Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brightwheel - All-in-one childcare management platform with automated billing, invoicing, and parent payments for preschools.
- 2#2: Procare - Comprehensive childcare software offering advanced billing, accounting, and tuition management features.
- 3#3: Lillio - Early education platform with seamless invoicing, payment processing, and attendance-linked billing.
- 4#4: Famly - Childcare app providing automated billing, fee tracking, and real-time payment collection.
- 5#5: Jackrabbit Care - Childcare management system with flexible tuition billing, online payments, and enrollment tracking.
- 6#6: Tuition Express - Specialized online billing and payment solution tailored for childcare and preschool providers.
- 7#7: Smartcare - Childcare center software featuring integrated billing, payroll, and financial reporting tools.
- 8#8: MomentPath - Digital childcare platform with attendance-based billing and parent payment portals.
- 9#9: Seametrix - Childcare management tool offering scheduling-integrated billing and automated invoicing.
- 10#10: Childcare Manager - Software for preschool administration including basic billing, tracking, and payment reminders.
Tools were ranked based on a blend of robust features, user-friendly design, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they meet the diverse operational needs of preschool providers.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines leading preschool billing software tools, including Brightwheel, Procare, Lillio, Famly, Jackrabbit Care, and more, offering insights into their features, pricing structures, and usability to help streamline your search for the right fit. Readers will gain clarity on how these tools address billing, communication, and administrative needs, making it easier to choose one that aligns with your preschool’s unique requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightwheel All-in-one childcare management platform with automated billing, invoicing, and parent payments for preschools. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Procare Comprehensive childcare software offering advanced billing, accounting, and tuition management features. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Lillio Early education platform with seamless invoicing, payment processing, and attendance-linked billing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Famly Childcare app providing automated billing, fee tracking, and real-time payment collection. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Jackrabbit Care Childcare management system with flexible tuition billing, online payments, and enrollment tracking. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Tuition Express Specialized online billing and payment solution tailored for childcare and preschool providers. | specialized | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 7 | Smartcare Childcare center software featuring integrated billing, payroll, and financial reporting tools. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | MomentPath Digital childcare platform with attendance-based billing and parent payment portals. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Seametrix Childcare management tool offering scheduling-integrated billing and automated invoicing. | specialized | 0.8/10 | 0.2/10 | 6.2/10 | 0.1/10 |
| 10 | Childcare Manager Software for preschool administration including basic billing, tracking, and payment reminders. | specialized | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 |
All-in-one childcare management platform with automated billing, invoicing, and parent payments for preschools.
Comprehensive childcare software offering advanced billing, accounting, and tuition management features.
Early education platform with seamless invoicing, payment processing, and attendance-linked billing.
Childcare app providing automated billing, fee tracking, and real-time payment collection.
Childcare management system with flexible tuition billing, online payments, and enrollment tracking.
Specialized online billing and payment solution tailored for childcare and preschool providers.
Childcare center software featuring integrated billing, payroll, and financial reporting tools.
Digital childcare platform with attendance-based billing and parent payment portals.
Childcare management tool offering scheduling-integrated billing and automated invoicing.
Software for preschool administration including basic billing, tracking, and payment reminders.
Brightwheel
specializedAll-in-one childcare management platform with automated billing, invoicing, and parent payments for preschools.
Real-time attendance-to-billing automation with prorated invoicing and subsidy tracking
Brightwheel is an all-in-one child care management platform designed specifically for preschools and daycares, with robust billing features that automate invoicing based on real-time attendance tracking. It handles tuition payments, late fees, multi-child discounts, and subsidies while integrating seamless payment processing via the parent app. The software provides detailed financial reports, customizable billing schedules, and automated reminders, reducing administrative workload significantly.
Pros
- Automated billing synced directly with daily attendance for accurate prorated charges
- Supports multiple payment methods including ACH, credit card, and childcare subsidies
- Comprehensive reporting and parent portal for transparent billing communication
Cons
- Pricing scales per child, which can add up for larger centers
- Full feature set requires higher-tier plans
- Occasional app glitches reported during peak usage times
Best For
Preschools and child care centers needing integrated billing with attendance and parent engagement tools.
Pricing
Starts at $12 per child/month for Essential plan; Plus ($16/child/month) and Premium ($25/child/month) unlock advanced billing; custom quotes for large centers.
Procare
specializedComprehensive childcare software offering advanced billing, accounting, and tuition management features.
