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For co-parents navigating the complexities of family court, child custody, and shared parenting schedules, a reliable co-parenting app is essential. OurFamilyWizard (sometimes called OFW or MyFamilyWizard) was the first coparenting app to be developed, and has been one of the most recognized apps in the field since 2001. It is still often recommended by family courts and lawyers as a communication tool to keep things civil. But today, as co-parents seek more streamlined, intuitive, and effective tools, it’s worth questioning: Is OurFamilyWizard still the best choice for a co-parenting app for your family?
The short answer: Absolutely not.
The deeper answer comes from the users themselves. OurFamilyWizard holds a dismal user rating of 1.5 stars out of 5, based on 110 reviews on SiteJabber and 2.1 stars out of 5 on Google with 124 reviews. Common complaints include issues with customer service, the necessity of court orders, and challenges in high-conflict situations.
From issues with app performance and reliability to the questionable effectiveness of its Tone Meter feature, expensive subscription, and a fundamental flaw in its approach to reducing conflict, there are significant drawbacks that can make an already challenging situation much more frustrating.
Below, we’ll break down real reviews from users and explain why OurFamilyWizard may not be the ultimate co-parenting app for your situation, and explore alternatives that might serve you better. Before you pay to have a court order filed requiring you to use My Family Wizard, you should consider these points:
The Clunky User Experience of OurFamilyWizard
From a brief survey of coparents who have used OFW, one of the primary criticisms is its user experience (UX). For an app meant to facilitate co-parenting communication and simplify shared custody logistics, OurFamilyWizard often does the opposite. Many users have reported that the interface feels outdated and cumbersome, making tasks that should be simple—like scheduling custody or sending a message—more complicated than necessary.
The app is also prone to crashes. While acknowledging the app’s overall usefulness (compared to not using an app at all), Wealthy Single Mommy reports that users report that the our family wizard app has “too many bugs.”
Many users have found themselves in the frustrating position of trying to check messages or update a parenting schedule, only for the app to freeze or become unresponsive. In critical moments, such as coordinating a last-minute change in visitation or handling an emergency, this can make communication with an ex unreliable. Reviews frequently mention issues with notifications failing to appear, leading to missed messages and misunderstandings that could easily have been avoided with a more robust app.
As Gareth Mann puts it, “this app is ridiculous. If you’re a co-parenting parent, avoid Our Family Wizard (OFW) at all costs if you have any choice. My experience has been a frustrating and expensive lesson that only added stress to an already complex situation.”
Limited Flexibility and Inaccuracy of the Tone Meter Feature
OFW includes a Tone Meter, which is intended to alert co-parents if their tone seems potentially inflammatory. While this feature is well-intentioned, and innovative for its time, many users find it laughably inaccurate. The Tone Meter often flags benign phrases as problematic, while missing tone issues in actual emotionally charged language.
In theory, the Tone Meter is supposed to serve as a “first line of defense” against hostile communication, guiding co-parents to keep things constructive. However, its inaccuracy can be misleading, giving users a false sense of security that they are protected, in fact, the feature doesn’t regularly recognize things like aggression and defensiveness. This undermines its intended purpose of reducing conflict and promoting a healthy co-parenting dynamic.
Furthermore, the Tone Meter is a deterrent only and doesn’t actually do anything besides appear on the message as you compose it. It relies on parents to regulate themselves. In cases of narcissistic coparents with manipulative or controlling personalities, Tone Meter does absolutely nothing.
The BestInterest coparent app provides an alternative approach by using AI to filter out harmful or unnecessary content and provide constructive messaging tips that are actually tailored to the situation. This AI-driven approach makes sure conversations stay child-focused and collaborative, reducing the chance of misinterpretation or conflict.
Relying on Court Orders to Enforce Co-Parenting Communication
Another limitation of OurFamilyWizard is its heavy reliance on court orders for it to be used. While most courts will rubber-stamp its use, sometimes getting a court order can take months and thousands of dollars. And as you may know, all a court order does is that mandates the app’s use. If your coparent refuses to comply, the only recourse is a legal one. For coparents navigating high conflict situations, this is a bit of a catch-22 that will end up costing a lot of money!
