Debs vs TalkingParents
Every handover starts with the same question: did you know about the trip? Neither of you did, because the letter went home in the other book bag.
TalkingParents is for keeping co-parent communication on the record: messages that can't be edited, recorded calls, a shared calendar and records you can print. Debs doesn't do that. Debs makes sure both homes hear what school needs, with a login for each parent and the same dates, kit and to-dos.
What TalkingParents is great at
TalkingParents is a co-parenting app with recorded messages and calls.
- Messages that can't be edited or deleted
- Calls made and recorded inside the app
- A shared calendar and printable records
What Debs adds
- The school side for both homes, each parent with their own login
- Each parent can connect their own inbox
- A night-before packing list for each child, whichever house they're in
- Letters photographed from either book bag go on the shared calendar
Side by side
| What matters | TalkingParents | Debs |
|---|---|---|
| What it's for | Accountable co-parent communication | School, clubs and the family calendar |
| Recorded messages and calls | Yes | No |
| School dates, kit and forms added for you | No | Automatically* |
| Both parents see the same school calendar | Yes | Yes, each with their own login |
| What it costs | Essentials US$7, Enhanced US$16 and Ultimate US$32 a month, per parent | Free to try, then £5.49 a month to read your school emails, or £3.49 a month for Debs Diary, which doesn't (UK pricing) |
*After a few minutes’ setup: pick your school, add your children and connect your email inbox. Debs then checks the inbox for the senders you choose (the school, its apps and your clubs) and keeps your school’s term dates up to date. Don’t want to connect email? You can show Debs a screenshot or photo instead.
What we say about TalkingParents comes from talkingparents.com (pricing, features and FAQs), checked on 28 September 2026. Prices and features change, so check their website before you decide. TalkingParents is a trademark of its owner; Debs isn’t connected to it.
Using both
TalkingParents for the record, Debs for school. Debs isn't a record for court.
Which should you pick?
- Pick TalkingParents if you need communication with your co-parent recorded and on file.
- Pick Debs if you need both homes to know what school needs.
Questions parents ask
Does Debs record messages between parents?
No. If you need that, use a co-parenting app. Debs can sit alongside it for school.