Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one childcare management platform that automates attendance tracking, parent billing, and secure payments.
- 2#2: Procare Software - Comprehensive childcare solution with advanced billing, accounting integration, and family payment processing.
- 3#3: Jackrabbit Class - Class and childcare management software featuring automated invoicing, recurring billing, and online payments.
- 4#4: EZChildTrack - Affordable childcare tracking software that handles attendance, scheduling, and parent billing efficiently.
- 5#5: Childcare Manager - Cloud-based platform for childcare centers offering invoicing, payment collection, and financial reporting.
- 6#6: HiMama - Childcare app with documentation, parent communication, and integrated billing and payment features.
- 7#7: Tadpoles - Daily childcare management tool that includes attendance logging, daily sheets, and family billing.
- 8#8: Lillio - Mobile-first childcare software providing check-in, observations, and streamlined billing processes.
- 9#9: Sandbox Software - All-in-one childcare management system with attendance, rosters, and automated billing capabilities.
- 10#10: ChildCare Sage - Simple childcare billing software for tracking enrollments, generating invoices, and managing payments.
We selected and ranked these tools by evaluating key factors including feature comprehensiveness, ease of use, integration capabilities, and overall value, ensuring they meet the needs of childcare providers across different scales.
Comparison Table
Childcare providers seeking efficient billing solutions can benefit from this comparison table, which evaluates tools like Brightwheel, Procare Software, Jackrabbit Class, EZChildTrack, Childcare Manager, and more. Each entry covers key features—from invoicing and payment processing to reporting and family communication—helping readers assess functionality. By comparing these options side-by-side, users will gain actionable insights to select software that fits their center’s specific needs and operational style.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one childcare management platform that automates attendance tracking, parent billing, and secure payments. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | Procare Software Comprehensive childcare solution with advanced billing, accounting integration, and family payment processing. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Jackrabbit Class Class and childcare management software featuring automated invoicing, recurring billing, and online payments. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 4 | EZChildTrack Affordable childcare tracking software that handles attendance, scheduling, and parent billing efficiently. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | Childcare Manager Cloud-based platform for childcare centers offering invoicing, payment collection, and financial reporting. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | HiMama Childcare app with documentation, parent communication, and integrated billing and payment features. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | Tadpoles Daily childcare management tool that includes attendance logging, daily sheets, and family billing. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Lillio Mobile-first childcare software providing check-in, observations, and streamlined billing processes. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Sandbox Software All-in-one childcare management system with attendance, rosters, and automated billing capabilities. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | ChildCare Sage Simple childcare billing software for tracking enrollments, generating invoices, and managing payments. | other | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.0/10 |
All-in-one childcare management platform that automates attendance tracking, parent billing, and secure payments.
Comprehensive childcare solution with advanced billing, accounting integration, and family payment processing.
Class and childcare management software featuring automated invoicing, recurring billing, and online payments.
Affordable childcare tracking software that handles attendance, scheduling, and parent billing efficiently.
Cloud-based platform for childcare centers offering invoicing, payment collection, and financial reporting.
Childcare app with documentation, parent communication, and integrated billing and payment features.
Daily childcare management tool that includes attendance logging, daily sheets, and family billing.
Mobile-first childcare software providing check-in, observations, and streamlined billing processes.
All-in-one childcare management system with attendance, rosters, and automated billing capabilities.
Simple childcare billing software for tracking enrollments, generating invoices, and managing payments.
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one childcare management platform that automates attendance tracking, parent billing, and secure payments.
Real-time attendance-synced billing that automatically generates precise invoices and handles prorated days, vacations, and custom rates
Brightwheel is a comprehensive childcare management platform with advanced billing features designed specifically for daycare centers, preschools, and family childcare providers. It automates invoicing based on real-time attendance tracking, custom schedules, tuition rates, multi-child discounts, and subsidy integrations, ensuring accurate and timely billing. The parent app enables seamless online payments, receipt generation, and communication, significantly reducing administrative workload.
Pros
- Automated attendance-based invoicing with support for complex billing scenarios like subsidies and late fees
- Seamless parent payment portal with multiple methods including ACH and credit cards
- Integrated reporting and financial insights for better cash flow management
Cons
- Pricing scales with number of children, which can be costly for very small providers
- Occasional reports of billing calculation glitches requiring support intervention
- Full feature set has a moderate learning curve for new users
Best For
Mid-sized childcare centers and preschools needing an all-in-one platform for billing, attendance, and parent engagement.
Pricing
Tiered plans start at $109/month for up to 25 children (Childcare plan), plus $8 per additional child/month; annual billing offers discounts; free trial available.
Procare Software
enterpriseComprehensive childcare solution with advanced billing, accounting integration, and family payment processing.
