Shared Steps vs OurFamilyWizard
OurFamilyWizard is a long-established co-parenting app with deep record-keeping and wide use by courts and family professionals. Shared Steps is built for families after mediation, with one price for both parents. Here's how they compare.
What the two of you pay
Shared StepsOne price per family
- Monthly
- £7.99a month for the whole family
- Yearly
- £69.99a year for the whole family
Free to try
OurFamilyWizardCharged per parent
- Monthly
- No monthly planYearly plans only in the UK: about £18 a month for two (£9 each)
- Yearly
- £215.98£107.99 per parent, Essentials
30-day refund window
At a glance
- Yes:
- Partly:
- No:
- Not stated:
| Feature |  Shared Steps | OurFamilyWizard |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| Price | £7.99 a month or £69.99 a year | Yearly only: from £107.99 per parent (about £9 a month); Premium £155.99, Max £215.99 |
| One subscription covers both parents | Yes: Either parent subscribes; the other is covered | No: Each parent needs a plan, though one parent can pay for the other |
| Free trial | Yes: Start with a free trial | Partly: 30-day refund window rather than a free trial (varies by platform) |
| Planning together | ||
| Shared calendar | Yes: Month, week and day views, with regular rotas | Yes: Shared parenting calendar |
| Agreeing changes | Yes: Proposals; the calendar changes only once you both agree | Yes: Requests the other parent can accept |
| Shared costs | Yes: Log a cost with its receipt, agree it, see who owes what | Yes: Expense log with receipts |
| Shared documents | Yes: PDFs and photos stored privately for both parents, organised by child and type, with renewal reminders that can hold the scan | Yes: Info Bank for shared information |
| Talking to each other | ||
| Messaging | Yes: Messages with replies, reactions and search | Yes: Messages can't be edited or deleted |
| Tone check before sending | Yes: A private calm check that runs on your phone and never blocks a message | Yes: ToneMeter, plus a Writing Assistant on Essentials and above |
| Calls without sharing numbers | Yes: Voice, with video if you both switch it on; your own call hours | Yes: Audio and video, both must agree; minutes depend on plan (45 a month on UK Essentials) |
| Privacy and access | ||
| Handover check-ins | Yes: No GPS: only the update and time you choose to send | Yes: GPS check-ins; location is shared when the parent chooses |
| Access for your child | Yes: A simple read-only view of where they'll be | Yes: Free child accounts |
| Mediators and professionals | Yes: Your mediator sees only the review requests you send | Yes: Free accounts for professionals |
| Records and devices | ||
| Court-ready records | No: Built for day-to-day co-parenting, not for gathering evidence | Yes: PDF reports; certified records on Premium and above |
| Web app | No: iPhone and Android | Yes: Web, iPhone and Android |
| Made for UK families | Yes: Made in the UK, with UK prices | Yes: UK website with prices in pounds |
Where OurFamilyWizard is strong
- A long track record, and it says it is accepted by courts across the United Kingdom.
- Free accounts for children, third parties and professionals such as solicitors.
- Detailed reports and certified records if you may need them in court.
- Optional GPS check-ins and both audio and video calls.
Where Shared Steps is different
- One subscription covers both of you. With OurFamilyWizard each parent needs a plan, so a family pays from £215.98 a year.
- Shaped around life after mediation: your agreement becomes the plan, and changes are proposals the calendar only takes on when you both agree.
- The calm check is private, runs on your phone and never blocks or rewrites a message.
- No GPS at all. A handover check-in only shares the update you choose to send.
Which is right for you?
OurFamilyWizard may suit you if
you expect to need court-ready records, a professional such as a solicitor needs access, or a court has asked you to use it.
Shared Steps may suit you if
you've reached an agreement, mostly need to run it day to day, and want one price for the whole family and an app that keeps the temperature down.
Hear when it's outQuestions
Is Shared Steps cheaper than OurFamilyWizard?
For most families, yes. Shared Steps is £69.99 a year and covers both parents. OurFamilyWizard's UK plans start at £107.99 a year per parent, and each parent needs a plan, so the cheapest option for two parents is £215.98 a year.
Can Shared Steps replace OurFamilyWizard if a court has ordered us to use it?
No. If a court has asked you to use a particular app, use that app. Shared Steps is built to help you carry out an agreement day to day, not to produce records for court.
Can I move from OurFamilyWizard to Shared Steps?
There's no import from OurFamilyWizard. Setting up your family in Shared Steps takes a few minutes: add your children and your regular schedule, then invite your co-parent. Keep any reports you've downloaded from OurFamilyWizard for your own records.