Harbor at a glance
- $9.99/month or $49.99/year after a 7-day trial
- Subscription is $9.99/month or $49.99/year per person
- Messaging, expenses, custody calendar, Temperature Check, and exports
- Works solo or with both parents · iOS, Android, and web
Harbor vs AppClose
Both cover messaging, a calendar, and expenses. AppClose now bills about $8–$9 per parent per month. Harbor is $9.99/month or $49.99/year per person, with Temperature Check, receipt OCR, GPS check-ins, and court-ready exports.
AppClose at a glance
- About $7.99/month on web or $8.99/month in-app, per parent
- Two parents often about $192–$216/year; hardship waivers exist
- Former free default that now charges per parent for core co-parenting tools.
Pricing from AppClose pricing, last checked August 17, 2026.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Harbor | AppClose |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99/month or $49.99/year after a 7-day trial | ~$7.99–$8.99/parent/month after the 2026 paywall |
| Who pays | ✅ Per parent | ✅ Per parent |
| Documented messaging | ✅ Timestamped, non-editable chat with topics and read receipts | ✅ Documented messaging |
| Search and bookmark messages | ✅ Full-text search plus private bookmark folders | ✅ Search conversations and bookmark messages |
| Tone check before send | ✅ Temperature Check scores tone and offers a calmer rewrite | ❌ No tone checker |
| Expenses | ✅ Splits, payments, receipt OCR, and exports in one ledger | ✅ Expense and reimbursement requests |
| Custody calendar | ✅ Schedules, exceptions, and Google / Apple / Outlook sync | ✅ Shared calendar |
| Works with one parent | ✅ Yes: start solo and keep a record | ✅ Works with one parent |
| GPS exchange check-ins | ✅ Location-verified handoffs with on-time / late tracking | ❌ Not Harbor-style GPS exchange tracking |
| Professional access | ✅ Read-only invites for lawyers, mediators, and coaches | ⚠️ Limited professional portal compared with Harbor |
| Court-ready exports | ✅ One-tap message, expense, and calendar reports | ⚠️ Certified records available; less of a one-tap export workflow |
| Platforms | ✅ iOS, Android, and web | ✅ iOS, Android, and web |
When to pick AppClose
Stay on AppClose if you already use it and both parents will pay, or if you qualify for a waiver. Choose Harbor if you want $49.99/year per person, Temperature Check, GPS check-ins, and web plus mobile. AppClose is no longer the free default.
- Familiar budget brand with a long free-app history
- Hardship and survivor fee waivers
- Core messaging, calendar, and expense requests
Where Harbor is usually stronger
AppClose was the usual “free” recommendation through 2025. In 2026 it charges each parent. Harbor is now the clearer low-price all-in-one for families who do not have a waiver.
- No longer free for most families as of 2026
- Per-parent pricing; two parents pay twice
- No Temperature Check; thinner court-ready export workflow
Frequently asked questions
Is AppClose still free in 2026?
Not for most families. AppClose moved core features behind a per-parent subscription in 2026 (about $7.99/month on web or $8.99 in-app). It still offers hardship and survivor waivers. Confirm current terms on appclose.com.
Is Harbor cheaper than AppClose for two parents?
Usually yes. Harbor is $49.99/year per person. AppClose is about $8–$9 per parent per month, so two paid AppClose seats are about $192–$216/year. Confirm current AppClose pricing on their site.
Does AppClose have a tone checker like Harbor?
No. Harbor Temperature Check scores draft tone and offers a rewrite before send.
Can I search and bookmark messages in Harbor and AppClose?
Yes on both. Harbor and AppClose both let you search conversations and bookmark important messages. Harbor organizes saved messages into private bookmark folders.
Can I switch from AppClose to Harbor?
Yes. Start Harbor solo, invite the other parent, and keep messaging, expenses, and the calendar in the same household.
Which app is better if I only need a free tool?
Neither is a full free all-in-one anymore. Harbor has a 7-day trial then $49.99/year. AppClose waives fees in some hardship cases. Cozi remains a free-leaning family calendar, not a records app.
Related Harbor pages: Features, court-order language, and free parenting-plan builder.
Try Harbor
$9.99/month or $49.99/year per person after a 7-day trial. Messaging, expenses, calendar, and Temperature Check. Use a court-named app if one is specified.