Last updated: March 2026
Lasting is a solid relationship education app, but it’s not for everyone. Maybe the price feels steep for self-guided content. Maybe you need real-time conflict help, not scheduled lessons. Maybe one partner won’t commit to regular sessions. Or maybe you’ve tried Lasting and hit its ceiling.
Whatever the reason, here are the best alternatives, what each does differently, and which one fits your situation.
Quick Comparison
| App | Monthly Cost | Best For | Real-Time Help | Therapist Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LoveFix | $9.99 | Conflict repair, crisis moments | Yes, 24/7 | AI guide (Sage) |
| Paired | ~$7 (annual) or $14.99 | Daily connection, light engagement | No | No |
| Relish | Varies by plan | Personalized learning path | No | Coaching may vary by plan |
| OurRelationship | Free basic / $40 full | Evidence-based program on a budget | No | No |
| Regain | $260-400 | Licensed couples therapy online | By appointment | Yes, licensed therapist |
Why Look for Lasting Alternatives?
Most people looking for alternatives to Lasting fall into one of these camps:
The price. At $29.99/month, Lasting is one of the more expensive relationship apps for what’s essentially self-guided content. The 6-month plan ($89.99, ~$15/month) is more reasonable, but that’s a significant upfront commitment before knowing if the app works for you. For the dedicated plan-by-plan breakdown, see the Lasting app pricing guide.
The gap in real-time support. Lasting teaches you about conflict patterns during calm moments. But when the actual argument is happening at 11pm, the app has nothing to offer. Several Lasting users have flagged this as the most frustrating limitation.
One partner won’t participate. Lasting works best when both partners are actively engaged. If one person keeps skipping sessions or treats it as homework, the value drops significantly.
You want more than education. Lasting is an excellent classroom. But if you need something that intervenes in the moment, not just teaches, you’ve outgrown what it offers.
1. LoveFix: Best for Conflict Repair and Real-Time Support
Price: $9.99/month (both partners included) Best for: Couples who fight in patterns they can’t break, need help during or after conflicts Methodology: Gottman Method
LoveFix addresses Lasting’s biggest gap head-on. Where Lasting teaches you about conflict patterns as educational content, LoveFix helps you through an actual conflict in real time.
Each partner gets a private conversation with Sage, LoveFix’s AI guide. You process your side of the conflict separately before receiving shared insights. This mirrors effective therapy: creating space for each person to feel heard before working toward resolution.
What it does that Lasting doesn’t:
- Real-time support during and after conflicts (24/7)
- Private processing spaces (your partner doesn’t see your initial responses)
- Gottman-based guidance applied to your specific situation, not as a general lesson
- Available at 11pm on a Sunday when the fight is actually happening
What Lasting does that LoveFix doesn’t:
- Comprehensive curriculum across 12+ relationship topics
- Therapist-led live workshops
- Broader educational scope (finances, family culture, sexual desire as standalone topics)
The bottom line: If your primary need is help when things go wrong, LoveFix at $9.99/month fills the exact gap that makes people leave Lasting. If you want both education and crisis support, they combine well for less than Lasting’s monthly price alone. For the direct head-to-head, see LoveFix vs Lasting.
2. Paired: Best for Daily Micro-Connection
Price: ~$7/month (annual plan, ~$84/year) or $14.99/month Best for: Couples who are drifting apart and want light, daily engagement Methodology: Expert-created content, gamified approach
Paired takes the opposite approach to Lasting. Where Lasting offers deep, structured education, Paired offers light, daily micro-interactions: questions, quizzes, games, and conversation prompts. It’s designed to feel fun, not like homework.
Expert content includes material from TherapyJeff (popular TikTok therapist). One subscription covers both partners. The gamification elements (streaks, challenges) help maintain daily engagement.
Choose Paired over Lasting if: You want something lighter that keeps you connected daily without the commitment of structured sessions. Paired is better for drift than for damage.
The limitation: Paired won’t help during a fight. If you’re mid-argument, a daily quiz about your love language isn’t useful. For conflict repair, LoveFix is the better tool.
3. Relish: Best for Personalized Self-Guided Learning
Price: $99.99/6 months ($16.67/month) Basic in published comparisons; coaching pricing may vary by plan
Best for: Couples who want assessment-based personalization without workshops
Methodology: Multi-framework, psychology-based
Relish offers a similar core experience to Lasting: assessment-based personalization, structured lessons, and reflection exercises across topics like communication, trust, intimacy, and emotions. The assessment genuinely shapes your learning path.
