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Head-to-head · Early Childhood Education Software

Brightwheel vs illumine

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Brightwheel #2 in Early Childhood Education Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Brightwheel
illumine #4 in Early Childhood Education Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit illumine

Brightwheel leads on 0 checks, illumine on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBrightwheel · 8.8/10

Brightwheel scores higher on our rubric for early childhood education software: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Brightwheel is the better fit for multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations. illumine is the better fit for feature-rich centers adopting AI workflows.

  • Brightwheel fits best

    Multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations

  • illumine fits best

    Feature-rich centers adopting AI workflows

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 8.8/10 Visit ↗ illumine 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.6
Ranking #2 in Early Childhood Education Software #4 in Early Childhood Education Software
Best for Multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations Feature-rich centers adopting AI workflows
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request —
Free plan Not checked yet —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Live chat, Email, Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs
Compliance PCI DSS, 2FA SOC 2, GDPR, 2FA
Integrations 7 integrations 50+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Brightwheel 5/5 · illumine 5/5
Enrollment management ✓ ✓
Family communication ✓ ✓
Attendance and check-in ✓ ✓
Billing and payments ✓ ✓
Lesson planning ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile apps Both Both
Child capacity Not checked yet 50 children
Our review
Pros
  • Combines enrollment, billing, attendance, learning, compliance, and staffing tools
  • Supports multi-site roles, permissions, reporting, and web and mobile access
  • Connects with Gusto, calendar platforms, and childcare-related integrations
  • Covers enrollment, attendance, billing, communication, and learning workflows
  • Supports multi-center management with reporting and capacity planning
  • Offers AI-assisted translation, activity updates, and lesson generation
Cons
  • Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly tiered
  • Brightwheel does not currently hold SOC 2 certification
  • Some learning, curriculum, assessment, and payroll capabilities are optional add-ons
  • Pricing requires contacting the vendor
  • There is no free plan
  • The Standard plan has a 50-child limit
Our verdict

Brightwheel is a cloud-based childcare management platform for preschools, child care centers, educators, staff, and families. It brings enrollment forms, admissions packets, applications, waitlists, billing, online payments, attendance,…

Read the review →

illumine is a childcare management platform for daycare centers, preschools, kindergartens, Montessori programs, and multi-center operators. It brings enrollment, inquiry, registration, waitlists, attendance, parent communication, billing,…

Read the review →
  1. BrightwheelEarly Childhood Education Software 8.8Pricing on request
  2. illumineEarly Childhood Education Software 8.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Brightwheel — where it wins

    • Combines enrollment, billing, attendance, learning, compliance, and staffing tools
    • Supports multi-site roles, permissions, reporting, and web and mobile access
    • Connects with Gusto, calendar platforms, and childcare-related integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly tiered
    • Brightwheel does not currently hold SOC 2 certification
    • Some learning, curriculum, assessment, and payroll capabilities are optional add-ons

  • illumine — where it wins

    • Covers enrollment, attendance, billing, communication, and learning workflows
    • Supports multi-center management with reporting and capacity planning
    • Offers AI-assisted translation, activity updates, and lesson generation

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting the vendor
    • There is no free plan
    • The Standard plan has a 50-child limit
  • Brightwheel8.8/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad web and mobile platform for managing multi-site early education operations.

    Visit BrightwheelFull verdict →
  • illumine8.6/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad childcare platform for centers that want operations, learning, and AI workflows together.

    Visit illumineFull verdict →

More comparisons

All early childhood education software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update