Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but it can also be a strain on your relationship. Luckily, technology has made navigating long-distance relationships a bit easier. There are plenty more options to use than just FaceTime; in fact, there’s now an abundance of apps geared at long-distance couples, though that doesn’t mean all of them are helpful.
We’ve been covering technology since 2008 and have trained ourselves to spot the difference between a useful tool and a data-draining timesuck. In this case, we waded through the app stores to find the apps for long-distance couples that will help shrink the distance between you and your loved one.
How we rated the best apps for long-distance couples
WhistleOut searches for Android and iPhone apps that are easy to use and affordable. We evaluate apps through hands-on testing and rate them on a five-star scale based on the following criteria:
- User experience: We search for apps that enhance the user experience, improving the power of your phone and making your life less complicated. The apps we recommend are intuitive, allowing users to put them to use as soon as they open them.
- Price & value: We select apps that charge minimal download fees and tend to favor apps that don't charge anything. We do include some apps that charge fees, though we guarantee that they're worth the price tag.
- Efficacy: App developers like to talk a big game; we test their products to see if they deliver on their promises.
- Practicality: Your phone has a limited amount of storage, so you don't want to clog it with single-use apps that don't improve your day-to-day life. We reward apps that are worth their weight in data.
- Privacy & security: We evaluate the permissions an app requests, sussing out the legitimate from the suspect. We also scour user reviews on relevant app stores to see if customers are reporting security concerns and investigate the veracity of those complaints.
The 5 best apps FOR
long-distance couples
Signal
Secure messaging, no matter where you are
Texting has become an essential part of a long-distance relationship, especially when traveling abroad or maintaining a relationship across borders. WhatsApp was once the gold standard for long-distance messaging, but we grew wary of the app after it was purchased by Meta, which led to concerns about the longterm security of user data. Luckily, a more trustworthy alternative exists in Signal.
Signal boasts end-to-end encryption, meaning your messages remain safe and secure. If you decide to delete them, they will actually be deleted. Those details are why Signal is primarily known as a trusted resource for journalists and activists, but it’s just as useful for long-distance couples looking to stay in touch. Signal has more robust messaging than Apple’s iMessage (including the capability for much larger group chats) and better safeguards than the video-messaging of Instagram or Snapchat.
The app is also owned and operated by the non-profit Signal Foundation, ensuring that it remains committed to privacy and security. Unlike other popular messaging apps, Signal isn’t interested in harvesting the data of your relationship—they’re interested in protecting it.
The verdict:
- User experience
- Price and value
- Efficacy
- Practicality
- Privacy & security
Wever
Bingewatch together from separate couches
Free from Apple
Even if you’re thousands of miles apart, that doesn’t mean you have to watch the latest season of your favorite show alone. (In fact, some couples might consider that cheating!) Sure, you could hop on FaceTime and cue your respective streamers up, but that’s a headache often doesn’t even work. We recommend using Wever instead.
There’s no shortage of “watch party” apps and options, but we like the simplicity and access Wever provides. Unlike Teleparty or Amazon’s Watch Party, the app doesn’t require every participant to log into a streaming account. Instead, the host can create a private room where they can stream from their Netflix or YouTube account. Inviting your partner is easy: just text or email the room’s link. Once they’ve joined, you can both chat along with the video in real time, no matter where they are.
The app is still rather young, but we’re excited for the future. It looks like they’re rolling out a premium version ($29.99/year), though it’s not clear what upgrades that affords you. Until we figure that out, we’ll keep using the free version.
The verdict:
- User experience
- Price and value
- Efficacy
- Practicality
- Privacy & security
TimeTree
Get back on the same page with this shared calendar
One of the more difficult parts of doing long distance is making space to catch up. Work, family, and time zones can get in the way if you don’t actively plan for dedicated relationship time. TimeTree makes planning a breeze, with a shared calendar, expansive options for creating events, and a number of other features for long-distance romantics. You could create a shared Google Calendar, of course, but TimeTree offers more, including chat rooms for events, shared to-do lists, and a sleeker interface. You can also sync the app with your default Android/iOS calendar, bringing multiple calendars into one clean control center.
Schedule a FaceTime date or a movie session, or set a reminder to wish your partner luck on the day of a big work event. No matter what you deem worth of a calendar event, TimeTree allows long-distance couples to stay aligned even when they’re on opposite sides of the country or the globe.
The verdict:
- User experience
- Price and value
- Efficacy
- Practicality
- Privacy & security
Paired
Quizzes and games from relationship experts
Being physically apart can exacerbate other problems in a relationship, causing couples to feel emotionally distant as well. Paired tries to nip that problem in the bud, offering opportunities for couples to build trust, intimacy, and strength through its guided reflections and relationship-themed games.
We know what you’re thinking: okay, sounds great, but I can Google a few listicles with relationship questions. Fair enough. The key difference with Paired is that these aren’t randomly assembled prompts; they’re constructed by relationship clinicians and counselors who aim to improve communication, vulnerability, and intimacy. The app prompts you and your partner to participate in exercises that work towards your shared goals. This isn’t a way to pass the time; it’s a way to get more out of it.
The basic app is free, while the premium Paired Pro version, which allows you to access over 1,000 questions and exercises, costs $74.99/year. You can try Pro for free for seven days if you like, but we recommend playing around with the free version before you hand over any payment information.
The verdict:
- User experience
- Price and value
- Efficacy
- Practicality
- Privacy & security
Plato
Low-key party games to keep it light
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for a long-distance relationship is spend some much-needed fun time together, even if that means virtually. The COVID-19 pandemic popularized a number of party game apps, though most of them charge annual subscriptions. Plato is different, with dozens of free multiplayer games accessible to anyone who downloads the app.
Reminiscent of the simple web-based games of the early 2000s, Plato allows users to futz around with Pool, Table Soccer, a handful of card games, and a number of adventure-themed narratives. All you need to do is pick a game, create a room, then invite your partner. If you’re not interested in creating one more log-in, you don’t need to: Plato will allow you to play with an anonymous handle.
It’s not the most sophisticated app, and we’re sure hardcore gamers will scoff at the design and gameplay, but we’re guessing you’re not here to learn about the cutting edge. For couples looking to pass the time in one another’s virtual company, it hits the mark.
The verdict:- User experience
- Price and value
- Efficacy
- Practicality
- Privacy & security
How WhistleOut reviews apps
Our mobile experts scour the app stores every month, looking for the best new apps for Android and iPhone. Before recommending an app, we use the app for at least one full workday, testing its basic functionality and evaluating whether or not it delivers on its promises. From there, we weigh the app's pros and cons, and then determine whether or not it's a worthwhile download for basic cell phone users.
-
Easy to use
Great apps simplify your phone. We selected the tools that don't require a complicated instructional manual. -
Affordability
The internet is filled with expensive price tags, but we're not buying what they're selling. We leaned into inexpensive, quality apps. Extra points if they're free! -
Hands-on testing
We played around with these before recommending them, ensuring they're worth your download.
From there, we weigh the app's pros and cons and then determine whether or not it's a worthwhile download for the wider population of cell phone users.
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