Best Co-Parenting Apps UK: OurFamilyWizard vs 2Houses

Quick overview

• OurFamilyWizard and 2Houses are two of the best-known co-parenting apps UK parents use to manage child arrangements across two homes
• Both offer calendars, messaging, expense tracking and document storage
• OurFamilyWizard starts at £107.99 a year per parent; 2Houses charges one subscription per family after a 14-day trial
• Free options have changed in 2026: TalkingParents, AppClose and 2Houses no longer have free plans, while ParenThing offers a free plan for both parents with no time limit
• Choose based on your budget, whether you need court-ready records and which features matter most to your family

What are co-parenting apps and why do UK parents need them?

Coordinating two households after separation can feel overwhelming. The co-parenting apps UK families rely on are digital platforms designed to simplify shared parenting by keeping communication, schedules and expenses in one secure place.

These apps reduce conflict by creating clear records of conversations and agreements. They help separated parents stay organised without constant text messages or difficult phone calls. Records from these platforms can also be used as evidence in family court proceedings in England and Wales, which can help if disagreements arise.

Around 4 in 10 marriages in England and Wales end in divorce, according to the Office for National Statistics (see our partners’ summary of the UK divorce rate). When children are involved, reliable tools for managing day-to-day arrangements can make the transition smoother for everyone.

Comparing the top two co-parenting apps: OurFamilyWizard vs 2Houses

OurFamilyWizard and 2Houses are both widely used in the UK, but they suit slightly different needs. Understanding their features, costs and limitations helps you choose the right platform for your family.

OurFamilyWizard: the court-recognised option

OurFamilyWizard launched in 2001 and has become the most widely recognised co-parenting app in the UK legal system. Many family solicitors and mediators recommend it because its records are designed to be used as evidence.

Key features:

• ToneMeter and Writing Assistant tools that flag or help reword tense messages before sending
• Secure messaging with timestamped records
• Shared calendar for parenting time, school events and activities
• Expense tracking with receipt uploads
• Information bank for medical records, school reports and important documents
• GPS-verified check-ins at changeovers
• Free access for solicitors, mediators and other professionals

Pricing (UK, September 2026):

• Essentials: £107.99 a year per parent (around £9 a month)
• Premium: £155.99 a year per parent
• Max: £215.99 a year per parent
• Each parent needs their own subscription, although one parent can pay for both
• Full refund within the first 30 days, rather than a free trial
• Fee waivers are available for parents in financial hardship

Strengths: The tone-checking tools stand out. They analyse your message and suggest edits if it reads as aggressive or inflammatory. This can stop arguments escalating and keeps interactions focused on the children.

OurFamilyWizard records are regularly used in family proceedings in England and Wales. If you are worried about documenting communication for possible court proceedings, this platform offers that peace of mind.

Limitations: The cost adds up, especially if money is tight after separation. At over £215 a year for both parents on the entry plan, it is a significant expense. The interface can feel less modern than some newer apps, though it remains reliable.

2Houses: one subscription for the whole family

2Houses launched in Belgium in 2011 and has grown steadily in the UK. Its biggest difference from OurFamilyWizard is that one subscription covers everyone.

Key features:

• Shared calendar with colour-coding for each parent
• Messaging with photo and document sharing
• Expense manager with automatic splitting calculations
• Information library for contacts, medical information and school details
• Photo albums for sharing moments with both households
• Access for children, third parties and mediators on the same account

Pricing (September 2026):

• 14-day free trial
• One paid plan per family, around £127 a year (listed in US dollars, so check the exact UK price when you sign up)
• One parent subscribes and both parents, the children and any third parties get access
• 2Houses no longer shows a free plan on its pricing page

Strengths: The family-wide subscription is helpful when financial circumstances differ between households, as one parent can cover the cost for both. The interface feels modern and intuitive, and the photo album feature helps children feel connected to both homes.

Limitations: 2Houses records are not as established in family courts in England and Wales as OurFamilyWizard’s. While the app timestamps communications, it has not built the same legal standing in family proceedings. If documentation for court is a priority, this could be a deal breaker. With the free plan gone, you will also need to pay after the trial.

