Comparison
CoParent Circle vs AppClose
AppClose is a popular free co-parenting app for splits and scheduling. If you're a low-conflict household it's fine — but the moment you need a court-defensible record, the missing pieces start to show up.
Why co-parents switch from AppClose
- Same free tier — better record properties. CoParent Circle's free plan covers calendar, messaging, and basic expenses with immutable history and timestamped logs.
- Court-ready report exports built in. Date-ranged PDF or CSV covering messages, schedule, expenses, and documents — designed for mediators, attorneys, and judges.
- Per-case professional access with role controls. AppClose has no dedicated professional surface.
- Full audit log on Pro. Every access by a co-parent or professional is recorded with actor, timestamp, and target.
Side-by-side comparison
Honest, current, and updated when either product ships new functionality.
| Feature | CoParent Circle | AppClose |
|---|---|---|
Free plan | ||
Paid tier | $12/mo Pro · $24/mo Family | Free + paid add-ons |
Shared custody calendar | ||
Calendar change requests (accept / counter / deny) | ||
In-app messaging | ||
Immutable message history (no edits, no deletes) | ||
Tone-check on outgoing messages | ||
Expense splits & reimbursements | ||
Upcoming-expense coordination | ||
Document vault with access controls | ||
Court-ready PDF / CSV reports | ||
Immutable audit log of all access | Pro plan | |
Per-case, per-resource professional access | ||
Native iOS & Android apps | PWA + native (in TestFlight) |
Switching from AppClose
There's no structured export from AppClose, so switchers typically screenshot or PDF-print the conversations they want to preserve, archive the file with their attorney, and start a fresh log in CoParent Circle. The cleaner break is usually worth it — you're trading a partial record for a complete one going forward.
FAQ
Why are people looking for an AppClose alternative?
AppClose is free and popular for casual splitting and scheduling, but the record-keeping properties co-parents and attorneys often need (immutable history, full audit log, structured court-ready exports) are less robust than purpose-built court-friendly tools. CoParent Circle keeps the free-plan accessibility of AppClose while adding the evidentiary rigor of OFW-class platforms.
Is CoParent Circle also free?
Yes. The Free plan covers calendar, messaging, and basic expenses for one Circle — the same surface area most AppClose users actually use day-to-day. Pro ($12/parent/month) and Family ($24/month flat) add unlimited professional access, full audit log, change requests, and more storage.
Does CoParent Circle handle expense splits like AppClose?
Yes — default split rules per item, override on individual expenses, upcoming-expense coordination so you settle before the bill hits, running balances, and one-click settlements. The big addition over AppClose: the entire expense log is part of the same court-ready report your messages and calendar live in.
Can my attorney see only what I share?
Yes. CoParent Circle has per-case, per-resource access controls: you can grant view-only or commenting access to messages, calendar, expenses, documents, recordings, notes, or audit independently. AppClose doesn't have a structured professional-access model.
Try CoParent Circle free
Free plan covers calendar, messaging, and basic expenses. No credit card.