Brightwheel vs ChildPilot

Brightwheel8.6Visit ChildPilot7.9Visit

Higher score Brightwheel #3 in Child Care Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 7 features Visit Brightwheel

vs

ChildPilot #8 in Child Care Software 7.9/10 Free plan · pricing on request Free plan✓ 3 of 7 features Visit ChildPilot

• Brightwheel fits best

  Multi-site programs needing mature workflows

• ChildPilot fits best

  Centers seeking broad tools with custom pricing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Brightwheel 8.6/10 Visit ↗	ChildPilot 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	7.9
Ranking	#3 in Child Care Software	#8 in Child Care Software
Best for	Multi-site programs needing mature workflows	Centers seeking broad tools with custom pricing
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	—
Free plan	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Live chat, Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone
Integrations	7 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Brightwheel 3/7 · ChildPilot 3/7
Attendance check-in	✓	✓
Enrollment & waitlist	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Billing & payments	✓	✓
Parent portal or app	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Staff scheduling	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Lesson planning	✓	✓
Incident tracking	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines enrollment, billing, attendance, learning records and reporting Supports multi-site operations with roles and permissions Offers web, iOS and Android access plus seven listed integrations	Connects enrollment, billing, attendance, classrooms, staffing, and reporting Parent and staff apps support messaging, daily reports, and attendance Economy includes unlimited users and storage, plus core center tools
Cons	Pricing requires a personalized quote The vendor says it does not currently hold SOC 2 certification Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of programs seeking a narrow tool	Plan costs require custom quotes aligned to enrollment and tuition The free offering is limited to eligible Texas in-home childcare programs Custom integrations and multi-site controls are reserved for First
Our verdict	Brightwheel brings childcare administration and classroom communication into a cloud-based platform for preschools, child care centers, educators, staff and families. Its scope spans enrollment and admissions, billing and payments,… Read the review →	Enrollment, billing, attendance, classroom work, staff scheduling, and family communication sit together in ChildPilot, a cloud-based childcare management platform. It serves childcare centers, preschools, before- and after-school… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Brightwheel — where it wins

  • Combines enrollment, billing, attendance, learning records and reporting
  • Supports multi-site operations with roles and permissions
  • Offers web, iOS and Android access plus seven listed integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires a personalized quote
  • The vendor says it does not currently hold SOC 2 certification
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of programs seeking a narrow tool

• ChildPilot — where it wins

  • Connects enrollment, billing, attendance, classrooms, staffing, and reporting
  • Parent and staff apps support messaging, daily reports, and attendance
  • Economy includes unlimited users and storage, plus core center tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Plan costs require custom quotes aligned to enrollment and tuition
  • The free offering is limited to eligible Texas in-home childcare programs
  • Custom integrations and multi-site controls are reserved for First

• Brightwheel8.6/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad childcare platform for enrollment, billing, classroom workflows and family communication.

  Visit BrightwheelFull verdict →
• ChildPilot7.9/10 · Free plan · pricing on request

  Broad center operations in one platform, with custom quotes and a narrowly eligible free plan.

  Visit ChildPilotFull verdict →