Free parenting apps for separated parents: what is really free in 2026
Reviewed 7 October 2026 · Every price checked on the provider's own pricing page that day · UK and Ireland
If you are looking for free parenting apps because you have separated, the apps you need are co-parenting apps: one shared place for messages, the children's schedule, costs and documents, used by both of you from two homes. (Parenting apps also include baby trackers and screen time controls. This page is about the separated parent's kind.)
"Free" means very different things across these apps. Some are free for both parents with no time limit. Some are free only for a trial. Some charge each parent separately. We checked seven of them on their own pricing pages so you can see which is which.
Which co-parenting apps are free in 2026
| App | Free plan? | What you pay for | Who pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| ParenThing | Yes, for both parents, with no time limit | Premium (expenses, payment requests, maintenance, mediation and reports): £10.99 a month or £109.99 a year in the UK, €12.99 or €129.99 in Ireland | One Premium plan covers the whole family |
| Beacon | Yes, free (Ireland) | Optional extras such as court-ready record downloads, courses and mediation | Everyday use is free for both parents |
| BestInterest | Yes, a free plan with no expiry | Shared scheduling, calling, uploads and reports are on paid plans from US$9.99 a month | Priced in US dollars |
| AppClose | No free plan since 1 January 2026; 60-day trial | €6.99 a month on the web or €9.99 in the app (Ireland); fee waivers if you qualify | One all-inclusive plan |
| TalkingParents | No free plan; 30-day trial | US$7, US$16 or US$32 a month | Each parent has their own plan |
| OurFamilyWizard | No free plan | From €99.99 a year in Ireland or £107.99 a year in the UK, per parent; free or discounted for parents in financial need | Two subscriptions per family (one parent may pay for both) |
| 2houses | No free plan; 14-day trial | €99 a year | One subscription for the whole family |
Two apps that many parents still think of as free are not any more: AppClose ended its free tier on 1 January 2026, and TalkingParents ended its free plan on 30 March 2026. Both now charge after a trial, with fee waivers for some parents. Older articles and app listings may still describe them as free.
What "free" should mean when you are co-parenting
What is free in ParenThing
Free, for both parents and with no time limit: messages, the shared calendar, documents, tasks, the child wellbeing check-in, the journal and packing lists, and connecting a professional such as a mediator or solicitor. Premium adds expenses, payment requests, maintenance, mediation and reports, and one Premium plan covers the whole family.
ParenThing is built in Ireland for families in Ireland and the UK, and your data is kept in the EU. If you need a record for court or mediation, a connected professional prepares it; connecting one is free on every plan.
In Ireland, Beacon is also free and Irish-built, and worth a look. Pick the one you and your co-parent will both actually open.
Common questions
Are there any free parenting apps for separated parents?
Yes. On 7 October 2026, ParenThing, Beacon and BestInterest all had a free plan with no time limit. ParenThing's free plan covers messages, the shared calendar, documents and tasks for both parents. Beacon is free and built for Ireland. BestInterest has a free plan, with shared scheduling and calling on paid plans priced in US dollars.
Is AppClose still free?
No. AppClose ended its free tier on 1 January 2026. It now has a 60-day trial and then one paid plan, with fee waivers for parents in financial hardship and survivors of domestic violence.
Do both parents have to pay for a co-parenting app?
It depends on the app. OurFamilyWizard and TalkingParents need a plan for each parent. 2houses uses one subscription per family. ParenThing is free for both parents, and if you upgrade, one Premium plan covers the whole family.
Is ParenThing free?
Yes. Both parents can use ParenThing free with no time limit. Premium, for expenses, payment requests, maintenance, mediation and reports, is £10.99 a month in the UK or €12.99 a month in Ireland, for the whole family.
Try ParenThing free
Free for both parents, with no time limit. One Premium plan per family if you need it. Built in Ireland, data kept in the EU.
Get the appRelated
ParenThing is not affiliated with the other apps named on this page. Prices and plans were read from each provider's own pricing page on 7 October 2026 and can change; please check each provider's current terms before deciding. This page is general information, not legal or financial advice.