# CaringBridge — user reviews

> 316 indexed App Store user reviews of CaringBridge by CaringBridge.org, rated 4.90/5 from 19,468 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caringbridge/id365726944/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caringbridge/id365726944.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 18,364 · 4★ 695 · 3★ 114 · 2★ 95 · 1★ 200

## What do users think of CaringBridge?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🙏 Helpful for keeping loved ones updated
- 📢 Effective communication tool
- 🕰️ Saves time from repeated updates
- 🤝 Brings community support
- 🗓️ Useful journal/record of journey
- 🔒 Secure and private platform

**Cons**

- 🐛 Buggy, glitchy app
- 🤔 Confusing/misleading donation wording
- 👨‍💻 Not user-friendly, needs UI improvements
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate/find information

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App freezing/crashing issues
- Inability to view recent updates
- Sharing/linking functionality problems
- Inconsistent behavior across platforms

**Most requested features**

- Improve app stability and performance
- Clarify donation process and usage
- Enhance user experience and navigation
- Provide better notification system

## Newest reviews (17 of 316)

### 3/5 — Almost there

*2026-07-23, version 9.8.0*

Would be perfect if there was an option for people to get text updates and not need to have an account to interact… people I sent the link to were confused about needing to sign up for something before even understand what it was.. and if people don’t get quick updates such as text when I post then what’s the point? That means I’ll need to text update still

### 2/5 — Calendar

*2026-07-18, version 9.8.0*

I’m disappointed this app does t have a shared calendar where we can post appointments or events from the “request” option so our family can see all the events in one place rather than scrolling and scrolling and scrolling to see past requests and enter it into a separate calendar app for appointments and things we are signing up to do as a family.

### 2/5 — Loving Lainey

*2026-05-19, version 9.6.0*

The re question for my net for this app is in my face. I donated so please remove. I cannot navigate the app without your request for money front and center!

### 4/5 — Donations

*2026-05-16, version 9.6.0*

it would be nice if I could turn off the request for donations

### 4/5 — Updates and badging

*2026-05-11, version 9.6.0*

I’m constantly missing updates in this app.  For a long time, it was because I opened it so rarely, I’d get signed out silently and stop getting updates. Now I’m realizing you’re not badging the app either. I like how you organize the information and all, but please start badging the app. I get so many notifications that yours get lost in the mix. In most apps, I can just check the badge and know if I’ve missed something.  It’s disappointing that I can’t with this app that I consider important. 

I set up a reminder to open the app occasionally just to keep from logging out now, but not having the badging continues to be a real problem.

### 2/5 — Mobile app is letting people down

*2026-04-21, version 9.5.2*

Half of my invited people are unable to join. And I keep getting error messages. Very disappointing.

### 3/5 — Review responses

*2026-03-21, version 9.5.0*

It’s very frustrating to read people’s reviews about issues. They have but not to see a CaringBridge response. All the responses seem to request that the reviewer reached out directly to Caring Bridge customer convenien service. Redundant for them, not very satisfying for readers.

### 4/5 — Great Site but Donation button is confusing

*2026-03-19, version 9.5.0*

This is a great site however several people who have wanted to donate are getting confused by the large red donation button at the top of the personal page that states donate to Caringbridge.  There are a few different locations on the site to donate to Caringbridge and none for the person unless it’s set up through gofundme.  It takes an additional step and precious time for loved ones to have to set up a completely different site.  It would be helpful if the button to donate on the personal page accessed the persons donation location and not the Caringbridge’s donation location.

### 2/5 — Push Notifications = Ads

*2026-03-18, version 9.5.0*

It’s so sad and pathetic that while we watch for news on our friends and family, we have to endure constant pleas for money! It’s truly wrong to take advantage of the notification settings to force this donation agenda, as if it wasn’t bad enough in the app!!!

### 3/5 — Annoying bug on a great site

*2026-02-13, version 9.4.0*

As others have mentioned, when trying to catch up on multiple posts, the reader is always returned to the top of the page instead of where he/she was in the list. It makes one have to “load more posts” multiple times just to get to the next post. Why not have a navigation button in the list of posts? A button that says “next” and one that says “back” would be incredibly helpful. The current way is a massive time hog just to get back to where you were in list. Fix it, PLEASE!!!!

### 1/5 — Makes misleading asks for money

*2026-01-27, version 9.4.0*

CaringBridge asks for donations for itself in a way that makes my friends and family think they are donating to me.   I’ve had three relatives donate money to CaringBridge thinking that it was going to me.  Taking advantage of people who are trying to help out their sick friends and family is a horrible thing to do.

### 2/5 — Something changed

*2026-01-22, version 9.4.0*

When I first set up my CaringBridge account I was impressed and looking forward to using it. But it is no longer user-friendly.

If you look at other less-than-stellar reviews, you’ll notice that they’re not really reviews. They’re requests for help. The company replies to these by telling people to ask for help via their help page. 

Unfortunately, their help page is practically useless. It fails to answer the simplest questions. Using their chat feature is a waste of time, since it doesn’t understand the most basic questions. After a couple of tries, it says it is turning you over to a human. 

Alas, if you’re super unlucky, it tells you no humans are available, but they’ll contact you by email to help that way. That’s better than nothing, but by the time you’ve spent an hour struggling with the app, then struggling with the “help”, you might be pretty aggravated. 