Many users have shared that OFW provides a “false sense of hope” that using it will somehow enforce cooperation, but without real accountability from family courts, the app lacks authority. This setup creates an ongoing cycle of frustration as co-parents find themselves relying on an app that courts may recommend but don’t actively monitor or enforce. As a result, co-parents may feel disillusioned with the tool, realizing that it’s not as powerful or effective as they had hoped in encouraging respectful communication. There’s a sense that OFW falsely advertises their app as court-monitored, when in fact, you must use your attorney to get any relief.
False Sense of Security: Courts Are Not A Good Deterrent For Abuse
Many co-parents turn to OurFamilyWizard because they believe that a court order mandating its use will encourage better behavior from their ex. However, family courts rarely take action over minor violations, especially when it comes to co-parenting communication issues. This reliance on court-ordered compliance gives parents a false sense of security, as many courts are unwilling or unable to intervene when one parent disregards the app’s intended use.
For instance, if one co-parent repeatedly fails to check the app or refuses to respond in a timely manner, the courts are unlikely to penalize them for these actions. This reality can be disappointing for co-parents who had hoped OFW would hold both parties accountable. Additionally, court orders for app usage often require time, effort, and legal fees to obtain, adding to the emotional and financial burden of navigating high-conflict co-parenting.
Lack of Real Support for High-Conflict Co-Parenting
For parents dealing with high-conflict co-parenting situations, they report that OurFamilyWizard often falls short in providing the support and features necessary to manage these dynamics. Unlike apps that offer AI-powered assistance to reduce hostility, OFW primarily relies on static keyword-based tools like the Tone Meter and email-like messaging. Unfortunately, these features are not enough when one parent continually escalates conflict or refuses to cooperate. For example, if an ex uses sarcasm or passive-aggressive language that doesn’t get flagged by the Tone Meter, it can lead to unnecessary upset and frustration.
Andrew Thompson states from his experience that “OFW app doesn’t work at all to prevent abuse. Extremely overpriced for poor broken functionality, I’ve been developing software for 20 years and this app is pathetic. This company preys on people who are already struggling.”
In contrast, the BestInterest app includes a Coparent Coach feature that goes beyond basic messaging. BestInterest uses AI to actually review and mediate ALL incoming and outgoing messages, suggest phrasing adjustments, and remove inflammatory language so co-parents can communicate in a healthier, child-focused manner. This kind of support is invaluable in high-conflict situations where emotions run high and small miscommunications can quickly spiral into larger issues.
Limited Integration and Reliance on Emails and Texts
OurFamilyWizard also lacks integration with other communication methods, relying heavily on app-based messaging and notifications that don’t always reach users. Many parents still end up needing to use text messages, emails, or phone calls in emergencies, especially if OFW notifications fail to appear. A quick scan of parenting forums indicates that this limitation complicates communication, as parents must manage messages across multiple channels.
Rehan Maya states that OFW is “one of the worst apps I’ve ever used. Notifications don’t work and don’t know when I got a message, app fails to send messages at times and obviously no customer service.”
Furthermore, OFW’s messaging system isn’t intuitive, often requiring users to navigate multiple screens and menus to find the information they need. For example, checking a single message involves several taps, and it’s impossible to view a conversation thread or easily see what messages have not been responded to, creating additional stress in time-sensitive situations. In contrast, coparent apps designed with more modern interfaces and streamlined navigation can make accessing important messages and info much easier.
Outdated Interface and Mobile App Performance Issues
As a leading co-parenting app, one would expect OurFamilyWizard to have an intuitive, user-friendly interface. However, many users find the app’s design outdated and cumbersome, especially on mobile devices. Crashes, lags, and failed notifications are common complaints, with users frequently voicing frustration over the app’s instability. For parents managing busy schedules and seeking reliable communication, these technical issues can be a deal-breaker.