Feature-by-feature comparison

Calendar and scheduling

OurFamilyWizard:

• Parenting schedule clearly shows which parent has the children
• Add school events, medical appointments and activities
• Parenting time change requests handled in the app
• Notifications for new or changed events
• Recurring events for regular commitments

2Houses:

• Visual calendar with different colours for each parent’s time
• Import events from external calendars
• Automatic schedule patterns
• Request schedule changes through the app
• Children can view their own schedule

Winner: Tie. Both handle scheduling well, though 2Houses offers slightly more visual customisation.

Communication tools

OurFamilyWizard:

• Tone-checking before messages are sent
• All messages are timestamped, with first-viewed times shown
• Messages cannot be deleted once sent, which prevents disputes over who said what
• Threaded conversations keep topics organised
• Professionals can view message history if you grant access

2Houses:

• Standard messaging with file and photo attachments
• No tone analysis feature
• Cleaner interface for everyday conversations
• A less formal feel that may suit lower-conflict situations

Winner: OurFamilyWizard. The tone tools and permanent record-keeping give better conflict management.

Expense tracking

OurFamilyWizard:

• Upload receipts directly to expense entries
• Categorise costs (medical, education, clothing, activities)
• Calculate splits based on agreed percentages
• Track reimbursement requests and payments
• Export expense reports

2Houses:

• Add expenses with photo receipts
• Automatic calculation of each parent’s share
• Track who owes whom and running balances
• Simpler categorisation
• Export expense summaries

Winner: OurFamilyWizard, for more detailed tracking and reporting.

Document storage

Both apps offer secure storage for important documents, including medical records, school reports, passports and consent forms. OurFamilyWizard provides more structured organisation, with unlimited storage on its Premium and Max plans.

Third-party access

OurFamilyWizard:

• Solicitors, mediators and family consultants can have free professional access
• Useful during ongoing legal proceedings
• Professionals can view communications without taking part

2Houses:

• Third parties and mediators can be added to the family account
• Less built around professional monitoring
• Better suited to parents managing things between themselves

Winner: OurFamilyWizard, as it is designed for situations involving legal professionals.

Which co-parenting app should UK parents choose?

Your choice between these co-parenting apps UK families use depends on your circumstances, budget and relationship with your co-parent.

Choose OurFamilyWizard if:

• You are involved in court proceedings or expect future disputes
• Your solicitor or mediator has recommended a court-recognised platform
• Communication is high-conflict and would benefit from tone checking
• You need professionals to see your interactions
• Detailed expense tracking and reporting matter to you
• Your budget allows for £107.99 or more per parent each year

Choose 2Houses if:

• Your co-parenting relationship is relatively amicable
• Court-ready records are not a priority
• You prefer a modern, intuitive interface
• One parent will cover a single subscription for the whole family
• Photo sharing appeals to you

A real-world example

Sarah and Tom separated after 12 years of marriage, with two children aged 8 and 10. Their relationship stayed civil, but they struggled with miscommunication about pickup times and activity costs.

They tried the 2Houses free trial, then took out a single family subscription. The shared calendar stopped the confusion about who had the children when, and the expense tracker helped them split activity costs fairly without awkward conversations.

When Tom remarried and disagreements arose over holiday arrangements, their mediator suggested switching to OurFamilyWizard. The tone tools helped keep messages focused on the children. When they later returned to court over holiday arrangements, the documented messages gave a clear picture of their attempts to cooperate.

Other co-parenting apps worth considering

While OurFamilyWizard and 2Houses are well established in the UK, other co-parenting apps suit different needs.

ParenThing

• Built in Ireland, available in the UK
• Free plan for both parents with no time limit (message and storage limits apply)
• One optional Premium plan per family
• Includes child wellbeing check-ins and a private child journal
• Data hosted in the EU under GDPR
• Newer, so less established in family courts

Cozi Family Organizer

• Free family calendar and shopping lists
• Not designed specifically for separated families
• Good for basic schedule coordination
• Lacks record-keeping features for court
• Suitable for very amicable co-parenting

AppClose

• US-based platform with features similar to OurFamilyWizard
• Free tier ended in early 2026, replaced by a 60-day free trial with no card needed
• Paid subscription after the trial, with lower prices on the web than in the app
• Free accounts available for parents in financial hardship and survivors of domestic abuse

TalkingParents

• Unalterable, court-admissible records, similar to OurFamilyWizard
• Certified records service for legal proceedings
• Free plan ended on 30 March 2026, so a paid subscription is now needed
• 30-day free trial on some plans, with fee waivers for financial hardship
• Popular in the US, with plans from around £5 a month per parent (billed in US dollars)

Getting started with co-parenting apps

Step 1: Assess your needs

Think honestly about your co-parenting relationship. Do you communicate well, or does every conversation escalate? Are you in court proceedings or mediating privately? Your answers show which features matter most.

