Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - Mobile-first childcare management platform for check-ins, payments, daily updates, and parent-teacher communication.
- 2#2: Procare Software - Comprehensive childcare solution handling enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and family engagement tools.
- 3#3: Lillio - Early education platform focused on child documentation, curriculum planning, and parent sharing of progress.
- 4#4: Jackrabbit Class - Class management software for childcare, camps, and after-school programs with scheduling, billing, and reporting.
- 5#5: Famly - All-in-one childcare app for attendance, invoicing, messaging, and learning journals to connect staff and parents.
- 6#6: Tadpoles - Daily childcare reporting tool for photos, updates, attendance, and meal tracking shared with parents.
- 7#7: Kinderlime - Cloud-based childcare management for touchless check-in, billing, staff scheduling, and parent portals.
- 8#8: EZChildTrack - Childcare tracking software for attendance, parent payments, staff management, and state compliance reporting.
- 9#9: Daycare Boss - Affordable daycare management system with online enrollment, billing, and child information organization.
- 10#10: Sandbox Software - Feature-rich childcare administration platform for rosters, billing, compliance, and parent communication.
These tools were carefully selected based on feature strength, usability, reliability, and value, prioritizing platforms that balance robust functionality with accessibility for both childcare providers and families.
Comparison Table
Navigating childcare software requires careful consideration, and this comparison table breaks down leading tools like Brightwheel, Procare Software, Lillio, Jackrabbit Class, Famly, and more. Readers will gain insights into key features, pricing, and usability to identify the best fit for their childcare needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel Mobile-first childcare management platform for check-ins, payments, daily updates, and parent-teacher communication. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Procare Software Comprehensive childcare solution handling enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and family engagement tools. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Lillio Early education platform focused on child documentation, curriculum planning, and parent sharing of progress. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Jackrabbit Class Class management software for childcare, camps, and after-school programs with scheduling, billing, and reporting. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Famly All-in-one childcare app for attendance, invoicing, messaging, and learning journals to connect staff and parents. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | Tadpoles Daily childcare reporting tool for photos, updates, attendance, and meal tracking shared with parents. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Kinderlime Cloud-based childcare management for touchless check-in, billing, staff scheduling, and parent portals. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | EZChildTrack Childcare tracking software for attendance, parent payments, staff management, and state compliance reporting. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | Daycare Boss Affordable daycare management system with online enrollment, billing, and child information organization. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 10 | Sandbox Software Feature-rich childcare administration platform for rosters, billing, compliance, and parent communication. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.4/10 |
Mobile-first childcare management platform for check-ins, payments, daily updates, and parent-teacher communication.
Comprehensive childcare solution handling enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and family engagement tools.
Early education platform focused on child documentation, curriculum planning, and parent sharing of progress.
Class management software for childcare, camps, and after-school programs with scheduling, billing, and reporting.
All-in-one childcare app for attendance, invoicing, messaging, and learning journals to connect staff and parents.
Daily childcare reporting tool for photos, updates, attendance, and meal tracking shared with parents.
Cloud-based childcare management for touchless check-in, billing, staff scheduling, and parent portals.
Childcare tracking software for attendance, parent payments, staff management, and state compliance reporting.
Affordable daycare management system with online enrollment, billing, and child information organization.
Feature-rich childcare administration platform for rosters, billing, compliance, and parent communication.
Brightwheel
specializedMobile-first childcare management platform for check-ins, payments, daily updates, and parent-teacher communication.
Real-time daily sheets with photos, videos, and milestone tracking shared instantly via the parent app
Brightwheel is a comprehensive childcare management platform designed for daycare centers, preschools, and family child care providers. It streamlines operations with tools for attendance tracking, secure check-in/out, parent messaging, daily activity reports with photos and videos, automated billing, and staff scheduling. The intuitive mobile app fosters strong parent-teacher communication, while robust reporting helps with compliance and business insights.
Pros
- All-in-one platform covering attendance, billing, communication, and reporting
- Highly rated parent app for real-time updates and engagement
- Seamless check-in/out with touchless kiosks and PIN codes
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small family child cares
- Advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
- Occasional mobile app performance issues during peak hours
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers and preschools needing an integrated solution for daily operations and parent communication.
Pricing
Starts at $10/provider/month (Essential), $25 (Combo with billing), $50+ (Premium full features), billed annually with child minimums.
Procare Software
specializedComprehensive childcare solution handling enrollment, billing, attendance tracking, and family engagement tools.