Attendance-linked billing that automatically calculates and prorates tuition based on verified check-in/out times
Procare Software is a robust, all-in-one management platform designed specifically for childcare centers, with advanced billing capabilities that automate tuition calculations, process payments, and manage family accounts seamlessly. It integrates attendance tracking directly with billing to ensure accurate charges based on actual hours attended, while offering tools for enrollment, scheduling, and reporting. With decades of experience, Procare provides scalable solutions from small preschools to large multi-site operations.
Pros
- Highly accurate attendance-linked billing that adjusts tuition dynamically
- Comprehensive financial reporting and ledger management
- Strong integration with payment processors and family portals
Cons
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization
- Desktop-heavy interface feels dated compared to modern cloud apps
- Pricing can escalate quickly for larger centers
Best For
Mid-sized to large childcare centers needing integrated billing, attendance, and management tools.
Pricing
Starts at $137/month for cloud plans (up to 50 children), with custom enterprise pricing for multi-site operations.
Jackrabbit Class
specializedClass and childcare management software featuring automated invoicing, recurring billing, and online payments.
Attendance-based prorated billing that automatically adjusts invoices for missed classes or makeups
Jackrabbit Class is a cloud-based management platform tailored for youth activity centers, including childcare programs like gymnastics, dance, swim lessons, and camps. It handles class scheduling, online registration, attendance tracking, and automated billing with features like recurring invoices, family discounts, and prorated charges based on attendance. The software also provides a parent portal for payments and reporting tools for financial oversight in childcare operations.
Pros
- Robust automated billing with support for complex scenarios like attendance-based prorations and family billing
- Seamless parent portal for self-service payments and registrations
- Strong reporting and QuickBooks integration for childcare financial management
Cons
- Higher pricing model scales with number of students, less ideal for very small centers
- Learning curve for advanced features and customization
- More optimized for class/schedule-based programs than pure hourly daycare billing
Best For
Medium to large childcare centers or activity programs offering scheduled classes that require integrated attendance-driven billing and parent engagement tools.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting around $100-200/month base plus $3-6 per active student/month; includes payment processing fees.
EZChildTrack
specializedAffordable childcare tracking software that handles attendance, scheduling, and parent billing efficiently.
EZ-Pay automated payment processing with built-in reminders and multi-method collections
EZChildTrack is a cloud-based childcare management software focused on simplifying billing, attendance tracking, and parent communication for daycare centers and preschools. It automates invoicing, handles multiple payment methods including online collections, and provides detailed financial reports to streamline operations. The platform also features a parent portal for real-time updates and easy payments, making it suitable for small to medium-sized providers.
Pros
- User-friendly interface with quick setup
- Automated billing and payment reminders
- Affordable pricing for small centers
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations
- Basic reporting customization
- Mobile app lacks advanced features
Best For
Small to medium childcare centers needing straightforward billing and parent communication tools without complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month for up to 50 children, with tiered plans scaling by child count and locations (e.g., $99/month for 51-100 children).
Childcare Manager
specializedCloud-based platform for childcare centers offering invoicing, payment collection, and financial reporting.
Advanced subsidy tracking and reconciliation for government-funded programs
Childcare Manager is a comprehensive childcare management platform with robust billing features designed for daycare centers and preschools. It automates invoicing, processes online payments, tracks attendance for accurate billing, and handles childcare-specific needs like subsidies and multi-week schedules. The software integrates billing with parent communication and compliance reporting, streamlining financial operations for providers.
Pros
- Tailored billing for childcare including subsidies and enrollment-based charges
- Integrated parent portal for easy payments and receipts
- Automated attendance tracking that syncs directly to invoices
Cons
- Initial setup and learning curve can be challenging
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers seeking an all-in-one solution with strong billing automation.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month for up to 50 children; scales to $199+/month for larger centers with add-ons.
HiMama
specializedChildcare app with documentation, parent communication, and integrated billing and payment features.
Automated invoice generation directly from real-time attendance and check-in data
HiMama is an all-in-one childcare management platform with integrated billing features designed for early learning centers, automating invoices based on attendance, schedules, and family enrollments. It supports online payments, recurring billing, and basic financial reporting, streamlining administrative tasks alongside daily documentation and parent communication. While not a standalone billing tool, its billing module ties directly into core operations for efficient revenue management.
Pros
- Seamless integration with attendance and scheduling for automated invoicing
- User-friendly mobile app for quick billing access and parent payments
- Family grouping for multi-child discounts and consolidated billing
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for complex billing scenarios
- Requires full HiMama subscription, increasing costs for billing-only needs
- Reporting lacks depth compared to dedicated billing software
Best For
Small to mid-sized childcare centers seeking integrated billing within a broader management platform.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $10-15 per child/month; includes billing as part of the full suite.
