AppClose alternative
Looking for an AppClose alternative now that it's no longer free?
After more than a decade as a free app, AppClose moved to a paid subscription on January 1, 2026. If you and your co-parent relied on it, CalmHandoff keeps the essentials free for both of you, and when you want more, one subscription covers you both.
What changed at AppClose
- AppClose's free tier ended on January 1, 2026.
- It now sells one plan per parent: $7.99/month on the web or $8.99/month in the app, with prepaid yearly options.
- AppClose offers free accounts to some families facing financial hardship or domestic violence.
What a family pays
Two parents, in-app monthly price, one year
- AppClose
- $215.76
- CalmHandoff
- $0 on Free, or $119 for Family
AppClose vs CalmHandoff
| Feature | AppClose | CalmHandoff |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Ended January 1, 2026 | Yes, for both parents |
| Who pays | Each parent | One subscription covers both |
| Messages can't be edited or deleted | Yes | Yes |
| Records anyone can verify online | Certified records | Verification code + public check page, independent timestamps |
| Billing | Monthly or prepaid | Prepaid 6 or 12 months |
In fairness, AppClose does these well
- Long track record and many families already familiar with it
- Hardship and domestic violence fee waivers
- In-app payments between parents
Competitor details as published on their websites, checked September 2026. Prices and features change; please confirm on their site. Sources: AppClose pricing, AppClose announcement (PR Newswire). AppClose is a trademark of its owner; CalmHandoff is not affiliated with it.
Switching takes an evening
- Step 1
Download your message history from AppClose while you still have access.
- Step 2
Create your free CalmHandoff family and add your kids.
- Step 3
Invite your co-parent. They join free, with no card.
Questions
Is there really a free plan? For how long?+
Yes, and it isn't a trial. Messaging on the record, a shared calendar, and your full history are free for both parents, with no end date. We make money when families choose Family or Family Pro, not by selling data or showing ads.
Does my co-parent have to pay?+
No. On every plan your co-parent joins for free. When one parent subscribes, the whole family gets the upgrade, so you're never stuck waiting for your ex to pay.
What happens if the parent who pays cancels?+
The other parent is notified right away and can take over the subscription in one tap before it ends. If nobody does, the family moves to Free. Messages keep working, and the full history stays available to both parents.
Are the records admissible in court?+
Only a judge decides what's admitted as evidence, and no app can promise that. What CalmHandoff gives you is records that are easy to trust: messages can't be edited or deleted, each entry is linked to the one before it with a cryptographic fingerprint, and anyone, including the other side's lawyer, can check an export for tampering on our verification page. Ask your attorney how records are handled in your court.
Why no monthly billing?+
Co-parenting isn't a month-to-month thing. Billing every 6 or 12 months keeps prices lower for both of you and avoids a surprise charge landing in the middle of a hard month. You can turn off renewal anytime.
I'm switching from AppClose or TalkingParents. What about my old messages?+
Download your message history from your current app before your access changes, and keep that file somewhere safe. Your new CalmHandoff record starts the day you both join, and everything from then on is on the record.
Is it safe if there's a history of abuse?+
We designed for it. Location sharing is off unless you turn it on, your address and phone number are never shown to your co-parent, and Family Pro's Message Shield can soften hostile incoming messages so you see the logistics first. If you're in danger, contact local emergency services or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.