Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Early Childhood Education Software

Parent vs Brightwheel

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Parent #2 in Early Childhood Education Software 8.3/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Parent
Brightwheel #3 in Early Childhood Education Software 8.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Brightwheel

Parent leads on 0 checks, Brightwheel 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 scoreParent · 8.3/10

Parent scores higher on our rubric for early childhood education software: 8.3 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Parent is the better fit for multi-location centers seeking integrated family workflows. Brightwheel is the better fit for multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations.

  • Parent fits best

    Multi-location centers seeking integrated family workflows

  • Brightwheel fits best

    Multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Parent 8.3/10 Visit ↗ Brightwheel 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.3 8.2
Ranking #2 in Early Childhood Education Software #3 in Early Childhood Education Software
Best for Multi-location centers seeking integrated family workflows Multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — Not published
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs Live chat, Email, Community, Docs
Compliance GDPR, PCI DSS, 2FA PCI DSS, 2FA
Integrations 10 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Parent 5/5 · Brightwheel 5/5
Enrollment management ✓ ✓
Family communication ✓ ✓
Attendance and check-in ✓ ✓
Billing and payments ✓ ✓
Lesson planning ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile apps Both Both
Child capacity Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Combines enrollment, attendance, billing, lesson planning, and staff tools.
  • Supports centralized reporting and management across multiple locations.
  • Connects with communication, accounting, and payment services.
  • 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
Cons
  • Pricing is quote-based, so budgeting starts with contacting sales.
  • There is no free plan.
  • Automated invoices and in-app payments are listed in Exclusive, not Basic.
  • 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
Our verdict

Parent brings enrollment, waitlists, attendance, family communication, billing, digital forms, child development records, lesson planning, staffing, and reporting into one childcare management platform. It is intended for nurseries,…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. ParentEarly Childhood Education Software 8.3Pricing on request · 14-day trial
  2. BrightwheelEarly Childhood Education Software 8.2Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Parent — where it wins

    • Combines enrollment, attendance, billing, lesson planning, and staff tools.
    • Supports centralized reporting and management across multiple locations.
    • Connects with communication, accounting, and payment services.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is quote-based, so budgeting starts with contacting sales.
    • There is no free plan.
    • Automated invoices and in-app payments are listed in Exclusive, not Basic.

  • 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
  • Parent8.3/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

    A connected childcare platform for enrollment, family workflows, staffing, and reporting.

    Visit ParentFull verdict →
  • Brightwheel8.2/10 · Pricing on request

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

    Visit BrightwheelFull verdict →

More comparisons

All early childhood education software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update