Step 2: Try before you buy

Most co-parenting apps UK parents use let you test them first. OurFamilyWizard offers a full refund within 30 days, 2Houses has a 14-day trial, AppClose has a 60-day trial and ParenThing has a free plan with no time limit. Test the interface, calendar and messaging before committing.

Step 3: Discuss it with your co-parent

An app works best when both parents agree it is needed. Frame it positively: “This will help us stay organised and reduce misunderstandings.” If your co-parent is reluctant, starting with a free option can lower the barrier.

Step 4: Set clear guidelines

Agree how you will use the app together:

• Response times for messages (24 to 48 hours is reasonable)
• What belongs in the app and what warrants an urgent phone call
• How you will handle expense submissions and reimbursements
• Rules about tone and respectful language

Step 5: Stick with it

The first month can feel awkward while you adjust. Give it time. Many parents find the app becomes second nature within a few weeks.

Legal recognition and court acceptance

Family courts in England and Wales increasingly accept evidence from co-parenting apps, but how much weight it carries varies by platform and by case.

OurFamilyWizard has the strongest reputation. Its records are regularly used in family proceedings, and because messages cannot be deleted or edited after sending, they give a reliable picture of communication patterns.

Judges are generally comfortable with digital evidence, such as message records showing one parent’s attempts to cooperate. Admissibility is not automatic, though. Your solicitor may need to explain how the records were produced and why they could not have been altered.

Newer platforms may face more questions, as some judges will be less familiar with them. If you are using a less-established app and expect court proceedings, talk to your legal representative early.

Privacy and data security

When choosing co-parenting apps UK families can trust, data security matters. You are sharing sensitive information about your children, finances and household.

OurFamilyWizard security:

• Data encrypted in transit and at rest
• Regular security audits
• GDPR compliant
• Two-factor authentication available

2Houses security:

• SSL encryption for all data
• European servers (GDPR compliant)
• Regular backups
• Privacy policy states data is not sold to third parties

Both platforms meet reasonable security standards. No system is completely secure, however, so avoid sharing highly sensitive details such as passwords or full bank account information, even in secure apps.

Tips for using co-parenting apps well

Getting a co-parenting app is just the start. Using it well takes practice.

Keep communication child-focused

Every message should relate to your children’s wellbeing, schedule or needs. Personal grievances and criticism of the other parent do not belong. If a tone checker flags your message, rewrite it.

Instead of: “You’re always late picking them up. This is typical of your lack of responsibility.”

Try: “The children were ready at 6pm as agreed. Can we confirm pickup times to help them prepare?”

Respond promptly, but not instantly

You do not need to reply within minutes. Taking time over a response prevents reactive arguments. Aim for 24 to 48 hours for non-urgent matters. Genuine emergencies warrant a phone call, not an app message.

Keep everything in one place

Use the app for all co-parenting communication, even quick questions. “Can Jake bring his football kit to yours?” should go through the app. This builds a complete record if disputes arise later.

Be consistent with expenses

Upload receipts weekly rather than in bulk months later. This avoids arguments about forgotten costs and makes reimbursement smoother.

Use the calendar fully

Add everything: parents’ evenings, doctor appointments, birthday parties, football practice. The fuller the calendar, the fewer misunderstandings about the children’s commitments.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using several communication methods

Pick the app as your main channel and stick with it. Mixing texts, emails, WhatsApp and the app creates confusion and incomplete records.

Venting in messages

The app is not a diary. Anything you write could be read in court, so keep emotions out of it.

Ignoring your co-parent’s messages

Even if you feel angry or frustrated, respond to reasonable requests about the children. Courts look unfavourably on a parent who blocks communication.

Forgetting children’s privacy

As children get older, they may see these platforms. Do not write anything you would not want them to read about themselves or the other parent.

Cost comparison: are co-parenting apps worth it?

Here is how the costs of these co-parenting apps UK parents rely on compare in September 2026. Prices change often, so check each provider’s pricing page before you sign up.