The Premium plan has historically added 1-on-1 relationship coaching via messaging, which can move the total closer to therapy pricing for non-therapist guidance.
The caveat: Relish’s visible product and pricing footprint is less straightforward to verify than larger competitors. Treat it as an option to trial carefully rather than assuming current pricing, coaching access, or product depth from older reviews.
Choose Relish over Lasting if: You specifically prefer Relish’s assessment style and don’t need workshops. Confirm current pricing and coaching details before committing.
4. OurRelationship: Best Free Alternative
Price: Free basic program / $40 for full program Best for: Budget-conscious couples who want an evidence-based program Methodology: University-developed (University of Miami), clinical trial evidence
OurRelationship is the only relationship app with published clinical trial data showing effectiveness. Developed by researchers at the University of Miami, it offers a structured program that walks couples through identifying and addressing a core relationship issue.
The free version provides meaningful value. The $40 full program is a one-time payment, not a subscription. It’s less polished than Lasting and narrower in scope (focused on one issue at a time), but the evidence base is stronger than any commercial competitor.
Choose OurRelationship over Lasting if: Budget is a primary concern, you want a research-backed program, and you don’t need the breadth of topics Lasting covers. It’s the best free option in the space.
5. Regain: Best for Licensed Couples Therapy Online
Price: $260-400/month ($70-100/week, billed every 4 weeks) Best for: Couples who need actual therapy with a licensed professional Methodology: Varies by therapist
Regain is fundamentally different from Lasting. It’s an online therapy platform that connects you with a licensed couples therapist for video, phone, and messaging sessions. Owned by BetterHelp/Teladoc, it’s the most established online couples therapy option.
This isn’t a Lasting alternative in the traditional sense. It’s the next level up. If Lasting’s self-guided education isn’t enough and you need professional clinical support, Regain provides what no app can: a trained therapist working with your specific relationship.
Choose Regain over Lasting if: Your issues are serious enough to warrant professional therapy, not just education. Regain is not an alternative for people who find Lasting too expensive; it costs 10-20x more. It’s an alternative for people who find Lasting insufficient.
How to Choose
The decision depends on your primary need:
“We need help during fights”: Choose LoveFix. Nothing else on this list provides real-time conflict support.
“We’re drifting and need to reconnect”: Choose Paired. Light, daily, gamified. Low barrier to entry.
“We want structured learning but cheaper”: Choose OurRelationship (free/$40) or LoveFix ($9.99).
“We want personalized education”: Choose Relish if you confirm the current plan details, or Lasting itself if you want the more established structured curriculum.
“We need an actual therapist”: Choose Regain, or find a local couples therapist. No app replaces clinical help for serious issues.
A Different Approach: LoveFix
If you’re leaving Lasting because it couldn’t help you in the moments that matter most, LoveFix was built specifically for those moments. Real-time Gottman-based guidance during and after conflicts. Private processing for each partner. Available 24/7. $9.99/month.
| What | LoveFix | Traditional Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $9.99/month | $150-250/session |
| Availability | 24/7 | By appointment |
| Wait time | Immediate | Days to weeks |
| Privacy | AI-only, private spaces | Face-to-face |
| Focus | Conflict repair & skill building | Broad exploration |
| Approach | Gottman-based | Varies by therapist |
| Both partners | Separate private spaces | Same room |
For a closer Lasting-only assessment, read the Lasting app review and is Lasting worth it? guides.
FAQ
What is the cheapest alternative to Lasting?
OurRelationship offers a free basic program and a $40 one-time full program. LoveFix at $9.99/month is the most affordable subscription option. Paired at ~$7/month (annual) is the cheapest for daily engagement.
Which Lasting alternative is best for conflict?
LoveFix. It’s the only option on this list designed specifically for real-time conflict repair. All other apps (including Lasting) provide education or connection, not crisis intervention.
Can I use a Lasting alternative with my therapist?
Yes. LoveFix, Paired, and OurRelationship all work well as between-session tools. Many therapists appreciate when clients have a way to practice skills between appointments. Lasting itself is used by thousands of therapists as a complementary tool.
Is there a free version of Lasting?
Lasting offers a limited free tier (Foundations series, conversation starters, select sessions). For a fully free alternative with more substance, OurRelationship is the best option.
Which alternatives work for long-distance couples?
All of them work remotely. Paired is particularly popular with long-distance couples because of its daily engagement model. LoveFix’s private processing model is useful when you can’t be in the same room during conflicts.