Tadpoles
specializedDaily childcare management tool that includes attendance logging, daily sheets, and family billing.
Automated billing directly tied to real-time attendance and daily digital sheets for accurate, transparent invoicing.
Tadpoles is a comprehensive childcare management platform with robust billing features tailored for daycare centers and preschools. It automates invoicing based on real-time attendance tracking, schedules, and customizable rates, while integrating parent payments via ACH, credit card, or online portals. The software also supports daily reports, photo sharing, and communication tools to enhance parent engagement alongside billing efficiency.
Pros
- Seamless attendance-to-billing automation reduces manual errors
- User-friendly mobile app for staff and parents
- Strong parent communication tools integrated with payments
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for complex billing structures
- Reporting features lack depth for large-scale analytics
- Pricing scales per child, which can add up for bigger centers
Best For
Small to mid-sized childcare providers needing an all-in-one solution with easy parent payment collection.
Pricing
Starts at $5 per child per month (Essentials plan, billed annually); higher tiers up to $9/child/month with more features.
Lillio
specializedMobile-first childcare software providing check-in, observations, and streamlined billing processes.
Daily child portfolios with photos, videos, and observations shared securely via the parent app, seamlessly linked to billing and attendance data
Lillio is a comprehensive childcare management platform designed for preschools, daycare centers, and home-based providers, with robust billing features that automate invoicing, payments, and financial reporting. It integrates attendance tracking, staff scheduling, and parent communication into a single system, allowing providers to generate customizable bills based on hours, tuition, and add-ons. The software supports multiple payment gateways like Stripe and offers real-time family portals for transparency and easy payments.
Pros
- Automated billing with customizable templates and multi-payment options
- Strong parent engagement tools including a dedicated mobile app for updates and payments
- Integrated attendance and compliance tracking that ties directly into billing accuracy
Cons
- Pricing can become expensive for larger centers with per-child fees
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting and custom configurations
- Limited third-party integrations compared to some competitors
Best For
Small to mid-sized childcare centers seeking an all-in-one platform with strong parent communication and billing automation.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month per location for basic plans, scaling to $299+/month for premium features, plus $3-5 per child/month and setup fees; custom quotes available.
Sandbox Software
specializedAll-in-one childcare management system with attendance, rosters, and automated billing capabilities.
Automated Child Care Subsidy (CCS) integration for real-time eligibility checks and claims
Sandbox Software (mysandbox.com) is a comprehensive childcare management platform designed primarily for Australian early learning centers, offering robust billing features integrated with attendance tracking and family management. It automates invoicing with support for complex fee structures, government subsidies like Child Care Subsidy (CCS), and multiple payment methods including direct debit. The system provides real-time reporting and parent portals for seamless communication and payments.
Pros
- Strong automation for childcare subsidies and multi-fee billing schedules
- Integrated attendance-to-billing workflow reduces errors
- Comprehensive reporting and parent communication tools
Cons
- Primarily tailored to Australian regulations, limiting global appeal
- Steep initial setup and learning curve for non-tech users
- Custom pricing can be opaque and higher for smaller centers
Best For
Australian childcare centers needing integrated billing with government subsidy compliance.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at approximately AU$4-8 per child per month, depending on center size and features.
ChildCare Sage
otherSimple childcare billing software for tracking enrollments, generating invoices, and managing payments.
Advanced subsidy billing engine that automates eligibility checks and reimbursements for government programs
ChildCare Sage is a comprehensive childcare management platform with robust billing features tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and family childcare providers. It automates invoicing, processes online payments, tracks attendance for accurate billing, and manages subsidies like CACFP and state programs. The software also includes parent portals for real-time updates and communication, reducing administrative workload.
Pros
- Automated invoicing and recurring billing streamline payment collection
- Integrated subsidy tracking for programs like CACFP and childcare assistance
- Parent portal enables self-service payments and balance views
Cons
- Limited integrations with popular accounting software like QuickBooks
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Small to medium childcare providers seeking an all-in-one solution with strong subsidy billing capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month for up to 50 children, scaling to $99+/month for larger centers; additional transaction fees apply.
Conclusion
Among the reviewed tools, Brightwheel leads as the top choice, offering an all-in-one platform that simplifies attendance tracking, billing, and payments. Procare Software and Jackrabbit Class stand out as strong alternatives—Procare for its advanced integration capabilities and Jackrabbit for streamlined automated invoicing—each catering to distinct operational needs.
Begin by exploring Brightwheel to unlock efficient, hassle-free childcare management that enhances both day-to-day operations and parent experiences.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison