Brightwheel vs Lillio: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Brightwheel and Lillio side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Brightwheel
The #1 childcare management software for early childhood education programs.
Best for you if:
- • You want saves up to 20 hours per month on administrative tasks for centers
Lillio
The #1 rated childcare management solution for early childhood programs.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly reduces time spent on billing and administrative tasks
| At a Glance | Brightwheel | Lillio |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Not published | Not published |
Category | Productivity HR & Recruiting | Student Information Systems Communication |
Rating | 4.6/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.6 · SourceForge 4.3 3,492 reviews | 4.6/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.7 3,702 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Brightwheel or Lillio?
Choose Brightwheel if
- You want saves up to 20 hours per month on administrative tasks for centers
- You want increases on-time payments for preschools by up to 90%
- You work in productivity, not student information systems
Choose Lillio if
- You want significantly reduces time spent on billing and administrative tasks
- You want drastically improves parent communication and satisfaction
- You work in student information systems, not productivity
In-Depth Analysis
Brightwheel
The #1 childcare management software for early childhood education programs.
However, the extensive feature set suggests it's likely positioned as a premium solution for larger childcare centers or those seeking a complete operational overhaul.
Strengths
- Pro: Saves up to 20 hours per month on administrative tasks for centers.
- Pro: Increases on-time payments for preschools by up to 90%.
- Pro: Improves communication with families for 95% of administrators and staff.
- Pro: Offers a comprehensive suite of features covering billing, communication, learning, and management.
- Pro: Provides easy setup for billing and payment processes.
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricing details are not publicly available and require a demo request.
Key features
Lillio
The #1 rated childcare management solution for early childhood programs.
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly reduces time spent on billing and administrative tasks.
- Pro: Drastically improves parent communication and satisfaction.
- Pro: Streamlines weekly planning and observations for educators, freeing up time for child engagement.
- Pro: Offers curriculum aligned with state standards.
- Pro: Provides dedicated customer support and account management.
Weaknesses
- Con: Specific pricing details are not publicly available and require a demo request.
- Con: No explicit mention of integrations with other common childcare tools or platforms.
Key features
Plans and prices: Brightwheel vs Lillio
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Brightwheel |
| mybrightwheel.com/pricing read Oct 1, 2026 |
| Lillio | No plan prices on file | lillio.com |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Brightwheel pricing and Lillio pricing.
Key Takeaways
Brightwheel
- Choose if you want the #1 childcare management software for early childhood education programs
Lillio
- Choose if you want the #1 rated childcare management solution for early childhood programs
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 3,492 reviews for Brightwheel, 4.6/5 from 3,702 reviews for Lillio).
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Brightwheel and Lillio compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 3,492 reviews for Brightwheel, 4.6/5 from 3,702 reviews for Lillio).
What are Brightwheel and Lillio used for?
Brightwheel: The #1 childcare management software for early childhood education programs. Lillio: The #1 rated childcare management solution for early childhood programs.
What does Brightwheel cost vs Lillio?
Brightwheel has no public paid-plan price on file. Lillio has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Brightwheel and Lillio?
Brightwheel's main strength: saves up to 20 hours per month on administrative tasks for centers. Lillio's main strength: significantly reduces time spent on billing and administrative tasks.