OurFamilyWizard alternative
An OurFamilyWizard alternative where only one parent needs to pay
OurFamilyWizard has been at this for over twenty years and family law professionals know it well. It also asks each parent for a separate yearly subscription. With CalmHandoff, both parents use the free plan, or one subscription covers the whole family.
What changed at OurFamilyWizard
- There is no free plan; subscriptions are yearly or every two years, with no monthly option.
- Plans run from $110 a year for the entry tier to $299.88 a year for Max, per parent.
- Call recording and transcription are on the Max plan only.
- Professional accounts for attorneys and mediators are free, and so are child and third-party accounts.
What a family pays
Two parents for one year, on their entry plan
- OurFamilyWizard
- $220
- CalmHandoff
- $0 on Free, or $119 a year for the whole family
What OurFamilyWizard charges
Their own published plans, per parent. We compare against the cheapest of these, not the dearest.
Choose your own
$110
per parent, per year
Receive-only calls, 1 GB storage
Essentials
$149.99
per parent, per year
45 call minutes a month, Writing Assistant, GPS check-ins
Premium
$216
per parent, per year
Unlimited calls, certified records posted to you
Max
$299.88
per parent, per year
Call recording and transcription
OurFamilyWizard vs CalmHandoff
| Feature | OurFamilyWizard | CalmHandoff |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes, for both parents, with no end date |
| Who pays | Each parent, separately | One subscription covers both |
| Two parents, one year | $220 entry, $299.98 on Essentials | $0, or $119 |
| Messages can't be edited or deleted | Yes | Yes |
| How a record is verified | Certified records — notarised, printed and posted, on Premium and above | Hash-chained entries with an independent daily timestamp; anyone can check an export online free |
| Recorded calls | Max plan only, $299.88 a year each | 10 hours a month, on Family Pro |
| If the paying parent stops | Each parent pays separately anyway | The other parent is told and can take over without paying twice |
| Billing | 1 or 2 years, per parent | Prepaid 6 or 12 months, one bill for the family |
In fairness, OurFamilyWizard does these well
- Over twenty years in use, and recognised by family law professionals across the United States
- Free accounts for your attorney or mediator, and for children and third parties
- Certified records notarised, printed and posted to you on the higher plans
- A 30-day full refund if it isn't for you
Switch to CalmHandoff if
- Two separate subscriptions is the thing standing in your way
- You want to start free and decide later
- You want anyone to verify a record online in seconds, without an account
Competitor details as published on their websites, checked 21 September 2026. Prices and features change; please confirm on their site. Sources: OurFamilyWizard plans and pricing. OurFamilyWizard is a trademark of its owner; CalmHandoff is not affiliated with it.
Switching takes an evening
- Step 1
Download your message history from OurFamilyWizard 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.
Weighing up more than one? Compare all the co-parenting apps side by side.
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 whoever is able to pay can, and neither of you has to ask the other.
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. We never ask for your address or phone number, so there is nothing to show your co-parent. Your location is shared only at the moment you choose to check in, never in the background. And Family Pro's Message Shield can soften hostile incoming messages so you see the logistics first. If you're in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential and open 24 hours: call 1-800-799-7233, or if it isn't safe to talk, text START to 88788 or chat at thehotline.org.