That seems counterproductive for an app that’s supposed to make my life easier while I cope with a life-threatening illness.

Now that I’ve written all that, I’m lowering the rating from three stars to two. The only reason it’s not one star is because I’m holding onto hope that the app will become user friendly and helpful again.

Note to CaringBridge: If you respond to this by telling me to go to your help section, I’ll probably cry.

### 4/5 — dark mode

*2026-01-14, version 9.4.0*

please enable app to work with dark mode on iPhone!

### 1/5 — Comments

*2026-01-07, version 9.4.0*

How do I add people that want to join my caring bridge. This site has so many bugs. My husband accepts being a co author but he is denied.

### 3/5 — Comments

*2026-01-01, version 9.4.0*

where do I find comments keft by visitors

### 1/5 — Stop funding requests!!!

*2025-12-22, version 9.4.0*

Constant requests for funding from the website is off putting.

### 3/5 — Unable to access Page I Authored

*2025-12-15, version 9.0.17*

Cannot get into edit or add Post Update on Brian(Edward) Hunt’s page

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — New format is terrible

*2026-08-03, version 9.8.0*

I’m not sure what’s happening. I use CaringBridge for years in the past for my son and his medical journey and now I’m trying to read updates for different families I follow and it’s impossible and I do not see a way to update it or make it better. The update is completely blacked out and I can’t even read it. I am not even able to read my sons.

### 1/5 — Invisible authored entries

*2026-07-21, version 9.8.0*

I can only see the beginnings of authored entries. “See the rest” link shows blacked out lines but no visible text.

### 1/5 — Posts aren't loading

*2026-07-19, version 9.8.0*

The posts have not been loading for days....why send me emails about new post when the site isn't working?

### 1/5 — Find another option

*2026-07-01, version 9.8.0*

This company preys on people - constantly asking for “tributes” While technically they say it’s for keeping the site up - most people think it’s going to their friend/family.  Often add stress instead of helping. Find another option.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2026-06-20, version 9.7.0*

Can’t log in to the app now matter how I try. Bummer.

### 1/5 — Bug

*2026-05-04, version 9.5.2*

Great app when it works but every time I try to click on a post it closes the app

### 1/5 — App closes down

*2026-03-03, version 9.4.0*

When I try to add my thoughts, the app throws me out. Can you fix this?

### 1/5 — Post blacked out

*2026-02-25, version 9.4.0*

I feel like I’m being extorted for a donation. I cannot read the update about my friend battling cancer. Shame on you!

### 1/5 — Share button doesn’t work

*2026-02-24, version 9.4.0*

The share button in the app doesn’t work on iPad.

### 1/5 — App not working

*2026-02-05, version 9.4.0*

Keep getting message that something is wrong with the app and to report it

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Gratitude

*2026-08-21, version 10.1.0*

Caring Bridge has allowed me to stay abreast of ill friends and family that have medical issues.  I also appreciate leaving a comment so they know I am thinking of them and that I care!

### 5/5 — Awesome communication

*2026-03-10, version 9.5.0*

We were praying and the information came up on the phone. We quickly responded. To let Chris and Corrinne we were patiently waiting to hear from them.  So this is a wonderful way to find out what’s happening to a family member. We will donate to help those who help those that are not able to.

### 5/5 — Suggestions

*2025-12-27, version 9.4.0*

I really like the app/product.  I saves me a lot of time. 
I would like to see several additions:
1. When you list the visitors, please show the time of the last visit. 
2. Add the ability to download the visitor list with in CSV format. 
3. Add the ability to download the entire message stream as a PDF file for posterity. 
I did kick in $50.

### 5/5 — Thank You!

*2025-11-18, version 9.3.0*

Caring Bridge has been such a lifeline for our family. As a patient, it makes a very difficult time easier by allowing me one, secure platform to communicate to loved ones. As a family member of a patient, I appreciate the opportunity to keep up to date. I am glad to donate to this platform to show my gratitude.

### 5/5 — Barbara Murman

*2025-11-17, version 9.3.0*

My husband, Larry Murman passed away. Please close this.

### 5/5 — Caring

*2025-11-07, version 9.3.0*

I was able to keep friends and family updated with my husband’s last few weeks of life. Thank you for this opportunity

### 5/5 — Make it easier to click on reactions

*2025-07-28, version 9.0.22*

It is nearly impossible to click on reactions to see who is interacting with the post. Just have to randomly press around multiple times in the hopes it will work. More often than not, it doesn’t

### 5/5 — Current version of caring bridge

*2025-07-27, version 9.0.17*

You give us an opportunity to make a review.  I am. FYI, I really miss the old version.  Old as in what existed around 2018.  In the current caring bridge, I have a difficult time making hot-buttons work.  I touch favorites.  Nothing.  Thank you for taking feedback.

### 5/5 — The safe space

*2025-07-19, version 9.0.21*

CaringBridge was the safe space I needed to put all my medical updates in one single place and not need to worry about updating other platforms. This was it, and it was mentally and emotionally incredibly energy saving to have just one space to go to give updates. Very easy to add others to update if I’m unable. Excellent program.

### 5/5 — Serena Armstrong

*2025-05-31, version 9.0.21*

Great site that makes it easy to keep in touch with family in need. Couldn’t be better.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*