Dynamic family billing ledger that automatically calculates prorated tuition, sibling discounts, and regulatory adjustments unique to childcare billing
Procare is a robust childcare management software tailored for preschools, daycare centers, and after-school programs, with a strong emphasis on automated billing and financial management. It handles complex tuition billing, family ledgers, payment processing, and fee adjustments while integrating attendance tracking, child enrollment, and parent portals. The platform supports multi-location operations and provides detailed reporting for accounting compliance.
Pros
- Comprehensive billing automation for tuition, discounts, and late fees tailored to preschool needs
- Integrated family ledger and payment processing with QuickBooks compatibility
- Scalable for multi-site preschools with strong reporting and compliance tools
Cons
- User interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-native apps
- Steeper learning curve for setup and advanced customizations
- Pricing scales with child count, which can be costly for very small centers
Best For
Mid-sized preschools and multi-location childcare providers requiring detailed billing and family account management.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at ~$129/month base fee plus $3-7 per child/family monthly; includes payment processing fees.
Lillio
specializedEarly education platform with seamless invoicing, payment processing, and attendance-linked billing.
Real-time attendance tracking that automatically generates accurate, prorated invoices based on actual hours attended
Lillio is a comprehensive childcare management platform designed for preschools and daycare centers, featuring robust billing tools that automate invoicing based on attendance and enrollment data. It supports recurring tuition, one-time fees, subsidies, and multiple payment gateways like Stripe for seamless parent payments. The software also provides detailed financial reports and integrates billing with daily operations like check-in/out tracking.
Pros
- Automated billing tied directly to real-time attendance for accuracy
- User-friendly parent app for quick payments and communication
- Flexible handling of subsidies, discounts, and custom fee structures
Cons
- Pricing can escalate quickly for larger programs
- Limited native integrations with advanced accounting software
- Occasional reports of syncing delays between attendance and billing
Best For
Small to medium-sized preschools seeking an all-in-one platform that combines billing with daily operations and parent engagement.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $10-20 per child per month, with additional fees for payment processing.
Famly
specializedChildcare app providing automated billing, fee tracking, and real-time payment collection.
Real-time attendance check-ins via mobile app that automatically generate accurate, attendance-based invoices
Famly is an all-in-one childcare management platform designed for preschools and nurseries, with robust billing features that automate invoicing based on real-time attendance data. It streamlines parent payments through a secure app, handles subsidies, discounts, and late fees, while generating detailed financial reports for administrators. Beyond billing, it integrates parent communication, child progress tracking, and staff scheduling, making it a comprehensive tool for preschool operations.
Pros
- Seamless automation of billing tied to attendance tracking
- User-friendly parent app for quick payments and communication
- Comprehensive financial reporting and subsidy management
Cons
- Higher cost for smaller preschools with few children
- Some features geared more toward European markets
- Initial setup requires data migration effort
Best For
Medium-sized preschools seeking an integrated platform that combines billing with parent engagement and daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at approximately $1.50 per child per month, with tiered plans based on features and number of children; custom quotes for larger centers.
Jackrabbit Care
specializedChildcare management system with flexible tuition billing, online payments, and enrollment tracking.
Prorated billing automatically adjusted by class attendance and no-show policies
Jackrabbit Care is a cloud-based management platform tailored for childcare centers and preschools, with robust billing features that automate invoicing, tuition tracking, and family payments. It integrates attendance, scheduling, and enrollment to ensure accurate prorated billing based on actual days attended. The software supports online payments via multiple gateways and provides customizable financial reports for efficient preschool financial management.
Pros
- Automated prorated billing tied to attendance and schedules
- Family portal for self-service payments and registrations
- Comprehensive reporting and QuickBooks integration
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with student numbers, less ideal for tiny preschools
- Initial setup and customization can require support
- Less focus on pure administrative billing compared to specialized tools
Best For
Medium-sized preschools with class-based programs seeking integrated billing, attendance, and family management.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at around $59/month, scaling with number of students and locations (billed annually).
Tuition Express
specializedSpecialized online billing and payment solution tailored for childcare and preschool providers.
Attendance-based billing that automatically prorates tuition according to actual days attended or scheduled
Tuition Express is a dedicated billing and payment solution tailored for childcare centers, preschools, and tuition-based organizations. It automates invoicing, processes secure online payments, and integrates attendance tracking to ensure accurate, attendance-based billing. The platform also provides parent portals for easy balance viewing and payments, streamlining financial operations for early education providers.
Pros
- Reliable automated billing with attendance integration
- Strong parent payment portal and multiple payment options
- Excellent customer support and high reliability for childcare-specific needs
Cons
- Limited to billing functions, lacking full preschool management tools
- Initial setup and integrations can be complex
- Transaction-based fees can increase costs for high-volume centers
Best For
Preschools and childcare centers focused primarily on efficient tuition billing and collections without needing comprehensive management software.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for up to 100 families, plus $1-2 per student/month and 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction fees.
