AppClose

UPDATE Review: I am an active AppClose user and am updating my review in response to the company’s public reply claiming they could not locate an account or that my statements do not reflect how the app functions. To be clear: my review is based on my firsthand experience using AppClose in a court-ordered co-parenting arrangement. Key issues remain: • AppClose was previously free and later shifted core functionality behind a paywall, creating a new, unavoidable expense for users who are required by court order to use the app • Access to reimbursement tracking and record-keeping has changed in ways that directly impact users who rely on documentation for legal purposes • I reached out to support multiple times and received no response, which is especially concerning given the sensitive and high-conflict situations many users are navigating Being told after the fact that my experience “does not reflect how AppClose functions” does not change the reality of how the app has impacted me as a user. Court-mandated platforms should prioritize transparency, accessibility, and responsive support — especially when introducing paid requirements. I am willing to engage directly with support, but dismissing user feedback publicly rather than addressing it meaningfully only reinforces the concerns raised. ORIGINAL review: I originally used AppClose when it was free, and it worked well for basic co-parenting communication and scheduling. Having a central place to log agreements, school activities, and pick-ups is convenient, and the shared calendar can be helpful. However, after the app started charging, I felt forced into another expense due to a court order. In practice, the app has many serious limitations: • Reimbursement requests: You cannot mark reimbursements as “paid” or “declined” in a clear way. Even when the other parent receives and sees the request, there’s no verification of acceptance. • Notifications: Comments or reimbursements may not reliably alert the other parent. There’s no guarantee they see or acknowledge messages. • Expense tracking: All entries must be manually logged, and there is no consistent way to track recurring expenses or partial contributions. • Customer support: I reached out for assistance multiple times and received no response. Users are left to figure out workarounds themselves. • Approval confusion: Some “approval” buttons exist, but they don’t clearly indicate if an expense has been fully reimbursed or simply acknowledged. • Limited flexibility: You cannot fully adjust entries for past agreements, changes in schedules, or complicated arrangements without creating workarounds. Because of these flaws, I ended up paying out of pocket and having to document everything myself just to maintain an accurate record, which defeats the purpose of using the app for court-ordered transparency. What works: • The calendar is helpful for logging events and pick-ups. • The ability to attach receipts and documentation is good. • It can centralize communication in one place rather than relying on texts or emails. Overall: AppClose has potential, but it is not fully reliable for high-conflict or court-ordered situations. The lack of proper reimbursement tracking, unclear approval processes, and unresponsive support make it extremely frustrating for parents who need accountability and transparency. I hope the developers address these issues, especially since many of us are required to use this app by court order.

I was okay with using the app it was brought up by my lawyer and a judge. It was a healthier way of communicating with the other parent. We don’t have any other way of communication but through this app and I don’t use it often it’s just occasionally when there’s an emergency or we need to switch weekends, etc… now the are charging to use it every month I don’t find that necessary because I don’t use it often now I have to look for another to reach out to the other parent because we don’t have each others number and his partner feels it’s disrespectful to have each others number. This is stressful. It was a great app before. I have zero access to all the pictures and conversations from the past until I pay. This is ridiculous!

Brilliant move. Get thousands of users, get judges to require the app for coparenting communications, then pull the rug. Add the fees and make folks pay to have access to their kids. Gross.

I tried for two weeks to get an issue with my subscription resolved to only be answered with “we will look into this”. I had to go through my bank to dispute the transaction. On top of that there is no telephone customer support. I left voicemails to never be answered. An absolute horrible experience.

I wonder how many people they were able to get this court ordered to have since it was free. To turn around and put it behind a pay wall knowing that it would cost more to get parenting plans changed. -Developer responds and act like they’re doing everyone a favor and not just there to collect money. We all know what you really want.

So INCREDIBLY disappointed in this app! This app was court ordered by a judge for communication with my ex so he could stay in touch with our child since we had a DV case. First of all, the app glitches CONSTANTLY! They just recently gave you an option to record phone calls but you have to pay for it which is crazy overpriced. And now you have to pay for a subscription just to use the app in general! I am required to use this specific app to protect me from my ex and I have to pay a monthly fee for it now when it doesn’t even work that well or do enough to protect me. Absolutely outrageous! I would give ZERO stars if I could. **Update** I saw the response from AppClose. The fee waiver option is a joke! There’s only 3 ways to qualify. If you don’t meet one of those 3 options, it doesn’t matter. I’ve talked to your customer service multiple times because this app messes up so much and everyone is extremely rude. Don’t pretend to be sympathetic to family issues when all you care about is how you can make more and more money off victims of domestic violence.

I don’t need or use any of the “new” “paid” features and are forced to pay for them. It needs to go back to the previous model of paid recorded calls and free texting like it was and has been for a long while. EDIT: Response I resolved from AppClose: "We appreciate your feedback and the opportunity to clarify. Each month, AppClose facilitates over 27 million secure interactions including messages, calls, shared events, expenses, and custody updates preserved as unalterable, court ready records. After nearly a decade of service, we’re introducing one all inclusive plan beginning January 1, 2026, announced with 60 days’ notice. The $8.99 per month plan has no tiers, upsells, or hidden fees and includes fee waivers for families in need, plus a 60 day free trial for new users. Unlike other apps that limit features, require annual prepay, or charge extra for calls, recordings, storage, or exports, AppClose remains unlimited, ad free, and court trusted. We encourage families to compare plans and prices across co-parenting apps, along with tools, reviews, and restrictions, and choose what best supports their co parenting needs." Still hold my position that it is a crock that this is a paid app!

My app stop working once I was forced into signing up for the subscription. Customer service took 2 weeks to respond back and address the problem. The app work prefect before the subscription. Both party needs to sign up for the subscription which is ridiculous. only one parent should be paying the fee for one family, not every person on the account required to pay. I will be switching to a different parent app as the customer service here sucks and doesn’t address the problem.

This app provides no more functionality than you already have. And now they have got rid of the free version and want you to subscribe for $9 a month. What a rip off!

The only reason I use this app is because of the The family court mandated now we can’t use it because they are charging a fee just to message back-and-forth for a subscription. Even though the app has a lot of other features. They added a subscription feature because so many family courts were suggesting it. Now that no one is signing up for it. Thier extending legacy subscription payments to users who join d before the payment subscription. Went from having a lot of traffic to none!