Comparison
CoParent Circle vs AppClose
AppClose spent years as the free option for splits and scheduling, and it covers the daily basics well. Its free plan ended at the start of 2026, which changes the comparison — here's an honest read of where each app stands now.
Why co-parents switch from AppClose
- 01The free plan moved. AppClose retired its free tier in 2026; CoParent Circle's free plan still covers calendar, messaging, and expense tracking with an immutable, timestamped log.
- 02Exports a court can check: hash-anchored chain, digitally signed PDFs, and Bates-numbered motion packets, not just a records download.
- 03Per-resource professional access: grant a mediator the calendar and expenses without opening every message thread, and see every access in the audit log.
- 04Order-compliance ledger and structured dispute resolution — adherence to your actual order terms tracked with dates, before anyone files a motion.
Side-by-side comparison
Honest, current, and updated when either product ships new functionality.
| Feature | CoParent Circle | AppClose |
|---|---|---|
Free plan | Retired in 2026 | |
Paid pricing | $9.99 Essentials · $19.99 Pro · $34.99 Pro Household · $39.99 Family | One prepaid all-inclusive plan (1 or 2 years) |
Shared custody calendar | ||
Custody schedule templates | ||
In-app messaging | ||
Timestamped, unalterable message record | ||
Tone-check before sending | Pro & Family | |
Expense tracking with receipts | ||
Written split agreements & partial payments | ||
Reimbursement requests | ||
Document vault with per-doc access controls | ||
Journal / notes | ||
Audio & video calling | Minutes by plan | Unlimited |
Multiple co-parenting circles | Family plan | |
Downloadable records for court | ||
Date-ranged PDF / CSV court report | Pro & Family | |
Hash-anchored, independently verifiable exports | ||
Bates-numbered motion-ready packets | ||
Order-compliance ledger | ||
Immutable audit log of all access | Pro & Family | |
Per-case, per-resource professional access | ||
Full Spanish product & site | ||
Native iOS & Android apps | PWA + native (in TestFlight) |
Switching from AppClose
AppClose doesn't publish a structured message export, so switchers typically download or print the records they want to preserve, archive them with their attorney, and start a fresh log in CoParent Circle. The two records sit side-by-side, each covering its own date range.
FAQ
Is AppClose still free?
No. AppClose was free for years, but it retired its free plan at the start of 2026 and now sells one all-inclusive prepaid plan in one-year or two-year terms — check their pricing page for the current rate. CoParent Circle still has a genuine free plan, plus paid tiers if you need court-grade output.
Why do people look for an AppClose alternative?
Two reasons today. The first is the retired free plan. The second is evidence depth: AppClose keeps timestamped, unalterable messages and downloadable records, but CoParent Circle adds a hash-anchored chain you can verify independently, digitally signed exports, Bates-numbered motion packets, and an order-compliance ledger tied to your actual order terms.
Is CoParent Circle really free?
Yes. The Free plan covers calendar, messaging, and expense tracking for one Circle. Paid options start with Essentials at $9.99/month; Pro is $19.99 per parent, with optional Pro Household shared billing at $34.99 and Family at $39.99.
Does CoParent Circle handle expense splits like AppClose?
Yes — both apps log expenses by category with receipts and let you request reimbursement. CoParent Circle adds written split agreements, partial payments, running balances per agreement, and an expense ledger that exports inside the same court report as your messages and calendar.
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 the audit log independently. AppClose lets you connect and communicate with an attorney and share a calendar or journal entries, but not a per-resource access grant for the whole case.
Try CoParent Circle free
Free plan covers calendar, messaging, and basic expenses. No credit card.