Last updated: January 2026. Prices in USD; EUR and GBP follow similar ranges.
The Quick List
| App | Best For | Price | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| LoveFix | Conflict repair | $9.99/mo | 24/7 help when you’re actually fighting |
| Lasting | Daily habit-building | $12/mo | Structured curriculum, research-based |
| Paired | Connection and fun | $15/mo | Low-pressure daily questions |
| Coral | Intimacy issues | $15-20/mo | Sex and intimacy focus |
| Relish | Guided coaching | $15/mo | Personalized lessons |
| OurRelationship | Evidence-based work | Free-$40 | University-developed, studied |
Now let’s get into what “actually works” means and which app fits your situation.
What “Actually Works” Means
Most relationship apps get downloaded, used for a week, then forgotten. That’s not working.
An app actually works if:
- You keep using it. The best features mean nothing if the app collects dust.
- Something changes. You communicate better, fight less destructively, feel more connected.
- It fits your real problem. An intimacy app won’t fix communication issues. A daily quiz app won’t help mid-fight.
The apps on this list meet those criteria for their specific use cases. None of them do everything. The trick is matching the app to your actual situation.
The Apps (Ranked by Use Case)
1. LoveFix - Best for Conflict Repair
Price: $9.99/month Available: iOS, Android, Web
What it does: LoveFix is built for one specific moment: when you’re fighting or just finished fighting and need help now. Not next Thursday at your therapy appointment. Now.
You describe what happened, the AI guides you through a repair process based on Gottman research (the 5:1 ratio, repair attempts, the Four Horsemen). Each partner gets private space to process before coming together.
Why it works: Most relationship help is preventive or reflective. LoveFix is interventional. The repair window after a conflict is 24-48 hours. Having structured guidance during that window changes outcomes.
Best for:
- Couples who fight and then don’t know how to recover
- People who need help at 11pm, not during business hours
- Those who keep having the same argument
- Anyone who wants to try something before therapy
Not ideal for:
- Couples who rarely fight (you won’t use it)
- Deep trauma work
- When the issue is really about intimacy, not conflict
Standout feature: Both partners work separately first, then the app helps bridge perspectives. No one feels ambushed.
2. Lasting - Best for Daily Habit-Building
Price: $12/month (or $80/year) Available: iOS, Android
What it does: Lasting offers a structured curriculum of sessions covering communication, conflict, intimacy, and trust. You work through lessons together, answer questions, and build daily relationship habits.
Faith-based content available for couples who want that framing.
Why it works: The structured approach means you’re not just opening an app randomly. You have a path. Research on Lasting showed measurable improvements in relationship satisfaction.
Best for:
- Couples who want a curriculum to follow
- Those who do well with daily habits and streaks
- Engaged or newlywed couples building foundations
- Faith-based couples (optional content)
Not ideal for:
- Crisis situations (it’s not designed for mid-conflict)
- Couples who hate feeling like they’re doing homework
- When you need immediate help
Standout feature: The structured programs give you a clear path rather than random tips.
3. Paired - Best for Reconnection and Fun
Price: $15/month Available: iOS, Android
What it does: Paired sends daily questions, quizzes, and games designed to spark conversation and help you learn more about each other. It’s lighter than most relationship apps. Less “therapy homework,” more “actually kind of fun.”
Why it works: Low barrier to entry. The questions are interesting enough that couples actually answer them. Over time, you learn things about your partner you didn’t know, and you build a habit of connecting daily.
Best for:
- Couples who feel disconnected but aren’t in crisis
- Those who want something lighter than therapy-style apps
- Long-distance relationships (the app is built for async use)
- Partners who resist anything that feels clinical
Not ideal for:
- Serious conflict issues
- When one partner won’t engage (it needs both)
- Couples looking for deep therapeutic work
Standout feature: The daily questions are genuinely interesting, not generic icebreakers.
4. Coral - Best for Intimacy and Sex
Price: $15-20/month Available: iOS, Android
What it does: Coral focuses specifically on physical intimacy and sexual connection. Educational content, exercises, and tools for couples dealing with desire discrepancy, performance issues, or just wanting to improve their sex life.