Jarrod N, another user, tells us “(OFW) is super difficult to use and full of bugs. 3 years of using this app and they have fixed almost nothing. Their business model is based on lawyers naming this app in the family court orders as it was the first to market and the only well known brand. If you have a difficult family situation you need one of these apps, but when the app is no good it is super difficult to change to another. So you get stuck hating OFW and yet renewing it each year. That is their business model, its a money printing machine.”
OFW’s Info Bank feature, while helpful in theory, is also difficult to access on mobile devices. Many parents find it challenging to locate and update important information, such as emergency contacts or medical records, when they need it most. This lack of reliability makes it difficult to use the app for urgent coordination and planning, which defeats the purpose of a co-parenting app that’s supposed to streamline communication.
The BestInterest app offers a smoother, more intuitive user experience with modern design principles. BestInterest’s Coparent Journal feature has a simple layout, and is a great place to store offline interactions. Combined with fast performance and reliable notifications, BestInterest makes it easy for co-parents to stay connected and organized without the frustrations of outdated technology.
Lack of Flexibility and High Subscription Costs
OFW is often marketed as a leading co-parenting app, but its lack of flexibility makes it a frustrating choice for many parents. The app’s features and settings are limited, providing few options for customization to suit individual parenting schedules or unique family dynamics. This lack of adaptability can make it difficult for families to use the app effectively.
Additionally, OFW’s subscription costs are high compared to other coparenting apps, especially considering the app’s limited features and clunky user experience. Once you obtain the court order, both parents are stuck with those high annual costs forever. And if your coparent refuses to use it, there is no recourse – you’re still paying for an app you can’t use.
Many OFW users feel that they’re paying a premium for an app that doesn’t meet their needs. Tess Rhue states: “It is mind boggling (OFW) is still in business. The app is mediocre for what it is. The biggest issue is with customer service. Anytime I have had to reach out to customer service, no one seems to know what they are doing…”
Moreover, while some court orders may require parents to use OurFamilyWizard, the cost burden falls on the parents, adding to the financial strain of coparenting. In contrast, newer apps in the coparenting space, such as BestInterest, offer flexible subscription models, free trials, and features that adapt to the complexities of modern coparenting.
The False Promise of Documentation and Accountability
One of OFW’s main selling points is its documentation capabilities, which are often marketed as helpful in legal situations. While it’s true that OFW can store messages, schedules, and visitation records, the app doesn’t ensure accountability if one parent chooses not to engage. This means that the “documentation” benefit may not be as useful as advertised, as there’s no guarantee that both parties will use the app consistently or honestly.
Additionally, the documentation feature lacks customization options for recording specific events or behaviors, making it difficult to create a clear and comprehensive record. The BestInterest app offers more robust and user-friendly documentation features, such as the Co-Parenting Journal, which allows parents to take notes, add timestamps, and create a detailed record of important interactions. These features provide a clearer picture of co-parenting dynamics, which can be more effective in legal settings than simply storing messages.
So, Should You Get A Court Order To Use OurFamilyWizard?
Today, OurFamilyWizard may still be recommended by some family courts and lawyers, but that is less about it being the best choice and more about it having been around for 20+ years. It’s far from the top choice for effective co-parenting. From its clunky interface to unreliable notifications and outdated features, OFW doesn’t provide the modern, intuitive experience that co-parents need today. The Tone Meter’s ineffectiveness and the reliance on court orders further highlight the app’s limitations, making it an insufficient solution for high-conflict situations.
For co-parents looking for a modern coparenting app, with features that actually reduce conflict, BestInterest offers an AI-powered approach that goes beyond basic messaging. With features like the Coparent Coach, Co-Parenting Journal, and flexible notification settings, BestInterest is designed for the modern coparent’s needs.
If you’re seeking a co-parenting app that truly helps you and your ex manage schedules, communicate effectively, and reduce stress, it’s time to look beyond OurFamilyWizard and consider a platform that’s built for the challenges of today’s co-parenting landscape.
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