Smartcare
specializedChildcare center software featuring integrated billing, payroll, and financial reporting tools.
Advanced subsidy billing automation that tracks and applies government funding eligibility automatically
Smartcare is a comprehensive childcare management software designed for preschools and daycare centers, with strong billing capabilities that automate invoicing, payment collection, and subsidy tracking. It handles complex billing scenarios including tuition schedules, late fees, multi-child discounts, and integration with government subsidy programs. The platform also ties billing directly to attendance and enrollment data for accuracy and efficiency.
Pros
- Robust automated billing with subsidy and multi-child support
- Seamless integration of attendance data into invoices
- Online payment processing with multiple gateways
Cons
- Interface feels dated and has a learning curve
- Custom pricing can be expensive for small preschools
- Limited reporting customization for billing analytics
Best For
Medium to large preschools or childcare chains managing subsidies and complex family billing structures.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $65/month for small centers, scaling with number of children and locations (typically $1-3 per child/month).
MomentPath
specializedDigital childcare platform with attendance-based billing and parent payment portals.
Touchless check-in/out with QR codes and geofencing for precise, real-time attendance data that directly feeds into accurate billing.
MomentPath is a cloud-based child care management software tailored for preschools and daycares, featuring automated billing tied directly to attendance tracking. It handles tuition invoicing, late fees, subsidies, and multi-child discounts with support for online payments via integrated gateways. The platform also includes parent apps for real-time updates and staff tools for efficient operations, making it a solid all-in-one solution for preschool billing needs.
Pros
- Seamless attendance-to-billing automation reduces errors
- Intuitive parent portal for quick payments and updates
- Flexible billing customization for various fee structures
Cons
- Limited native integrations with advanced accounting systems
- Pricing increases significantly with child enrollment size
- Occasional reports of mobile app glitches during peak times
Best For
Small to medium-sized preschools needing integrated attendance tracking and straightforward billing without complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Base plans start at around $65/month for up to 50 children, plus $1-2 per additional child; custom quotes for larger centers.
Seametrix
specializedChildcare management tool offering scheduling-integrated billing and automated invoicing.
AI-powered voyage estimation with weather integration
Seametrix is a SaaS platform designed exclusively for the maritime industry, offering voyage estimation, ship performance monitoring, weather routing, and fleet optimization tools. It provides no features whatsoever for preschool billing, such as tuition invoicing, parent payment portals, attendance-based billing, or childcare-specific financial reporting. While robust for shipping operations, it is wholly unsuitable and irrelevant as a preschool billing solution.
Pros
- Cloud-based and scalable for enterprise use
- Advanced real-time analytics capabilities
- Professional interface for technical users
Cons
- Zero preschool billing or invoicing functionality
- No support for attendance tracking or parent payments
- Completely irrelevant to education or childcare sectors
Best For
Maritime shipowners and operators optimizing voyages, not preschool administrators handling billing.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on fleet size; not publicly listed, requires sales contact (likely thousands per year).
Childcare Manager
specializedSoftware for preschool administration including basic billing, tracking, and payment reminders.
Real-time billing automation that calculates charges based on actual attendance scans and predefined rate sheets
Childcare Manager is a cloud-based software platform tailored for childcare centers and preschools, providing integrated billing, attendance tracking, and family management tools. It automates invoicing based on actual attendance, supports customizable rates, subsidies, and online payments through a parent portal. The system streamlines preschool billing by linking daily check-ins to accurate, real-time billing statements, reducing manual errors and administrative workload.
Pros
- Automated billing tied to attendance and schedules for precise preschool invoicing
- Parent portal enables self-service payments and account viewing
- Supports subsidy tracking and multiple rate structures
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small preschools
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Limited advanced reporting customization compared to top competitors
Best For
Medium-sized preschools seeking an all-in-one solution for billing integrated with daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for basic plans (up to 50 children), scales to $299+/month for larger centers with custom quotes available.
Conclusion
The reviewed preschool billing software cater to varied needs, with Brightwheel emerging as the top choice for its all-in-one childcare management, including seamless automated billing and parent payments. Procare excels as a comprehensive option with advanced accounting and tuition tools, while Lillio stands out for its attendance-linked billing and payment processing. Together, these tools highlight the best solutions, but Brightwheel leads as the most versatile pick.
Simplify your preschool's billing processes—start with Brightwheel to experience its user-friendly integration and efficient management features firsthand.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
