Custody Journal fits when
You need the record started now.
Start your record now, log the facts while they are still fresh, and see what your timeline actually looks like before the next hearing, meeting, or exchange.
Start your record freeComparison
Custody Journal vs AppClose
If both parents are willing to message, schedule, and settle expenses inside one shared app, AppClose covers those co-parenting essentials well. If what you actually need is your own factual record of incidents, exchanges, expenses, photos, and documents that does not depend on the other parent joining, Custody Journal is the cleaner fit.
What matters
Custody Journal
AppClose
Works if only one parent uses it
Yes. Built around solo logging and record-building from day one. No one else has to join.
Built as a shared co-parenting app; messaging, requests, and payment features work best when both parents participate.
Fast incident and timeline logging
Quick journal entries, exchange records, school logs, communication logs, expenses, photos, documents, and attachments under one case.
Leads with shared messaging, calendars, parenting-time tracking, and expense requests; solo incident capture is not the lead story.
Communication and call records
You log communications, attach screenshots and files, and export organized summaries for your attorney.
Core public strength: unalterable messages, recorded audio and video calls, and time-stamped records of in-app activity.
Evidence organization beyond messages
Puts incidents, exchanges, school records, expenses, photos, documents, and summaries into one chronology built for hearings.
Strong on records of in-app communication and payments; less centered on assembling a broader solo evidence timeline.
Price shape
Start free. Paid plans run $12–$35/month, or $99–$279/year billed annually, depending on tier.
Free tier ended January 1, 2026. Public pricing currently shows an $8.99/month all-inclusive plan per parent, with a 60-day free trial and hardship waivers.
Best fit
Dads in high-conflict custody who need a clean factual record fast, with or without the other parent’s cooperation.
Co-parents who both want one shared app for everyday messaging, scheduling, expenses, and calls.
AppClose pricing referenced from its public website. Pricing can change.
Looking for a free AppClose alternative?
AppClose ended its free tier in 2026 and moved to a paid subscription. If you mainly needed a place to document what is happening — not a shared co-parenting app — Custody Journal starts free: log incidents, exchanges, expenses, photos, and documents today, and only upgrade if you need the full toolkit.
Start your record free — takes 2 minutesAppClose fits when
Both parents will share one app.
If both parents will genuinely use one shared app for messaging, scheduling, expenses, and calls, AppClose may be the better choice.
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