Cozi isn’t really a co-parenting app — it’s a family calendar. That’s not a dig: for one household, Cozi is a fine free organiser. But the moment you’re co-parenting after separation, its limits bite — the free plan only shows the next 30 days, there’s no non-editable messaging, and nothing you can export for family proceedings.
How They Compare (2026)
| Feature | Cozi | 🐦 Larkling |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (with ads) / ~£30/yr Cozi Gold | Free |
| AI tone coaching | No | Yes — free |
| Non-editable messaging | Yes | Yes |
| Shared calendar + expenses | Calendar only / limited | Yes |
| Works when co-parent won’t join | No | Yes — Solo Mode |
| Built for all families | No | Yes |
| UK / EU data | No | Yes — EU servers |
The Honest Trade-Off
To be fair to Cozi, Cozi is genuinely free and good for one-household family organisation — shopping lists, chore lists, a shared calendar. The catch: its free tier only shows the next 30 days (too little for co-parents planning ahead), and it has no non-editable messaging or record for family proceedings.
Cozi earns its place in a roundup of free family tools — but comparing it to a co-parenting app misses the point. Larkling covers the calendar use-case Cozi handles and the reliable communication record Cozi can’t. If you’re co-parenting, you want the latter.
Get a Full Calendar — Free 🐦
No 30-day limit. A full shared custody calendar plus reliable messaging and expenses, free.
Get Larkling FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Is Cozi free?
Yes, Cozi has a free tier, but it only shows the next 30 days of calendar and has no co-parenting records. Larkling is free with a full shared calendar and reliable messaging.
Is Cozi good for co-parenting?
Only for basic one-household organisation. It has no non-editable messaging, no expense tracking for shared costs, and no record useful for family proceedings. Larkling covers all of that free.
Does Cozi have messaging?
Cozi is a calendar/organiser, not a messaging app. Larkling has secure, non-editable messaging plus a shared calendar and expenses.
Can I use Larkling if my co-parent won’t engage?
Yes — Solo Mode keeps a reliable record of your side even when the other parent won’t join.
Which is better for separated parents — Cozi or Larkling?
Larkling. Cozi is a general family organiser; Larkling is built for co-parenting — shared custody calendar, reliable messaging, expense tracking, free.
Further reading: What Co-Parenting Apps Cost 2026 | The Free Co-Parenting App | Civly vs Larkling | Parenting Path vs Larkling | Larkling Blog