Procare's award-winning billing engine that handles complex prorated tuition, subsidies, and multi-child discounts with pinpoint accuracy
Procare Software is a veteran childcare management platform serving daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs with tools for attendance tracking, family enrollment, staff scheduling, and comprehensive billing. It excels in financial management, offering automated tuition calculations, payment processing, and detailed accounting reports to ensure revenue accuracy. The cloud-based system includes parent portals, mobile apps, and compliance features tailored to early childhood education needs.
Pros
- Exceptional tuition billing and financial reporting capabilities
- Robust parent and staff communication tools including mobile apps
- Scalable for multi-location centers with strong compliance features
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Pricing can be higher for small centers
- Interface feels dated in some modules despite updates
Best For
Medium to large childcare centers prioritizing accurate billing and financial management over simplicity.
Pricing
Starts at $137/month for up to 50 children, with per-child fees scaling to larger sizes; custom enterprise quotes available.
Lillio
specializedEarly education platform focused on child documentation, curriculum planning, and parent sharing of progress.
The parent engagement app that automatically generates and sends personalized daily reports with photos and milestones
Lillio is a comprehensive childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and home-based providers. It handles key operations like attendance tracking, automated billing, staff scheduling, and curriculum planning. The platform excels in parent engagement through a dedicated mobile app that shares real-time updates, photos, and daily reports, while also supporting compliance and reporting needs.
Pros
- Robust parent communication via intuitive mobile app with daily reports and photos
- Streamlined billing and payment processing with QuickBooks integration
- Comprehensive tools for attendance, scheduling, and state compliance reporting
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small home-based providers
- Some users report a moderate learning curve for advanced features
- Customer support response times can vary during peak periods
Best For
Medium-sized childcare centers and preschools prioritizing parent engagement and operational efficiency.
Pricing
Starts at around $115/month for up to 50 children, plus $3-5 per additional child; custom quotes available.
Jackrabbit Class
specializedClass management software for childcare, camps, and after-school programs with scheduling, billing, and reporting.
Advanced online registration system with real-time availability and waitlists that boosts enrollment efficiency
Jackrabbit Class is a cloud-based management software primarily designed for class-based youth programs like gymnastics, dance, and enrichment classes, with adaptable features for childcare centers offering scheduled sessions. It streamlines online registration, class scheduling, automated billing, attendance tracking via mobile app, and family communication portals. While effective for preschool or after-school programs, it may require workarounds for traditional daycare needs like daily infant tracking.
Pros
- Intuitive online registration and family self-service portal reduces admin time
- Strong reporting and analytics for class utilization and revenue
- Integrated payment processing with retail POS for merchandise sales
Cons
- Limited native support for daily childcare routines like naptime or feeding logs
- Customization options can feel restrictive for complex multi-site operations
- Pricing scales quickly with student volume, impacting smaller centers
Best For
Ideal for class-based childcare providers such as preschools, gyms with daycare extensions, or after-school programs focused on scheduled activities rather than full-day care.
Pricing
Starts at around $125/month for up to 100 active students, with tiered plans scaling to $500+/month based on volume; additional fees for payments and SMS.
Famly
specializedAll-in-one childcare app for attendance, invoicing, messaging, and learning journals to connect staff and parents.
The Famly Parent App for seamless real-time communication, daily reports, and in-app payments
Famly is an all-in-one childcare management platform tailored for nurseries, preschools, and daycare centers worldwide. It handles essential operations like attendance tracking, staff rostering, billing, and invoicing through an intuitive dashboard and mobile app. The software excels in parent engagement with real-time updates, photo sharing, and secure payments, while also supporting child observations and regulatory compliance reporting.
Pros
- Strong parent communication via dedicated app with push notifications and photo journals
- Integrated billing and automated invoicing with multiple payment options
- Comprehensive tools for child development tracking and EYFS-aligned observations
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller centers with per-child fees
- Limited advanced customization for reports and workflows
- Customer support response times can vary, especially outside business hours
Best For
Medium-sized nurseries and preschools prioritizing parent engagement and streamlined daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at around £79/month for small settings (up to 40 children), scales per child with custom enterprise plans; includes a free trial.
Tadpoles
specializedDaily childcare reporting tool for photos, updates, attendance, and meal tracking shared with parents.
Digital daily reports and child portfolios shared instantly via parent app with photos, videos, and milestone tracking
Tadpoles is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and family childcare providers. It facilitates daily operations such as attendance tracking, staff scheduling, billing, and invoicing through an intuitive web and mobile app. The platform stands out with its parent communication tools, allowing real-time sharing of photos, videos, daily reports, and child progress updates. It also supports compliance with state regulations via customizable forms and reports.
