Best Premarital Assessments (2026)
Chrissie installed 3 apps on iOS, used each one, and scored them against the same rubric.
Tested hands-on by Chrissie Ankerberg·Updated September 2026·3 apps compared
The ranking
Scored by hand on one public rubric. Select an app to read its review.
The reviewer
We paid for the review, not the result
Chrissie AnkerbergChicago, Illinois · tested on iOS
“Foccus is the best choice for couples looking for a Catholic-inspired assessment that would be influenced by Catholic leaders and partners with many Catholic churches.”
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Chrissie Ankerberg is a wife, mother of three, and member of Cityview Community Church in Illinois. She enjoys writing as one of the best ways to work the gospel into her own heart.
Prepare-Enrich is great for many stages of a relationship, including transitions like parenting and adoption/fostering, etc. It is also backed by some well-known organizations, like Focus on the Family.
SYMBIS is mostly appropriate for premarital and marital counseling.
New to premarital assessmentsPrepare/Enrich
Church or familyPrepare/Enrich
Worth paying forNone of them
The one to skipFOCCUS
App reviews
In ranked order
“The one catch is that I can't see how much the facilitator charges. The assessment is only $35 and takes 30 minutes, but I cannot tell how much you will be charged to go over results and/or any follow-up materials.”
✓ Would keep using Design 10/10
+This website was the easiest to navigate and find information about. You can also access a sample report if you sign up for one.
–Not sure how much you will be charged to do any post-assessment work/review.
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On the designVery simple and easy to find what you need and where to start.
What you get freeYou cannot start the process without connecting to a facilitator who will administer the assessment and follow-up services.
Price per coupleThe assessment cost is $35 per couple. However, many Facilitators will take care of payment and bundle the fee into other services they are providing, so check with the Facilitator directly for the most accurate rate.
Facilitator trainingYes, it costs $250 and takes 3 hours for facilitators to be trained
LengthThe assessment will take each person around 30 minutes to complete. Assessment length can vary depending on how many customizations you receive in your question set.
ReportYes, a report is sent to your facilitator who reviews it with you
Faith versionsCatholic, Protestant, Jewish, Orthodox Christian, Interfaith
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“There are not as many offerings on this website as Prepare/Enrich. For example, there are no assessments for other areas of life, like exploring adoption as a couple, etc. I also saw non-Christian facilitators on the website, which is something Christians should just be aware of. Not sure what that says about the content of the assessment without being able to see it.”
On the fence Design 8/10
+It focuses strongly on pre-marriage and marriage assessments. It shows you on the website which aspects of marriage will be focused on
–Not sure how much you will be charged to do any post-assessment work/review. Doesn't appear to have other languages available.
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On the designThe FAQ was difficult to find, but important to answering many of my questions.
Did a paywall hit?No, it just directs you to finding a facilitator.
Price per coupleSome counselors include the assessment as part of their counseling fees. Some will have you purchase the assessment on your own. It retails for $35 per couple and with the new edition of Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, you can receive a discount code when you purchase the book.
Facilitator trainingYes, you can be certified for $200
ReportAfter you complete the assessment, your facilitator is notified and contacts you to schedule your sessions.
Faith versionsCould not tell, but I saw a Muslim facilitator on the website, along with several other denominations.
LanguagesNot sure. The books the founders wrote are translated in many languages, but it's not clear how many languages are available for the assessment.
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“This is a resource mostly focused on Catholic couples. It offers/will offer a considerable amount of specificity in assessments (e.g., military couples, first responder couples), but it seems like it's most appropriately accessed through a participating parish.”
✕ Wouldn't keep it Design 6/10
+This is a good assessment for people looking for a theologically Catholic-inspired assessment that partners predominantly with Catholic churches.
–Not sure how much you will be charged to do any post-assessment work/review.
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On the designWhile there was a lot on the website, it took a long time for me to find out where to begin if interested in pursuing it. I imagine most marketing comes directly from a participating church who utilizes it.
Price per coupleNot clear
Facilitator trainingYes, Foccus offers flexible, faith-centered certification options for those preparing engaged couples for marriage or enriching relationships among married couples. Every participant learns how to interpret the Foccus Couple Report, lead meaningful discussions, and strengthen communication skills grounded in Catholic teaching.
LengthNot clear. I could not find an FAQ section and to get access to the assessment, you needed to connect with a facilitator.
ReportYes, a report goes to your facilitator. Not clear if you also get a copy sent to you directly.
Faith versionsTheologically guided by Catholicism, but available to other faiths.
Chrissie's screenshots (5)Hide screenshots
Feature comparison9 features compared across 3 apps.
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✓ has feature
✕ confirmed none
? not yet verified
Independent ranking. Every app here is scored the same way. Nobody can pay to rank higher. Scored by hand by Chrissie.
Looking for more options?This ranking covers our top picks. The directory lists every Marriage app with user ratings and platform filters.
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