by Kevin T. Lake & Ryan L. Munro

 

Co-parenting in today’s world often means juggling busy schedules, sharing important updates, and keeping communication clear — all while navigating the emotional complexities of raising children across two households. Thankfully, there are a variety of co-parenting apps designed to make this process smoother, more organized, and less stressful. Below is a review of some of the most widely used co-parenting apps available in 2025.  My partner and I focus on our own experiences with these apps keeping one thing in mind the attorney's time spent interacting with the app.     Frequently professionals will point out that an app is "free" or "cheap" as a selling point; however, if the app creates confusion with your co-parent, or adds time to your attorney fees when your lawyer experiences difficulty or delays in obtaining the data in the app, it can actually be much more expensive.   The below rankings do not contain every app available and does not cover all the features available, rather they are only our own opinions after uses in many cases over many years as a family lawyers practicing in Missouri.  We have no financial relationship or ownership interest in any of the below apps and were not asked to write this review.  These programs are constantly changing their prices and features so do your research and discuss with your attorney all options before you decide.  

1. OurFamilyWizard

Best for: Low-Conflict to High-Conflict cases where professionals need access to comprehensive documentation OurFamilyWizard has been around for years and is one of the most recognized co-parenting tools. It offers features like a shared calendar, expense tracking, messaging with a “ToneMeter” to flag potentially inflammatory language, and secure document storage. Many family courts recommend or even require its use in high-conflict cases.

 

Pros:

• Court-accepted documentation (varies by state)
• ToneMeter helps reduce misunderstandings
• Strong security and data backups
• Easy access for lawyers and professionals
• Accountability features and tracking for all account additions and changes

Cons:

• Annual subscription may be considered pricey compared to free, but there are definite savings when it comes to the amount of time a professional spends getting information from the app
• Interface feels slightly dated compared to newer apps
• Phone call feature is not always reliable
• No Free option

 

2. TalkingParents

Best for: Secure, tamper-proof communication records

TalkingParents focuses heavily on providing unalterable records of all communications between co-parents. It offers secure messaging, call recording, and a shared calendar. This makes it especially valuable in high-conflict situations where documentation is critical.

 

Pros:

• Free Option
• All communication is time-stamped and unalterable
• Call and video recording options
• Court-trusted recordkeeping

Cons:

• Limited non-communication features compared to all-in-one apps
• Pay-per-use fees for call and video features
• Costs for obtaining information from app so what is free to use, is not free to use outside the app.   Also adds time for professionals to use adding cost

 

3. AppClose

Best for: Free option with strong features

AppClose is a free co-parenting app that offers many of the same tools as paid options — including calendars, expense tracking, and secure messaging. It also has a “Requests” feature to handle schedule changes and reimbursements in an organized way.

Pros:

• Completely free with no hidden costs
• Easy-to-use, modern interface
• In-app document scanning and storage

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced reporting features for legal use
• Occasional syncing delays between devices
• Difficult and inconsistent access for lawyers and professionals (added time = expense)

 

4. 2Houses

Best for: International or bilingual co-parenting

2Houses offers a well-rounded toolset including shared calendars, journals for important notes, expense management, and messaging. It stands out for its multilingual support and currency conversion, which can be helpful for families living in different countries.

Pros:

• Multilingual platform with currency tools
• Detailed expense reporting
• Attractive, clean interface

Cons:

• Requires monthly subscription
• Slightly steeper learning curve for setup
• Not as easy for professionals to obtain information from app

 

5. Cozi

Best for: Families with cooperative co-parenting relationships

Cozi is not designed specifically for separated parents, but its shared family calendar, to-do lists, and shopping lists make it a favorite for parents who communicate well and just need help staying organized.

Pros:

• Free basic version with affordable premium option
• Great for managing activities, chores, and meal plans
• User-friendly design

Cons:

• No built-in legal documentation or message monitoring
• Limited conflict-resolution features

 

 

Side-by-Side Comparison Chart

App Name	My Ranking	Best For	Price Range	Key Features	Standout Feature
OurFamilyWizard	1	court-involved cases, Low-Conflict to High-Conflict cases Secure, tamper-proof communication	$ – $$$	Calendar, expenses, ToneMeter, secure storage	ToneMeter for message tone review
TalkingParents	2	Secure, tamper-proof communication	Free – $$$	Messaging, call/video recording, calendar	Unalterable, court-admissible records
AppClose	3	Free option with robust tools	Free	Calendar, expenses, requests, doc storage	100% free with many premium-like features
2Houses	4	International or bilingual families	$	Calendar, journals, expenses, multilingual	Multilingual & currency conversion
Cozi	5	No-Conflict to Low conflict cases where organization is the main goal and Cooperative co-parenting is assumed	Free – $	Calendar, to-do lists, shopping lists	Great for general family organization

 

Choosing the right co-parenting app depends largely on your specific situation and level of cooperation. For high-conflict or court-involved cases, OurFamilyWizard or TalkingParents are strong options with ease of use in favor of OurFamilyWizard.  If you want a no-cost but functional option, AppClose stands out.  For families that simply need to coordinate smoothly, Cozi may be all you need.   The best co-parenting tool is the one both parents consistently use — because the right app can help keep your focus where it belongs: on your children’s well-being.