Separation is hard. With kids it is harder still.

Whether it’s emotional or financial, we get it.

For this reason we’ve put together a list of free co-parenting apps to help you and your ex raise your kids with less conflict and more common ground.

CO-PARENTING APPS WITH A FREE VERSION

Cozi

Create shared calendars and to-do lists, share photos and recipes with family, and communicate with your co-parent via the Cozi app. It’s easy to use and completely free (with ads). While not strictly a co-parenting app, it has everything you need to organize family schedules between two homes.

Available via: Apple, Android
Which bit is free: Free to use all features (with ads)
Best features: Completely free, one account for all family members

Famcal

Famcal is mainly a calendar and scheduling app that lets separated families share events, tasks, and notes all from one convenient place. We like the colour-coded organizer that identifies each family member. The free version is very basic and you need to upgrade to premium to access features like shared contacts and event tracking.

Available via: Apple, Android
Which bit is free: Shared family calendar, memos, tasks and notifications
Best features: Easy to use, ability to create tasks and lists

MyMob

MyMob is the totally free co-parenting app created by Stepfamilies Australia and Drummond Street Services. It comes with a shared calendar, contacts storage, wish lists, messaging with profanity filter, and a virtual fridge to post photos and notes. Many separated families use it because of court mandates.

Available via: Apple, Android
Which bit is free: All features are free to use
Best features: Feature-packed scheduling and collaboration app

Appclose

Appclose is another completely free co-parenting app that has tools normally found only on paid apps. It lets you organize schedules and communicate with family members via the messaging feature. You can also create a shared parenting plan and track and settle payments.

Available via: Apple, Android
Which bit is free: All features are free to use
Best features: Built in payment tracking and settlement

TimeTree

TimeTree is one of the simplest co-parenting apps on our list. It’s easy to organize family, school and work schedules and communicate with family members. You can chat right from the event calendar, share notes and lists, and create multiple schedules.

Available via: Apple, Android, Web
Which bit is free: Calendar, messaging and collaborating
Best features: User-friendly app for collaborating

CO-PARENTING APPS WITH A FREE TRIAL

Our Family Wizard

Our Family Wizard is one of the most robust co-parenting apps available. It lets you manage child custody schedules, track parenting time, and manage spending. All communication is recorded for divorce proceedings. If you need professional help, useful resources like divorce lawyers and counselling are at your fingertips.

Available via: Apple, Android, Web
Which bit is free: All features free to try for 30 days
Best features: Extensive co-parenting app with access to legal and mental health professionals

WeParent

WeParent is another extensive co-parenting app that has everything you need to organize daily life as a separated family. Manage appointments and custody schedules, send messages to your private group, and organize contacts and documents from one app.

Available via: Apple, Android
Which bit is free: All features free to try for 14 days
Best features: All-in one co-parenting and tracking tool with access to support team

2Houses

2Houses covers the basics and throws in advanced features to make co-parenting hassle free. Features include comprehensive information sharing with the 2Houses Journal where you can share news, photos and videos, detailed expense tracking, wish lists, and an advanced management calendar.

Available via: Apple, Android, Web
Which bit is free: All features free to try for 14 days
Best features: Scheduling, expense tracking and messaging

Custody Connection

Mainly a calendar app, Custody Connection syncs custody schedules between two homes. The useful Trade Request feature lets you communicate with your co-parent if you need to swap custody days. It records accepted and declined requests and updates both calendars automatically.

Available via: Apple
Which bit is free: All features free to try for 30 days
Best features: Scheduling app for busy co-parents

Coparently

Coparently makes co-parenting less stressful with a bunch of nifty features: shared calendar, journal, contacts, medical records, and expense tracking. You can add your kids to your calendar for easy communication. The app also supports free accounts for children, guests, and professionals.

Available via: Website
Which bit is free: All features free to try for 30 days
Best features: Custom calendars and free accounts for legal, family and mental health professionals

Parentship

Parentship is a co-parenting app for all types of families, including step families, relative-led care, and joint custody arrangements. The custom calendar makes scheduling a breeze. You can also track spending and important documents like medical and legal records.

Available via: Apple, Android
Which bit is free: All features free to try for 1 month
Best features: Custom calendars and document tracking

Copilots

The child-focused CoPilots app is perfect for separated families who need more than a scheduling tool. CoPilots features messaging, common calendars, parenting scheduler, photo sharing, and a child’s journal. The best part is that multiple adults or caretakers can use the app and track children’s schedules without extra fees.

Available via: Apple, Android
Which bit is free: All features free to try for 30 days
Best features: Multiple adults can access kids’ schedules and use features without extra charges