Top 10 Relationship Apps to Stop Fighting and Start Communicating
Let's face it—fighting with your partner is exhausting. You say one thing, they hear something wildly different, and boom—you're arguing about something you both forgot started with an innocent "what do you want for dinner?"
Whether you're married, dating, cohabiting, or co-parenting, relationship conflict happens. It's normal. But constant arguments? Not great for long-term love.
While couples therapy and marriage counseling are powerful tools, they're not always available in the moment you need them most—like when you're about to send that passive-aggressive text you swore you wouldn't send again.
That's where relationship apps come in. We tested the top-rated options that claim to help couples fight less and connect more—and ranked them based on how useful they actually were when the tension got real.
1. Donkey Chats – Best for Couples Who Argue (and Want to Stop)
Pricing: FREE for 1 hour of audio analysis per week, $49/year for full access
If you've ever said something in a fight and instantly thought, "that came out way meaner than I meant it"—Donkey Chats is for you.
This AI-powered relationship app helps you improve communication, de-escalate conflicts, and actually understand what's going wrong during fights. You can record arguments (yep, really), and it will analyze tone of voice, interruptions, emotional spikes, and speaking balance.
But here's where it gets next-level: 💬 It also stops mean texts before you send them. Donkey Chats scans your messages for tone and offers kinder, clearer rewrites—so you don't turn "Why do you always do this?" into World War III.
Top features:
- AI analyzes real conversations (audio + text) to reveal toxic patterns
- Tone alerts that warn you before saying something unkind
- Text rephrasing tools to help you say it better
- Relationship communication quiz to learn your strengths + blind spots
- Journaling tools for self-reflection and emotional processing
- Progress tracking to measure communication growth over time
- Supports Gottman Method, CBT, and EFT principles
- Fully HIPAA-compliant and bank-level security for use in therapy or counseling settings
Strengths:
- Prevents fights in real time with tone analysis and text rephrasing
- Offers data therapists can use to provide better support
- Helps partners become more self-aware over time
Weaknesses:
- May feel too intense for couples only looking for light connection
- Requires both partners to engage for best results
2. Paired – Best for Daily Relationship Check-Ins
Pricing: $99/year per couple
Paired is all about bite-sized emotional connection. You and your partner get daily questions, quizzes, and conversation starters. It's sweet, easy, and prevents small disconnects from spiraling into major fights.
Top features:
- Daily check-in questions and playful quizzes
- In-app chat to discuss prompts together
- Topics include intimacy, communication, and appreciation
Strengths:
- Great for couples looking to stay emotionally in sync
- Easy to use and fun to engage with regularly
Weaknesses:
- Doesn't address high-conflict situations directly
- Not as useful during or after arguments
3. Lasting – Best for Structured Therapy-Style Work
Pricing: $119.99/year
Lasting is like a therapist-approved workbook in app form. You can explore topics like conflict resolution, emotional safety, sex, and trust—all through guided sessions backed by psychology research.
Top features:
- Guided sessions based on relationship science
- Personalized plans tailored to your relationship strengths/needs
- Option to sync progress with a partner
Strengths:
- Based on proven therapy techniques
- Great supplement to couples counseling
Weaknesses:
- Requires time and structure to benefit fully
- Not designed for in-the-moment arguments or live analysis
4. Relish – Best for Personalized Coaching + Content
Pricing: $99.99/year
Relish combines relationship lessons, date night ideas, journaling prompts, and even coaching via chat. It's very much a "relationship lifestyle" app and offers plenty of positive psychology to keep things upbeat.
Top features:
- 1-on-1 coaching through chat
- Weekly lessons and interactive challenges
- Personalized tips based on quiz results
Strengths:
- Excellent for couples wanting lighter, personalized guidance
- Includes live coaching for extra accountability
Weaknesses:
- Coaching responses can feel generic
- Not focused on resolving deeper or recurring conflict patterns
5. Couples Coach – Best for CBT-Based Conflict Skills
Pricing: $69/year (approx.)
Originally developed for veterans, Couples Coach uses cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to teach communication and emotional regulation. It's a solid no-frills app for managing specific relationship stressors.
Top features:
- CBT-based exercises for managing anger and stress
- Skill-building modules with real-life scenarios
- Goal tracking for behavior change
Strengths:
- Grounded in research and proven CBT techniques
- Helpful for couples recovering from trauma or PTSD
Weaknesses:
- Interface feels dated
- Not as intuitive or modern as other apps
6. Between – Best for Sentimental Connection
Pricing: ~$35/year
Between is more about digital intimacy than conflict resolution. Think of it as a private space for couples to share memories, schedules, and sweet messages.
Top features:
- Private chat and shared photo albums
- Custom calendar and anniversary reminders
- Cute stickers and visual personalization
Strengths:
- Great for long-distance or busy couples
- Makes relationship milestones more fun
Weaknesses:
- Not designed for conflict management
- Lacks communication skill development tools
7. Love Nudge – Best for Love Language Practice
Pricing: Free with optional upgrades
Based on Gary Chapman's 5 Love Languages, Love Nudge gamifies emotional support. You set goals to "nudge" your partner with acts of love based on their preferred style.
Top features:
- Learn and track each other's love language
- Set goals for weekly acts of love
- Progress charts and nudging reminders
Strengths:
- Encourages intentional relationship habits
- Fun for couples who enjoy goal setting
Weaknesses:
- Doesn't address serious conflict
- Can feel repetitive over time
8. Toucan Together – Best for Christian Couples
Pricing: Free
Faith-based couples will appreciate Toucan's biblical framework for healthy communication. The app includes videos, challenges, and reflective questions grounded in Christian values.
Top features:
- Christian-based relationship content
- Video-guided communication exercises
- Journaling and progress tracking
Strengths:
- Aligns with faith-based counseling principles
- Designed to support long-term relationship growth
Weaknesses:
- Religious framing may not appeal to all couples
- Less effective for high-conflict couples
9. Coupleness – Best for Daily Mood Tracking
Pricing: ~$60/year
Coupleness gives you a quick, visual way to log how you're feeling in your relationship each day—kind of like a relationship Fitbit. It's designed to build emotional awareness and communication habits over time.
Top features:
- Daily mood check-ins with emojis and notes
- Insights on patterns in your relationship
- Shared journal with your partner
Strengths:
- Makes emotional tracking feel simple and non-threatening
- Great for building awareness over time
Weaknesses:
- Limited support for conflict resolution
- Needs both partners to log in consistently
10. Agapé – Best for Text-Based Intimacy
Pricing: $79.99/year
Agapé sends you and your partner daily questions to help you stay connected, vulnerable, and curious. Think of it as a microdose of therapy-style connection, one text at a time.
Top features:
- Daily emotional check-in prompts
- Option to reply within the app or via SMS
- Categories include intimacy, stress, love, and conflict
Strengths:
- Encourages thoughtful reflection and responses
- Great for partners who prefer asynchronous connection
Weaknesses:
- Doesn't provide deeper conflict tools
- Less effective for couples needing structure
Final Thoughts: What's the Best Relationship App to Help You Fight Less?
If you're here, you're probably tired of fighting. Maybe you've tried therapy. Maybe you've just tried not bringing things up until you explode. (Spoiler: doesn't work.)
Donkey Chats is the only app that:
- ✅ Helps during actual arguments
- ✅ Prevents mean texts with real-time suggestions
- ✅ Tracks your communication over time
- ✅ Helps you understand tone, volume, and interruption patterns
- ✅ Makes therapy easier by giving your counselor actual data
👉 Ready to start improving your communication?
