The Free Co-Parenting App That Keeps Things Calm
CalmParents is a private messaging space for you and your co-parent, with read receipts, photo sharing and a clear record of every message. Free to use, with no trial and no card.
No card needed, ever
Why CalmParents is free
CalmParents started when the co-parenting apps we relied on began charging for basic features. We needed a simple, private way to talk about our children, without a monthly bill just to send a message.
So we built one. The core of CalmParents is free and stays free: messaging, read receipts, and sharing photos and files. An optional Plus plan for extras like keeping files forever is what keeps the lights on.
Exactly what's free
Everything you need to communicate with your co-parent, on the free plan.
Unlimited private messaging
Message your co-parent as often as you need, organised into subjects like school, holidays or health.
Read receipts with timestamps
See exactly when each message was sent and when it was first read. No more “I never got it”.
Photo and file sharing
Share photos, videos and documents straight from your phone or computer, up to 10 photos at a time.
Messages can't be deleted
Once sent, messages can’t be edited or deleted by either parent, so your record stays complete.
Phone and computer
Use CalmParents in your browser on any device, or add it to your home screen like an app.
Export conversations
Download a conversation as a PDF with timestamps and read times. The free plan includes 1 PDF export a month.
The honest limits of the free plan
- Photos and files are archived after 14 days, so download anything you want to keep before then.
- 250 MB of storage for photos and files.
- 1 PDF export a month.
- 10 Calm rewrites a month, which suggest calmer wording for a message.
See CalmParents in action
Real conversations, organised by topic, on whatever device you have to hand.
Demo accounts and conversations. No real family data.
Free vs Plus
Many co-parenting apps now charge a subscription just to message. On CalmParents, messaging is free and Plus is optional.
| Feature | Free | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Private messaging | ||
| Read receipts & timestamps | ||
| Photo & file sharing | ||
| Keep files forever | 14 days | |
| Storage | 250 MB | 10 GB |
| PDF exports | 1/mo | Unlimited |
| Calm rewrites | 10/mo | 50/mo |
| Price | £0 | £8.00/mo |
Plus is £8.00 a month or £76.99 a year. Prices as of October 2026.
Up and running in minutes
- 01
Create your free account
Sign up with your email or Google. No card, no trial period.
- 02
Invite your co-parent
Send them a private invite link or code. They join for free too.
- 03
Start messaging
Talk about what matters in a calm, focused space that keeps a clear record.
Private by design
Your conversations are between you and your co-parent.
No ads, ever
We never sell your data or show you adverts, and there’s no algorithm deciding what you see.
Protected and stored securely
Your messages and files are encrypted in transit and at rest, and held by established providers (Google Cloud and Cloudflare).
Clear about AI
Optional Calm Assist uses an AI provider to suggest calmer wording. Our privacy policy explains exactly what’s shared.
Has a court told you which app to use?
If a court has ordered you to use a specific co-parenting app, please check with your solicitor before switching to CalmParents.
Questions parents ask
Is CalmParents really free?
Yes. The free plan isn’t a trial. There’s no time limit and no card needed. Messaging, read receipts and photo and file sharing are all included. Plus is an optional upgrade for extras.
Does my co-parent need to pay?
No. Your co-parent can join and use CalmParents for free, whichever plan you choose.
Can messages be deleted or edited?
No. Once a message is sent it can’t be edited or deleted by either parent, and the time it was first read is recorded and can’t be changed.
Can I use CalmParents as a record for court?
You can export any conversation as a PDF showing each message, when it was sent, when it was read, and both parents’ verified email addresses. Whether it’s accepted as evidence is up to the court, so check with your solicitor.
What happens to my photos after 14 days?
On the free plan, photos and files are archived after 14 days. You’ll see a reminder in the app beforehand, so you can download anything you want to keep. With Plus, files are kept forever.
What's in Plus, and do I need it?
Most parents don’t need it. Plus keeps photos and files forever, gives you 10 GB of storage, unlimited PDF exports and more Calm rewrites, for £8.00 a month or £76.99 a year.
Free to start, free to stay
Set up your private co-parenting space in minutes.
No card needed, ever