Why it works: It tackles a topic many couples avoid discussing. Having structured exercises makes it easier to address intimacy issues without the awkwardness of bringing it up cold.
Best for:
- Couples where intimacy is the main issue
- Desire discrepancy (mismatched libidos)
- Those who want education, not just tips
- Partners who find it hard to talk about sex directly
Not ideal for:
- Couples whose issues aren’t about intimacy
- When deeper relationship problems are affecting sex (fix those first)
- Those uncomfortable with explicit content
Standout feature: The educational approach normalizes intimacy issues and provides actual exercises, not just articles.
5. Relish - Best for Personalized Coaching
Price: $15/month Available: iOS, Android
What it does: Relish creates personalized lessons and activities based on a quiz about your relationship. It feels more like coaching than self-help. The content adapts based on your specific situation and goals.
Why it works: The personalization makes it feel relevant. You’re not getting generic advice. The lessons are based on your actual relationship profile.
Best for:
- Couples who want tailored guidance
- Those who like a coaching approach
- Partners at different starting points (the app adapts)
- People who’ve been disappointed by one-size-fits-all apps
Not ideal for:
- Acute conflict (it’s more preventive)
- Couples who want complete structure (it’s flexible)
- Those on tight budgets (pricier tier for full features)
Standout feature: The personalization quiz actually affects what content you see.
6. OurRelationship - Best for Evidence-Based Work
Price: Free basic, $40 for full program Available: Web-based
What it does: Developed by researchers at the University of Miami, OurRelationship is a structured online program (not really an app) that walks couples through understanding their core issue, improving communication, and making changes. It’s been studied in clinical trials.
Why it works: It has actual research behind it. The program was developed with federal grants and tested rigorously. Outcomes published in peer-reviewed journals showed significant improvements.
Best for:
- Couples who want the most evidence-backed option
- Those willing to commit to a structured program
- Budget-conscious couples (free version is substantial)
- People who trust academic/research credentials
Not ideal for:
- Those wanting a polished app experience (it’s web-based, less slick)
- Couples who need flexibility (it’s structured)
- Quick-fix seekers (it requires commitment)
Standout feature: Actual clinical trial data showing it works.
Honorable Mentions
Gottman Card Decks (Free-$5) Digital versions of Gottman’s conversation starter cards. Simple but useful for sparking meaningful conversations. Not a full relationship app, but worth having.
Love Nudge (Free) Based on the 5 Love Languages. Helps you understand and speak your partner’s love language. Lightweight but effective if love languages resonate with you.
Blueheart ($15/month) Another intimacy-focused app, more focused on touch and physical connection exercises. Alternative to Coral if that one doesn’t click.
How to Choose
Start with your actual problem:
“We fight and can’t recover well” → LoveFix. Built specifically for conflict repair.
“We’ve drifted apart and feel disconnected” → Paired or Lasting. Daily habits rebuild connection over time.
“Our sex life needs help” → Coral. It’s designed for exactly this.
“We want to build a stronger foundation” → Lasting or Relish. Structured programs for growth.
“We want something research-backed” → OurRelationship. Clinical trials and everything.
“I don’t know what our problem is” → Start with Lasting or Relish. The assessment process helps clarify.
Consider your style:
| If you… | Try |
|---|---|
| Want structure and curriculum | Lasting, OurRelationship |
| Prefer flexibility | Relish, Paired |
| Need help NOW | LoveFix |
| Like fun over clinical | Paired |
| Value research credentials | OurRelationship |
Think about budget:
| Budget | Best Options |
|---|---|
| Free | OurRelationship (basic), Gottman Card Decks, LoveFix (Welcome Free Session) |
| Under $10/mo | LoveFix |
| $10-15/mo | Lasting, Paired, Relish |
| $15-20/mo | Coral, full-featured tiers |
What About Therapy Apps?
Apps like Regain, Talkspace, and BetterHelp connect you with real human therapists via video or messaging. They cost $200-400/month.
