Co-parenting and family apps compared (2026).

OurFamilyWizard

A paid co-parenting app built around a documented record: a parenting-time calendar, messages that can't be changed, expenses and payments, calls and certified records.

Best for: Parents under a court order, or in a high-conflict situation, who need a record a court can rely on.

• Custody calendar: Yes A parenting-time calendar. Source
• Asking for a change or swap: Yes Requests to change parenting time, on Essentials and up. Source
• Messages between parents: Yes Messages can't be edited, deleted or taken back. Writing help on some plans. Source
• Records for court: Yes PDF records on Essentials and up; certified records on Premium and up. Source
• Calls: Yes Video and audio calls. Recording and transcripts on the Max plan. Source
• Shared costs: Yes An expense log, plus payments through OFWpay in the US. Source
• Kids' details (medical, school, sizes): Yes An Info Bank for medical history, school details and emergency contacts. Source
• Others in the kids' lives: Yes Free accounts for family members and others close to the kids, and separate access for lawyers and mediators. Source
• Works if the other parent never joins: Not stated Its site doesn't say which features work before the other parent joins. Source
• Other calendars: Partly Brings in Google, Apple and Outlook calendars. Sending events back out isn't described. Source
• Lists, meals and chores: No No shopping lists, meals or chores listed. Source
• Where it runs: Yes iPhone, Android and web. Source

Luraio and OurFamilyWizard, side by side

TalkingParents

A co-parenting app whose messages, calls and payments make records that can't be changed, with a digital signature and an authentication code.

Best for: Parents who need tamper-proof records and recorded calls, especially when a court is involved.

• Custody calendar: Yes A shared calendar for custody schedules and appointments. Source
• Asking for a change or swap: No No request-and-accept step. Each event can be changed only by the parent who made it. Source
• Messages between parents: Yes Messages can't be edited or deleted, with timestamps and read receipts. Writing help on the top plan. Source
• Records for court: Yes Unalterable records with a digital signature and an authentication code, as PDF or printed. Source
• Calls: Yes Phone and video calls without sharing your number, with recordings and transcripts. Source
• Shared costs: Yes Request, send and receive payments, with a fee that depends on the plan. Source
• Kids' details (medical, school, sizes): Yes An Info Library for sizes and medical information. Source
• Others in the kids' lives: Partly No accounts for others are described. Files can be shared by a link that expires. Source
• Works if the other parent never joins: No Both parents' accounts need to be matched before either can start. Source
• Other calendars: Partly Sends its calendar to Google Calendar. Apple isn't mentioned. Source
• Lists, meals and chores: No No lists, meals or chores listed. Source
• Where it runs: Yes Web, iPhone and Android. Source

Luraio and TalkingParents, side by side

AppClose

An all-in-one co-parenting app with one plan that includes everything: custody calendar, requests, messages, calls, expenses and payments, and records, plus a Solo Mode.

Best for: Parents who want records, calls and payments in one flat-priced plan, including when the other parent won't join.

• Custody calendar: Yes 15 ready-made custody schedules or your own, per child. Source
• Asking for a change or swap: Yes Requests for pickups, drop-offs and parenting time, with tracked answers. Source
• Messages between parents: Yes Time-stamped, and no one can edit or delete a message. Co-Parent Assist suggests calmer wording. Source
• Records for court: Yes Free exports of chats, calls, expenses and requests; certified business records in the US. Source
• Calls: Yes Audio and video calls. Recording and transcripts need everyone's consent. Source
• Shared costs: Yes Expense tracking and reimbursement requests, with payments in the US. Source
• Kids' details (medical, school, sizes): Yes A Co-Parent Hub for school contacts, medical details, allergies and emergency numbers. Source
• Others in the kids' lives: Yes Circles for partners, extended family, lawyers, mediators and childcare, with permission settings. Source
• Works if the other parent never joins: Yes Solo Mode sends requests, events and expenses by text or email to someone without the app. Links expire after 10 days. Source
• Other calendars: Not stated Syncing with Google or Apple isn't described on its homepage. Calendars can be shared with people outside the app. Source
• Lists, meals and chores: Not stated No lists, meals or chores described. Source
• Where it runs: Yes iPhone, Android and web, in 8 languages. Source

Luraio and AppClose, side by side

BestInterest

A co-parenting app for high-conflict situations that screens hard incoming messages, coaches the tone of yours, and has a Solo Mode that works without the other parent.

Best for: A parent dealing with hard messages from an ex, including an ex who won't use an app.

• Custody calendar: Yes A shared custody calendar. Source
• Messages between parents: Yes Screens incoming messages for harmful content and checks the tone of yours. Source
• Records for court: Yes A timestamped journal and reports with a certificate of authenticity. Source
• Works if the other parent never joins: Yes Solo Mode filters messages through a BestInterest number, so the other parent doesn't need to join. Source

2houses

A co-parenting organizer with a shared custody calendar, change requests, expenses, messages, an info bank and a family journal, on one subscription for the whole family.

Best for: Parents who share the organizing and want one price that covers the whole family.

• Custody calendar: Yes A shared custody calendar. Source
• Asking for a change or swap: Yes Ask to change the schedule; the other parent approves or suggests another time. Source
• Shared costs: Partly Expense tracking with a running balance and monthly statements. No payments in the app. Source
• Other calendars: Partly Subscribe to its calendar from Google, Apple or Outlook. Source

Cozi

A family organizer for one household: a shared color-coded calendar, shopping and to-do lists, and a recipe box with meal planning.

Best for: One household keeping its calendar, groceries and meals in one place.

• Custody calendar: Partly A shared, color-coded family calendar. No custody schedule tools. Source
• Asking for a change or swap: No No request-and-answer step. Source
• Messages between parents: No No messaging between parents. Source
• Records for court: No Not offered. Source
• Calls: No Not offered. Source
• Shared costs: No Not offered. Source
• Kids' details (medical, school, sizes): No No place for kids' medical or school details. Source
• Others in the kids' lives: Partly Everyone in the household shares one family account, each with their own sign-in. Source
• Works if the other parent never joins: Yes Built for one household, so no second parent is needed. Source
• Other calendars: Yes Shows Google, iCloud and Outlook calendars, and shares Cozi calendars out by link. Both directions are read-only. Source
• Lists, meals and chores: Yes Shopping and to-do lists, checklists, and a recipe box with meal planning. Source
• Where it runs: Yes iPhone, Android and web. Source

Luraio and Cozi, side by side

FamilyWall

A family organizer with a shared calendar, lists, a family messenger, meal planner, budget, documents and location sharing.

Best for: One household, or a wider family circle, that wants calendar, lists, messages and location in one app.

• Custody calendar: Partly A shared family calendar. No custody tools. Source
• Others in the kids' lives: Partly Members of a family circle, and you can have more than one circle. Source
• Other calendars: Partly Google and Outlook sync on Premium. Source
• Lists, meals and chores: Yes Shopping and to-do lists, meal planner, recipes and timetables. Source

Skylight

A touchscreen calendar for the wall, with a phone app, that shows one household's calendars, chores, lists and meals.

Best for: A household that wants the week, the chores and the lists on the kitchen wall.

• Custody calendar: Partly A family calendar. No custody tools. Source
• Others in the kids' lives: Partly Two households can link screens, but they share everything or nothing. Source
• Other calendars: Yes Syncs Google, Outlook, Apple, Cozi, Yahoo and any calendar link. Source
• Lists, meals and chores: Yes Chores and routines, lists, and meal planning on Plus. Source