Brightwheel vs Lillio

Brightwheel8.8Visit Lillio8.2Visit

Higher score Brightwheel #2 in Early Childhood Education Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Brightwheel

vs

Lillio #8 in Early Childhood Education Software 8.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Lillio

• Brightwheel fits best

  Multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations

• Lillio fits best

  Centers wanting straightforward all-in-one childcare tools

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Side by side

Feature	Brightwheel 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Lillio 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.2
Ranking	#2 in Early Childhood Education Software	#8 in Early Childhood Education Software
Best for	Multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations	Centers wanting straightforward all-in-one childcare tools
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	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, Phone, Docs
Compliance	PCI DSS, 2FA	PCI DSS
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Brightwheel 5/5 · Lillio 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	Not checked yet
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, ratios, billing, and parent payments Combines family messaging with photos, daily updates, and digital care records Supports curriculum, observations, licensing reports, and multi-site organizations
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 sales There is no free plan Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of narrowly focused programs
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 →	Lillio is a childcare management platform for early childhood programs, serving family childcare providers through enterprise, multi-site organizations. It brings center administration, enrollment and waitlist management, attendance,… Read the review →

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

• Lillio — where it wins

  • Covers enrollment, attendance, ratios, billing, and parent payments
  • Combines family messaging with photos, daily updates, and digital care records
  • Supports curriculum, observations, licensing reports, and multi-site organizations

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • There is no free plan
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of narrowly focused programs

• Brightwheel8.8/10 · Pricing on request

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

  Visit BrightwheelFull verdict →
• Lillio8.2/10 · Pricing on request

  An all-in-one childcare system spanning enrollment, daily care, communication, billing, and learning.

  Visit LillioFull verdict →