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AppClose alternative

Also free — with the court-ready record AppClose doesn't have.

AppClose covers the daily basics. CustodyTrac adds the append-only audit log, full PDF exports, and attorney portal you'll want if your case ever ends up in front of a judge.

100% free — no credit card, no trial, no paywall
CustodyTrac legal reports — AppClose alternative

Free, like AppClose

$0 for both parents, no premium tier, no per-export fees.

Court-ready layer

Append-only log, timestamped records, unlimited PDF exports.

Attorney portal included

Free, secure, read-only access — AppClose doesn't offer this.

Where AppClose stops and CustodyTrac keeps going

AppClose is a fine everyday tool. The problem shows up the moment a custody dispute gets serious: you go to hand your record to an attorney and realize the exports don't include the metadata a court needs, there's no read-only portal for your attorney, and there's no verifiable proof the record hasn't been edited.

CustodyTrac is designed to be free and court-ready — because the moment you need the record to matter is exactly the moment a limited free tool becomes a liability.

Feature-by-feature: AppClose vs CustodyTrac

  • Shared calendar — both include it; CustodyTrac has more rotation templates.
  • Messaging — both include it; CustodyTrac adds per-person read receipts.
  • Expenses — both split expenses; AppClose adds in-app payment (partner-provided).
  • Transfer log — limited on AppClose, full on CustodyTrac (on-time / late / missed).
  • Incident reports — not offered on AppClose, severity-tagged on CustodyTrac.
  • Append-only audit lognot offered on AppClose, core to CustodyTrac.
  • Court-ready PDF exports — limited on AppClose, unlimited & free on CustodyTrac.
  • Attorney/mediator portalnot offered on AppClose, free on CustodyTrac.

What AppClose still does well

AppClose's in-app payments (via its partner provider) are genuinely convenient if you and your co-parent don't already have a shared reimbursement method. If that's your only pain point, AppClose is fine.

If you also want a defensible legal record — or if you've heard the words "we'll need this in court" from an attorney — CustodyTrac is the safer choice. It stays free.

What you get

  • Free for both parents — same as AppClose.
  • Append-only audit log with server timestamps.
  • Full, unlimited court-ready PDF exports.
  • Free attorney / mediator read-only portal.
  • Severity-tagged incident reports (missed pickups, safety concerns).
  • Transfer log with on-time percentage and parenting-time totals.
  • Shared calendar with swap requests and change history.
  • Works offline, syncs when you're back online.

Frequently asked questions

Isn't AppClose already free?
AppClose is free, and it covers the day-to-day basics well. Where it falls short is when the record needs to hold up legally: it doesn't offer a true append-only audit log, has no dedicated attorney/mediator portal, and its PDF case reports are limited. CustodyTrac is also free, but adds the missing court-ready layer.
Why does an append-only audit log matter?
In a contested custody case, the value of your record depends on whether opposing counsel can argue you edited it. An append-only log means entries can be added but never modified or deleted — with server-side timestamps and record IDs to prove it. Judges and attorneys weigh this heavily.
Does CustodyTrac have in-app payments like AppClose?
CustodyTrac does not process payments directly — expense splitting is tracked (who paid, who owes) and reimbursed through your existing method (Venmo, Zelle, bank transfer). This keeps CustodyTrac out of your financial data and avoids per-transaction fees.
Can attorneys and mediators access CustodyTrac?
Yes — free, read-only attorney and mediator portal is included. AppClose doesn't offer a comparable professional access flow.
Should I use both AppClose and CustodyTrac?
You can, but there's no real reason to duplicate. CustodyTrac covers everything AppClose does and adds the court-ready record layer AppClose is missing.
How do I move over from AppClose?
Create a CustodyTrac account, invite your co-parent, and set up your custody schedule — takes about ten minutes. Historical AppClose data can be kept as-is in AppClose (or exported where possible) and referenced if needed later.

Free for both parents. Forever.

Every CustodyTrac feature is available at no cost. No paywalls, no upsells, no locked reports.

Create your free account