Thanks to the internet, relationships are now easier to deal with, because social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have made the world a smaller place, and communication a lot easier.

In fact, because of technology, long-distance relationships are more bearable, and have gotten more common. Just fire up your chat app of choice: Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Line, WeChat, and you’re chatting the hours away with your sweetheart.

More than the standard chat apps, there is also a growing choice of “couple apps,” which are closed-circuit apps exclusive to a couple.

However, a skeptic (or a guy) might ask: “What do you need a “couple app” for? Why can’t the couples just use the standard messaging apps?”

The Rationale

For one, a lot of people are getting burned out with the “noise” on Facebook and Twitter. Even with the 1.65 Billion active users on Facebook as of the first quarter of 2016, there’s still a massive 6 Billion or so users who are not on Facebook.

In fact, many tech pundits have actively started swearing off these platforms.

So, while WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and other encrypted chat apps exist for the techies, how about for the mushy girls? Girls like all the hearts, flowers, bears, and other cutesy emoticons. Seriously, no matter how old we get, they’ll always be cute.

And so, closed-circuit chat apps exclusively for couples have a ready market—the girls who need them, and the guys who accede to the need for mush.

The Essentials

Personally, I would like to keep one app that tracks the number of days I’ve been with my significant other, and another couple app that’s primarily a closed-circuit app. The various couple apps have different, unique features, and we outline them in this article.

There are other relationship apps that also bring fun to a relationship, such as those that award “points” for when one’s significant other does something nice. We outline them in this article, just for you.

Been Together

Apps for Couples -- Couple Apps: Been Together

This simple app is just a tracker that shows you the number of days you’ve, well, been together as a couple. The reason why you have to download and keep this on your phone is so that you’ll be reminded of how long your relationship has lasted.

While it may seem to be just another space-consuming app on your device, it may do wonders for your relationship: Keeping a splash/lock screen of those number of days will remind you of how far you’ve come. Sometimes, a visual reminder of one’s relationship can remind you of how special your love is.

As they say, a picture says a thousand words, and a lock screen of you and your honey, plus the number of days, months, years of togetherness may be the key to reminding you why you’re in the relationship, and why you’re staying.

Download on the Android and the iOS.

Couple

Apps for Couples -- Couple Apps: Couple

Of all the couple chat and messaging apps, Couple counts among one of the best. They have integrated a communication feature, the “Thumbkiss,” that lets the couple put their thumbs at the same location on the phone.

When the couple finds each other’s thumb on their respective screens, the screen lights up in red. So aside from messaging, there’s that cute way to connect, across the miles.

Apps for Couples -- Couple Apps: Couple on Desktop

The Couple app also has a calendar of important dates and other events, as well as lists for groceries, bucket lists, and whatever else you need to tick off as a couple.

There’s also a shared diary in “Moments,” as well as a web app for using if one or both of you are on a laptop. It’s the most robust Couple app, so far.

Download on the Android, the iOS, or use from your Browser.

Kouply

Apps for Couples -- Couple Apps: Kouply

Gamification is all the rage, and who says you can’t gamify your relationship, too? Kouply does that for you and your significant other, by letting you award points to each other for doing something nice. It’s a way to add positive reinforcement to relationship-building gestures that may motivate both of you to do more for each other.

Kouply is here to help you “reignite” or to keep the fun and excitement in your relationship. The concept may prove effective, that according to GeekWire, “This mobile game might just save your marriage.” The founders and developers hope to see Kouply being prescribed by therapists in marriage counseling. But why wait to get to that point, when you can start today?

If your wife left you a delicious meatloaf before she went out with her girlfriends, give her 100 points. If your husband took out the trash and washed the dishes, too, send him 250 points. And if you guys are extra-competitive, nothing’s stopping you from competing against other couples on a global leaderboard.

Apps for Couples -- Couple Apps: Kouply on Windows

Personally, though, just the mere positive reinforcement should be a bit of a push and a motivating factor to do nice things for each other.

For the moment, Kouply is only available on iOS and Windows.

Other Couple Chat Apps

If you’re not comfortable with Couple or the other apps mentioned above, here are other Couple Chat/Communication apps, and their features.

Avocado

Apps for Couples -- Couple Apps: Avocado

Avocado is probably the next best app to Couple. It’s very robust, and like Couple, it has a browser version. It does not have “Thumbkiss,” but has features that may be better than the “Thumbkiss”: Hugs and Kisses.

Apps for Couples -- Couple Apps: Avocado on Desktop

When you “hug” your significant other, you’ll have to put your device “against your heart” to send a hug. Putting your whole palm against the screen will also work, though. As for “kisses,” you can just tap the screen on your significant other’s photo. If you want to put a kiss on the cheek, no one’s stopping you. To make it more fun, though, you can always kiss the screen. Just make sure no one else is looking.

As for “kisses,” you can just tap the screen on your significant other’s photo. If you want to put a kiss on the cheek, no one’s stopping you. To make it more fun, though, you can always kiss the screen. Just make sure no one else is looking.

Download on the Android, the iOS, or use from your browser.

Couplete

Apps for Couples -- Couple Apps: Couplete

This one is a one-stop couple communication app that has a chat function, a diary, and a calendar. It also shows the number of days that you and your honey have been together. However, it does not have “Thumbkiss,” and neither does it display your length of time of togetherness as a splash screen. It does have a wishlist, which you can use to give hints about what your significant other should get you for your special dates. It isn’t as robust as Couple, but it’s pretty useful.

However, it does not have “Thumbkiss,” and neither does it display your length of time of togetherness as a splash screen. It does have a wishlist, which you can use to give hints about what your significant other should get you for your special dates. It isn’t as robust as Couple, but it’s pretty useful.

Download on the Android and the iOS.

Between

Apps for Couples -- Couple Apps: Between

Between is a lot like Couplete in that it isn’t as robust as either Avocado or Couple. It has a calendar, a diary, and a length of relationship tracker, as well as a chat app.

One thing that it has over the other couple chat apps, though, is a “walkie-talkie” feature, that could prove fun when you’re just hanging out together. It may beat Skyping.

Download on the Android and the iOS.

2Life

Apps for Couples -- Couple Apps: 2Life

This app sadly isn’t on the Android, but for iOS users, this is a great relationship app. It has the standard calendar, journal, lists features. It also has a section for sharing links, aptly named, well, “links.”

But the main reason why you need to download this app if you are on iOS is that it also has a great section that could be a lifesaver for clueless couples: The Daily section. The “Daily” section holds great relationship help articles that are perfect for those who are always looking to improve their relationship.

With topics such as “Relationships,” “Nesting,” “Food,” “Travel,” and more, this is an excellent way to add fresh ideas to your relationship.

Download on the iOS.

The Wrap

I’d keep the apps Couple, Avocado, and Been Together if I were on the Android.

Couple, Avocado, Been Together, and 2Life, if I were on the iOS.

I already have all apps on my devices. My significant other and I are not that big on gamification, but we are big fans of Couple and Avocados app features.

If I ever encounter a couple on the rocks, I’d certainly suggest Kouply to them. Who knows, it may save their relationship, as long as they add the game to couples’ therapy, or reading relational self-help books and articles.

The bottom line is that these apps will only enhance an already healthy relationship. Both the individuals in the relationship must work to understand each other and communicate better in general. Add these apps to a relationship where both are trying and doing their best to help each other feel appreciated, reach their goals, and grow together, and what you get is a fun-filled and sparkly romance.

We hope that you and your better half enjoy using these apps and have a blessed life together!