Why Use TalkingParents Over Other Co-Parenting Platforms

Why co-parents should use TalkingParents over communication services like OurFamilyWizard, AppClose, Cozi, and more.

• 5 min read
• custody

The complete solution for co-parents, TalkingParents offers the most robust selection of features with the flexibility that parents with shared custody desperately need. Having an application that keeps all interactions organized, documented, and siloed to one place streamlines communication, encourages accountability, and gives co-parents peace of mind.

TalkingParents also has the most accessible, straightforward, and user-friendly Records system. Unalterable Records is a standalone feature that allows you to request Electronically Certified PDF Records from right within the app, or you can request Printed Records straight from the website. With our service, you do not have to contact support or dig for information about obtaining a certified copy of your Records.

TalkingParents provides the most cost-effective all-in-one solution. We offer a plan that is completely free to all co-parents and includes essential tools like timestamped messaging and a Shared Calendar. We also have two paid subscriptions with different tiers of features, so each family unit can decide which plan works best for their needs and budget. Our subscriptions are billed monthly, so either parent can change plans at any time without being locked into an annual fee. Learn more about each plan and pricing here.

Why use TalkingParents over OurFamilyWizard

OurFamilyWizard bills users annually, meaning you do not have the option to pay for your subscription on a monthly basis. This forces users to pay a large sum up front and then continue paying large sums with each billing cycle. At TalkingParents, our subscriptions are billed monthly, giving you the ability to pay small fees over time. Our Standard plan is only $12 per subscription per month, and our Premium plan is just $27 per subscription per month.

At TalkingParents, we offer a Free Plan that is available to all co-parents, regardless of your need or ability to prove it. Though OurFamilyWizard offers a fee waiver, users must fill out an application and provide supporting documentation to prove their need. In most cases, OurFamilyWizard says users must be working with legal aid, receive certain forms of government assistance, or have an attorney doing pro bono work for them to qualify for a fee waiver.

In order for OurFamilyWizard users to receive certified copies of their records, they must contact support to request a business records affidavit. Payment of standard minimum fees for authenticated records include a minimum search and retrieval fee of $20, a flat certification fee of $20, and a per-page copying fee of $0.18 per page. Once payment is complete, OurFamilyWizard will mail the business records affidavit to the user. With TalkingParents, you can easily request a certified copy of your PDF Records directly from the feature within the app or on the website. If you are on our Standard or Premium Plans, you have free access to unlimited Electronically Certified PDF Records, which are available almost immediately. If you are on our Free plan, it costs just $49.99 to email unlimited copies of any PDF Record for up to 24 hours. You also have the option to request Printed Records through our website. Click here for a one-to-one comparison of OurFamilyWizard and TalkingParents.

Why use TalkingParents over AppClose

There is no web version of AppClose, meaning users must download the app in order to access their account. With TalkingParents, our Standard and Premium plans give you access to your account through the website and mobile app, and our Free Plan gives you access through the website.

Though AppClose does offer an audio and video calling feature, calls are not recorded, and call transcripts are not available. TalkingParents is the only co-parenting platform that gives you the ability to have recorded phone and video calls, thus creating a complete immutable record of communication. Additionally, we are the only co-parenting platform that offers call transcripts.

AppClose markets their service as free, however, they do charge a fee for business records affidavits. These are only available to users upon written request and pricing could not be found online. AppClose says when their records are exported and presented as evidence in court, courts have deemed AppClose records admissible when properly authenticated. A member of the AppClose support team says, “Generally speaking, we believe that business records accompanied by a business records affidavit that conforms to the requirements of the federal or state court in which the proceeding occurs should be admissible. Our form of business records affidavit has been used in response to subpoena requests in multiple states. We charge a $150 flat fee to help cover subpoena response costs." Click here for a one-to-one comparison of AppClose and TalkingParents.

Why use TalkingParents over Cozi

Cozi is a family organizer, and while some co-parents use this platform, it is not geared towards families in shared parenting situations. Cozi lacks many of the tools that parents look for in a co-parenting service, such as a messaging feature, calling feature, shared payments feature, records feature and more. Cozi users have a shared account and login for the entire family, and the account can be deleted by anyone with this information at any time. If you are looking for a co-parenting service that provides accountability through unalterable forms of communication and coordination, Cozi is a non-option. Click here for a one-to-one comparison of Cozi and TalkingParents.

Why use TalkingParents over other common co-parenting services

Other common co-parenting platforms on the market today do not offer full-service solutions to parents with shared custody. CoParenter and 2Houses do not offer audio or video calling, Peaceful CoParenting Messenger is for messaging only, OnWard is solely meant for coordinating expenses, and many of WeParent’s features (i.e. the calendar, schedules, and library) are alterable, allowing users to edit/delete things within these tools. WeParent also lacks audio and video calling.

TalkingParents provides the most extensive collection of co-parenting resources of any shared parenting platform out there. Our Parenting Resources page, social media channels, webinars, newsletters, and partnerships are specially curated to give the co-parenting community free access to important information surrounding custody, divorce, child development, health & wellness, finances, education, family law, and more.