App	Who pays	Free option	Starting price	Key value
OurFamilyWizard	Each parent	No (30-day refund, fee waivers)	£107.99 a year per parent	Court recognition
2Houses	One per family	14-day trial	Around £127 a year per family	One subscription for everyone
ParenThing	One per family (Premium)	Yes, free plan with no time limit	Free, or around £113 a year for Premium	Free for both parents
AppClose	Paid subscription	60-day trial, fee waivers	Check current UK price	Long free trial
TalkingParents	Each parent	No (free plan ended 30 March 2026)	From around £5 a month per parent	Certified records

Compare these costs with the legal fees that poor communication can lead to. Solicitor’s letters and court hearings can quickly run into hundreds or thousands of pounds.

From this perspective, spending £100 to £200 a year on an app that reduces conflict and documents cooperation can be good value, and a free option is worth trying first if your situation is amicable.

How co-parenting apps fit with other support

Co-parenting apps work best as part of a wider support system.

Mediation

Your mediator might recommend a specific app, and some mediators draw on app records during discussions. Ask which platforms they are familiar with. Services like family mediation with Mediate UK often work alongside digital co-parenting tools.

Legal support

If you are working with a solicitor, ask how they prefer to receive app records, such as PDF exports or professional access to your account.

Financial planning

Export expense reports from your app to a spreadsheet to help with budgeting for shared child costs.

Therapy and counselling

If you or your children are accessing support, the shared calendar helps coordinate appointments across households.

The future of co-parenting technology

The co-parenting apps UK families use keep evolving.

AI features

Newer platforms are using AI to:

• Suggest calendar entries based on past patterns
• Categorise expenses automatically
• Offer communication coaching beyond simple tone checks
• Spot potential scheduling clashes

Tamper-proof records

Some developers are exploring technology such as blockchain to create communication records that courts could verify independently.

Links with schools and GP surgeries

Future apps might connect with schools and GP surgeries, adding appointments and sharing reports with both parents at the same time.

Child-friendly features

Platforms are developing age-appropriate spaces that let children view their schedules and, in some apps, share how they are feeling with both parents.

FAQ: co-parenting apps UK

Do both parents need to pay for OurFamilyWizard?

Yes. Each parent needs their own subscription, starting at £107.99 a year on the Essentials plan. One parent can pay for both, and some parents agree who covers the cost as part of their financial settlement. Fee waivers are available for parents in financial hardship.

Is there a free co-parenting app in the UK?

Yes, but the choice has narrowed in 2026. TalkingParents, AppClose and 2Houses no longer have free plans. ParenThing offers a free plan for both parents with no time limit, and general family organisers like Cozi are free but not built for separated parents.

Can I use a co-parenting app if my ex refuses?

Apps work best when both parents take part. You can still use one to record your attempts to communicate and share information. Keep a record of declined invitations to join, as this shows your efforts to cooperate.

Are messages in co-parenting apps admissible in UK courts?

OurFamilyWizard records are regularly used as evidence in family courts in England and Wales. Records from other platforms may need more explanation about how they were produced. Always ask your solicitor how best to present app records.

What happens to app records if I stop paying?

Policies vary between apps. Before cancelling any subscription, export the messages, calendar entries and expense records you might need later.

Can my children use co-parenting apps?

Some platforms offer child accounts with limited, age-appropriate access. Children can usually see their own schedule but not adult conversations about finances or legal matters.

Do co-parenting apps work outside the UK?

Yes. OurFamilyWizard and 2Houses both operate internationally, so the app keeps working if one parent moves abroad.

How long should we use a co-parenting app?

Some families use one until their children turn 18. Others stop once communication improves and trust rebuilds. There is no set timeline, so continue for as long as the structure helps your family.

Finding the right app for your family

Choosing between the co-parenting apps UK parents use comes down to your situation:

• OurFamilyWizard suits high-conflict situations, ongoing court proceedings and parents who need court-recognised records
• 2Houses suits families who want one shared subscription and a friendly interface
• ParenThing suits parents who want to start with a free plan for both of them
• All of them improve organisation compared with scattered texts and emails
• Trials, refunds and free plans let you test an app before committing
• These tools support, but do not replace, help from mediators, solicitors and counsellors

The right app will not fix a difficult co-parenting relationship on its own. It gives you structure, clear records and calmer communication to support your efforts to put your children first. Together with guidance from organisations like Cafcass and a shared commitment from both parents, it can make the practical side of shared parenting feel much more manageable.