Alternative to 2Houses: Custody X Change
The apps Custody X Change and 2Houses help separated parents manage everyday co-parenting. Both have calendars, expense tracking and more for co-parents to use together or one parent to use alone.
Custody X Change sets itself apart by also helping parents prepare for mediation and court. It can be instrumental when you first decide custody and if you ever go back to court.
2Houses versus Custody X Change
Custody X Change
- Primary use: Organization for court and everyday co-parenting
- Target user: Parents at all conflict levels, from amicable to acrimonious
- Install from: custodyxchange.com
Parents often first turn to Custody X Change when they're preparing for court or mediation. They use the app to visualize custody schedules, calculate parenting time and make parenting plan proposals. They can keep this information private until they want their co-parent to see it.
Many parents continue to use Custody X Change for years to come. They message each other, make changes to their schedule, store information about their children and more.
Custody X Change is based in the U.S. and only available in English. Courts around the world have accepted documents made with Custody X Change.
Try this with Custody X Change.
2Houses
- Primary use: Organization for everyday co-parenting
- Target user: Amicable parents who never expect to go to mediation or court
- Install from: App stores
2Houses best serves parents who are confident they won't need to go to mediation or court. Co-parents share all the 2Houses tools, like the photo album and journal, so it works well for exes who have few disputes.
2Houses is based in Belgium and available in several languages. The translation to English isn't perfect.
Features compared
Only Custody X Change has...
- Parenting plan: Specify your rules for co-parenting. Choose from more than 140 parenting provisions.
- Parenting time calculator: See exactly how much time your child is scheduled to spend with you. Plus, mark when a parent is late or misses a visit, and get a detailed report.
- Private journal: Log interactions with your co-parent, your child's milestones and more. Use it as evidence or for your own reference.
- Hostile language monitor: Get alerted when you type combative words so you can revise before sending a message.
Try this with Custody X Change.
Only 2Houses has...
- Photo album: Share family photos securely.
- Shared journal: Keep everyone in the loop by sharing updates about your kids, quotes, photos or videos.
Both apps have...
- Calendar: See which parent your child should be with and when. Add other events too. Sync your calendar with apps like Google Calendar.
- Expense tracking: Track how much you spend on your child and how much each parent owes for expenses you've agreed to share.
- Messaging: Message your co-parent in a dedicated space. In 2Houses, you can also message your kids or mediator.
- Info bank: Store information about your child's clothing sizes, teachers, friends and more.
- Linking with other people: Give free access to your kids, nanny, mediator, etc.
Try this with Custody X Change.
Which app should you use?
Will you collaborate on everything with your co-parent?
Use 2Houses. You'll share every feature. Calendar events are the only things you can mark private.
Do you want to keep some information private?
Use Custody X Change. Even if you link accounts, some features, like your journal, are still private so you can document without upsetting your co-parent.
Do you need a digital photo album?
Use 2Houses. You'll be able to upload photos to share with linked users, like your children and other relatives.
Do you want to calculate denied or extra parenting time?
Use Custody X Change. You'll have a private actual time calendar so you can mark when a parent is late or cancels a visit. You'll get a report on the difference from your scheduled time.
Do you have no intention of ever going to mediation or court?
Use 2Houses. It focuses on tools for day-to-day use, like a photo album and shopping lists.
Is there a chance you may go to mediation or court?
Use Custody X Change. In addition to everyday tools, it has tools for negotiation or court, like the parenting time calculator, parenting plan template and private journal.
Bottom line
Custody X Change and 2Houses both suit parents who want to make co-parenting easier. If you're looking for daily tools, like a parenting calendar and messaging, you can use either app. If you want help preparing for mediation or court, use Custody X Change.