Pros
- Highly intuitive mobile app for parents and staff with real-time notifications
- Robust media sharing for daily sheets, photos, and developmental portfolios
- Streamlined billing, attendance, and compliance reporting tools
Cons
- Pricing scales per child, becoming costly for larger centers
- Limited integrations with third-party accounting or payroll systems
- Advanced customization and reporting require higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized daycare centers and preschools prioritizing parent engagement and simple daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at $5 per child per month (minimum 10 children), with tiers up to $10/child/month for advanced features; custom enterprise pricing available.
Kinderlime
specializedCloud-based childcare management for touchless check-in, billing, staff scheduling, and parent portals.
Touchless check-in/out via parent app with geofencing and photo verification for secure attendance tracking
Kinderlime is a comprehensive childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs, offering tools for attendance tracking, billing, staff scheduling, and parent communication. It features a user-friendly mobile app for parents to view daily reports, check-ins, and payments, while administrators benefit from automated invoicing and state compliance reporting. The platform supports multi-location management and integrates with popular payment processors to streamline operations.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for parents and staff with real-time updates
- Strong compliance reporting for multiple states
- Automated billing and invoicing with payment integrations
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small centers
- Limited advanced customization options
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Medium-sized childcare centers and preschools seeking an all-in-one platform with excellent parent engagement tools.
Pricing
Starts at $5 per child per month (minimum 25 children), with custom enterprise pricing for larger multi-site operations.
EZChildTrack
specializedChildcare tracking software for attendance, parent payments, staff management, and state compliance reporting.
EZCheckin PIN-based system for fast, secure child sign-in/out with real-time parent notifications
EZChildTrack is a web-based childcare management software tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs, focusing on core operational needs like attendance tracking, billing, and parent communication. It features an intuitive parent portal and mobile app for real-time updates, staff scheduling, and automated invoicing to reduce administrative burdens. The platform prioritizes simplicity and compliance with state regulations, making it accessible for smaller facilities without requiring extensive IT support.
Pros
- Affordable per-child pricing model
- User-friendly interface with minimal training needed
- Strong parent communication tools including mobile app
Cons
- Dated user interface in some areas
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Fewer integrations with third-party tools
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers needing straightforward, budget-friendly management without advanced enterprise features.
Pricing
Starts at $1.25 per child/month with a $50 minimum; scales with enrollment size.
Daycare Boss
specializedAffordable daycare management system with online enrollment, billing, and child information organization.
Real-time family app providing instant attendance updates, photos, and messaging between parents and staff
Daycare Boss is a cloud-based childcare management software tailored for daycare centers and preschools, handling enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, and staff scheduling. It features a real-time parent app for communication, daily sheets, and updates, along with compliance tools for state licensing requirements. The platform emphasizes automation to reduce administrative workload and improve parent engagement.
Pros
- User-friendly interface with mobile access for staff and parents
- Automated billing and payment processing integration
- Strong compliance reporting for licensing and funding
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small home-based daycares
- Limited integrations with other business tools
- Occasional reports of slower customer support response times
Best For
Medium-sized daycare centers seeking an intuitive all-in-one platform with excellent parent communication features.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for up to 50 children, scaling with tiers up to $299+/month for larger centers; includes a free trial.
Sandbox Software
specializedFeature-rich childcare administration platform for rosters, billing, compliance, and parent communication.
The Sandbox Parent App for instant, two-way communication and daily reports between staff and families
Sandbox Software is a cloud-based childcare management platform tailored for daycare centers, preschools, and family childcare providers. It handles key functions like child enrollment, daily attendance tracking, staff scheduling, automated billing, and parent communication via a dedicated app. The system emphasizes compliance reporting and real-time updates to simplify administrative tasks and enhance family engagement.
Pros
- Robust parent portal with real-time updates and photo sharing
- Automated billing and payment processing integration
- Comprehensive attendance and compliance tracking tools
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for larger enterprises
- Occasional reports of slower customer support response times
- Mobile app lacks some desktop feature parity
Best For
Small to medium-sized childcare centers seeking an affordable, user-friendly solution with strong parent communication features.
Pricing
Starts at $1.25 per child/month (minimum $99/month); scales with number of children and includes custom enterprise plans.
Conclusion
Reviewing the top 10 childcare software tools reveals a standout leader in Brightwheel, which excels in mobile-first management and parent-teacher communication. Procare Software proves a strong alternative with its comprehensive solution, while Lillio distinguishes itself through curriculum planning and progress sharing—each tool offering unique value to meet varied operational needs. Together, the top three deliver efficient, user-friendly systems that streamline childcare workflows.
Begin your journey with Brightwheel to unlock seamless check-ins, payments, and communication, or explore Procare or Lillio based on your specific priorities to find the perfect fit for your childcare needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison