Beacon Co-Parenting App vs ParenThing
Beacon Co-Parenting App
app.beaconparenting.ieParenThing
parenthing.ieSide by side
| Figure | Beacon Co-Parenting App | ParenThing |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | €10.83/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 7 | 3 |
| Spec score · Co-Parenting Apps | 9.3 (#1) | 7.6 (#25) |
| Data location | The privacy policy says the app is hosted on Replit cloud infrastructure running on Google Cloud data centres, and data may be stored outside the EEA, including in the United States. | The privacy policy says hosting servers are located in the EU or Ireland where possible, and transfers outside the EEA use appropriate safeguards. |
| Headquarters | Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, Ireland | Dublin, Ireland |
| Messaging | Co-parents can exchange secure messages, and messages cannot be edited or deleted by either parent or staff. | Messages are checked for unsafe content, and the app may suggest calmer wording for tense messages while leaving the choice to send with the user. |
| Platforms | The maker describes the service as a web app at app.beaconparenting.ie and says it can be added to a device home screen for notifications; its main site lists Android and iOS. | ParenThing is available on the App Store and Google Play and also runs in a browser with the app’s features. |
| Purpose | The app helps separated parents and guardians in Ireland coordinate childcare in one structured place and keep a shared record. | ParenThing provides a shared private space for separated and divorced parents to coordinate messages, schedules, expenses, documents and children’s wellbeing. |
| Security | Traffic uses HTTPS, stored information is encrypted on Google Cloud infrastructure, passwords are hashed and optional authenticator two-step verification is available. | The privacy policy lists encryption in transit and at rest, one-way password hashing, staff access controls and regular security reviews. |
| Support | Account help and complaints are handled by email at [email protected], with a complaints and refund policy referenced in the FAQ. | The maker lists priority support with Premium and provides support by email at [email protected]. |
Plans
Beacon Co-Parenting App
- Core appFree
- Everyday co-parenting appFree
- Gap Refresh€19, paid once
- Parenting Plan Preparation PDF€29, paid once
- Form 51A Financial Exhibit€49, paid once
- Court-Ready Record€129, paid once
- Court-Ready Record download€129, paid once
In their own words
Beacon Co-Parenting App
Beacon Co-Parenting App helps separated parents and guardians in Ireland coordinate childcare and maintain a shared record. Its calendar includes repeating access schedule templates, handover scheduling, and change requests. Co-parents can exchange secure messages that neither parent nor staff can edit or delete. Before sending a draft, the free AI Tone Check can privately suggest calmer wording. Parents can log and approve shared child expenses, record repayments, and maintain a separate maintenance payment log. Other tools include document storage, a private incident log, a child information bank, a community forum, and a free parenting-time summary. A parent can invite a named solicitor to time-limited, read-only access to the record and withdraw that access at any time. The app can generate a tamper-evident PDF of account history with a data-integrity fingerprint; the site says legal advisers should assess admissibility. It is available on Android, iOS, and the web. The free plan has no subscription. One-off options are 49.00 EUR for a Form 51A Financial Exhibit and 129.00 EUR for a Court-Ready Record download.
ParenThing
ParenThing gives separated and divorced parents a shared private space to coordinate messages, schedules, expenses, documents, and children’s wellbeing. Its calendar covers handovers, appointments, and activities, with GPS check-in at handovers. Messages are checked for unsafe content, and the app may suggest calmer wording while leaving the decision to send with the user. Wellbeing check-ins are off by default; parents can view mood patterns without seeing the child’s private words. Mediators and legal professionals may receive consent-based access to family records and use AI-assisted summaries that a professional reviews. The maker says it does not sell data or show ads, and children’s content is not used for profiling or training outside AI models. It lists encryption in transit and at rest, one-way password hashing, staff access controls, and regular security reviews. The free plan covers 50 messages monthly and storage for up to five files. Premium costs €12.99 a month for one family subscription covering both parents.