That’s a different category. If you need a human professional, those platforms are worth considering. But they’re 10-20x the cost of the apps on this list.
For most couples, starting with a relationship app makes sense. If it’s not enough, you can always escalate to online therapy or in-person sessions.
Do Relationship Apps Actually Work? The Evidence
Lasting: Published research showed 94% of users reported relationship improvement. Partnerships with employee wellness programs suggest corporate confidence in outcomes.
OurRelationship: Multiple randomized controlled trials. Published in journals including Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Statistically significant improvements vs control groups.
Paired: User surveys report high satisfaction. Less formal research than Lasting or OurRelationship.
LoveFix: Built on Gottman Method principles, which have 40+ years of research behind them. The app itself is newer, so app-specific outcome studies are still developing.
Coral: Backed by sexual health research. Partnerships with healthcare providers suggest clinical credibility.
The honest take: The apps built on established therapeutic frameworks (Gottman, EFT, attachment theory) are applying proven methods in new formats. OurRelationship has the strongest app-specific research. Others have strong theoretical foundations even if app-specific studies are limited.
Red Flags: Apps to Avoid
Not every relationship app is worth your time. Watch out for:
No clear methodology: If an app can’t explain what research or framework it’s based on, it’s probably just vibes.
Overpromising: “Save your marriage in 7 days!” No. Relationships take ongoing work.
One partner only: Apps that only one partner uses rarely help relationships. Both people need to engage.
Subscription traps: Check cancellation policies. Some apps make it hard to leave.
Data concerns: Relationship data is sensitive. Check privacy policies. If they’re vague about what happens to your information, be cautious.
Making Any App Work
The app matters less than how you use it. A few principles:
Both partners commit. One person can’t app their way to a better relationship. You both have to engage.
Consistency beats intensity. 10 minutes daily beats 2 hours once a month. Build a habit.
Apply what you learn. Reading about communication skills means nothing if you don’t use them in real conversations.
Be patient. Relationships didn’t get where they are overnight. Apps don’t fix them overnight either.
Know when to escalate. If you’ve used an app consistently for 2-3 months and nothing’s changing, it might be time for professional help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an app really help my relationship?
Yes, but with limits. Apps are effective for skill-building, communication improvement, and daily maintenance. They’re not substitutes for professional therapy when you’re dealing with serious issues like abuse, addiction, or severe mental health challenges.
What if my partner won’t use an app with me?
Start with something low-pressure like Paired. If they won’t engage with anything, that itself is information about their investment in the relationship. Consider individual therapy to figure out your options.
How long before we see results?
Varies by issue and app. Some couples notice shifts in a few weeks. Others need a few months of consistent use. The apps focused on daily habits (Lasting, Paired) tend to show gradual improvement. Conflict-focused apps (LoveFix) can help immediately during specific situations.
Are free relationship apps any good?
OurRelationship’s free tier is substantial and research-backed. Gottman Card Decks are free or cheap and useful. Most other free apps are limited versions designed to upsell you. You often get what you pay for.
Should I use an app or see a therapist?
Depends on severity. For communication improvement, daily friction, and building better habits, apps work well. If cost is the main factor, start with affordable couples therapy alternatives. For trauma, abuse, addiction, infidelity, or serious mental health issues, you need professional help. Many couples use both: apps for daily support, therapist for deeper work.
The Bottom Line
Relationship apps that actually work share a few things: they’re based on real research, they require both partners to engage, and they match your specific problem.
LoveFix for conflict repair. Lasting for daily habits. Paired for reconnection. Coral for intimacy. Relish for personalized coaching. OurRelationship for the most evidence-backed approach.
Pick the one that fits your situation. Use it consistently. And remember: the app is a tool. The work is still yours to do together.
Prices reflect 2025-2026 market rates and may vary by location. We recommend verifying current pricing directly with providers.
Ready to transform your conflicts into connection? At LoveFix, we believe every couple can learn the art of beautiful repair. Try our guided conflict resolution sessions and discover how your cracks can become your gold.
At the time of this article we are offering up to two free sessions on new accounts.
Join now and choose repair.