for parents who live apart: typical tools, as the apps describe them, are a shared calendar with requests to swap time, messaging, shared expense records and a store for school and medical details[1][2][6].
Several say their messages are timestamped and cannot be edited or deleted, and that records can be downloaded[1][2][7].
Everything below is what each app's own website says, checked on the date at the top of this page. We have not tested the apps, we do not rank them, and prices change: check the pricing page before you sign up.
02/ Compared
Five apps, side by side
| App | Free option | Messages | Calendar and costs | Who pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OurFamilyWizard | Paid plans only; free or discounted places for parents in financial need | Cannot be altered; shows when read | Calendar and expenses | Each parent, £107.99 to £215.99 a year |
| TalkingParents | Paid plan needed since 30 March 2026; fee waivers | Cannot be edited or deleted | Calendar | Each parent; can be on different plans; US dollars |
| AppClose | 60-day free trial; free accounts for those in need | Unalterable, time-stamped | Calendar and expenses | Priced in US dollars |
| 2houses | Trial period | Messaging | Calendar and expenses | One subscription covers the family |
| Cozi | Free version with ads | Not listed | Calendar and lists | Gold is a paid upgrade |
From each app's own pages[1][4][2][7][6][3]. Check each app's pricing page, as prices and terms change.
03/ Each app
What each app says about itself
OurFamilyWizard
OurFamilyWizard's UK site lists a shared calendar with change requests, messages that cannot be altered and show when they were read, expense records, an Info Bank for medical and school details, ToneMeter to flag emotionally charged wording, and calls that do not share your phone number[1].
Its UK pricing page lists Essentials at £107.99 a year, Premium at £155.99 and Max at £215.99[4]. Each parent needs their own subscription, and it offers free or discounted places to parents in financial need[4].
TalkingParents
Since 30 March 2026 TalkingParents has needed a paid subscription, with fee waivers for people who qualify for financial or domestic violence support[2]. Every plan includes secure messaging, a shared calendar, an info library and a personal journal, and its prices are in US dollars[2].
AppClose
AppClose offers every feature free for 60 days, then charges in US dollars, with free accounts for people in financial need and survivors of domestic violence[7]. Its certified records service is only for users in the United States[7].
2houses
With 2houses, one parent's subscription covers the whole family, including both parents, the children and any mediator, and both parents have the same rights on the account[6].
04/ Free options
Free co-parenting apps in the UK
Of the five apps here, Cozi is the one with an ongoing free version, and it is a general family organiser[3]. OurFamilyWizard's pricing page lists paid plans, with free or discounted places for parents in financial need[4]. TalkingParents has needed a paid plan since 30 March 2026[2], and AppClose gives a free trial and free accounts to people in need and survivors of domestic violence[7].
Two tools from official bodies are not messaging apps but may do part of the job: Cafcass's free Our Child's Plan, for agreeing arrangements online[5], and GOV.UK's child arrangements plan service[8]. See the Cafcass parenting plan guide.
05/ Choosing
What to look for
- A record that cannot be changed. OurFamilyWizard and TalkingParents say their messages cannot be altered or deleted[1][2]; in a Cozi account every member can edit or delete anything[3].
- Who pays. OurFamilyWizard charges each parent[4]; 2houses covers the family with one subscription[6]; TalkingParents lets co-parents be on different plans[2].
- Where it is built for. AppClose's certified records are for US users only, and TalkingParents and AppClose price in US dollars[2][7].
- Your phone number. OurFamilyWizard and AppClose say their calls do not reveal it[1][7].
- Keeping it about your child. Cafcass suggests keeping messages about your child separate from the house and money, and never using your child as a messenger[9].
06/ Safety
If there has been abuse
The NSPCC says co-parenting may be difficult or not possible after domestic abuse, and suggests a parenting app to keep communication focused on the child and to a minimum[10]. TalkingParents and AppClose both offer waived or free accounts for people affected by domestic violence[2][7].
An app is not protection: domestic abuse can include online abuse and coercive control[11], and the court can make orders to protect you[12]. See domestic abuse support, and parallel parenting for low-contact arrangements where there is conflict but no abuse.
07/ Messaging
Apps for communicating with the other parent
Look at how each app handles messages if what you mainly need is a calmer way to message. OurFamilyWizard's ToneMeter flags emotionally charged phrases as you write[1]. AppClose and TalkingParents say their messages are timestamped and cannot be changed[2][7].
Cafcass's advice applies whatever you use: keep messages about your child, deal with the house and money separately, and for anything difficult agree a time and place to talk[9]. See co-parenting for more of its tips.
08/ Which one
Is there a best co-parenting app in the UK?
Cafcass's co-parenting advice does not name an app; it asks parents to think about the best way to communicate, because texts and emails can be misinterpreted[13].
Compare the table above against what you need, such as a record neither of you can change, one bill for the family or a shared calendar, and check each pricing page on the day, because terms change: TalkingParents ended free use on 30 March 2026[2].
09/ Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free co-parenting app in the UK?
How much does OurFamilyWizard cost in the UK?
What is a parent communication app?
Which is the best co-parenting app in the UK?
Can messages on a co-parenting app be deleted?
Should I use an app if there has been domestic abuse?
10/ Sources
Sources we checked
- OurFamilyWizard UK — home page
- Plans and pricing — TalkingParents · TalkingParents home page
- Compare plans — Cozi · FAQs — Cozi
- Plans and pricing — OurFamilyWizard UK
- Planning Together for Children Parent Hub — Cafcass · Help in Planning Together for Children — Cafcass
- Pricing — 2houses
- Pricing — AppClose
- Make a child arrangements plan — GOV.UK
- Communicating with your child's other parent after a separation — Cafcass
- How to support children through a separation or divorce — NSPCC
- Domestic abuse: how to get help — Home Office, GOV.UK
- Get an injunction if you've been the victim of domestic abuse — GOV.UK · Form FL401 — HMCTS, GOV.UK
- Resources to help you make arrangements that are in your child's best interests — Cafcass
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12/ Safety first