Brightwheel vs Xplor Education

Brightwheel8.8Visit Xplor Education8.4Visit

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

vs

Xplor Education #6 in Early Childhood Education Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Xplor

• Brightwheel fits best

  Multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations

• Xplor Education fits best

  Australian providers wanting broad platform coverage

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Side by side

Feature	Brightwheel 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Xplor Education 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.4
Ranking	#2 in Early Childhood Education Software	#6 in Early Childhood Education Software
Best for	Multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations	Australian providers wanting broad platform coverage
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, Phone, Docs
Integrations	7 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Brightwheel 5/5 · Xplor Education 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 enrolment, attendance, billing, learning, health and compliance Web, iOS, Android and API access support multiple user groups Free plan plus integrations with Xero, MYOB Acumatica and Active Directory
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	Capabilities are spread across several products and packages Starting price excludes GST Broader suites may be more than a narrowly focused service needs
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 →	Xplor Education is a childcare management suite for early childhood education and care providers, including single-centre, multi-centre, OSHC and kindergarten services. Its coverage spans child enrolment, digital forms, 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

• Xplor Education — where it wins

  • Covers enrolment, attendance, billing, learning, health and compliance
  • Web, iOS, Android and API access support multiple user groups
  • Free plan plus integrations with Xero, MYOB Acumatica and Active Directory

  Where it doesn't

  • Capabilities are spread across several products and packages
  • Starting price excludes GST
  • Broader suites may be more than a narrowly focused service needs

• Brightwheel8.8/10 · Pricing on request

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

  Visit BrightwheelFull verdict →
• Xplor Education8.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad childcare suite for Australian providers spanning operations, learning and family engagement.

  Visit XplorFull verdict →