Lillio vs brightwheel

Procare Solutions

Playground

All-in-one child care management software trusted by 40,000+ daycares, preschools, and youth programs to simplify running their business.

brightwheel

Brightwheel is both a mobile app (Android + iOS) and cloud-based software built for childcare, daycare, and preschool programs. Brightwheel childcare management software offers digital check-in/-out, digital daily reports, paperless billing, robust parent comms, and free training and support.

Playground is a childcare management software that assists with billing, family engagement, digital paperwork, attendance tracking, food program management, reporting, staffing, and more.

Director

The customer service and billing was terrible.

director of operations

It's pricey and the invoicing system seems a bit dated, like it's the predecessor hiMama

Overall, I was with Lillio for several years however my business didn’t feel valued therefore I was okay with taking my business to another portal.

VP Chief Publishing Officer

I love that I can very detailed report about my cash flow very easily and the way the graphical representation is presented is very nice.

HiMama is a preschool teacher and early childhood educator's most trusted tool. Engage your families and document like a whiz, saving time in the process.

Activity Dashboard

Activity Tracking

Admissions Management

Alerts/Notifications

Assignment Management

Attendance Management

Attendance Tracking

Billing & Invoicing

Calendar Management

Check-in/Check-out

Class Scheduling

Communications Management

Contact Database

Curriculum Management

Customer Accounts

Customizable Forms

Customizable Reports

Daily Reports

Data Import/Export

Data Security

Document Management

Document Storage

Electronic Payments

Electronic Signature

Employee Management

Enrollments/Onboarding

Facility Management

Faculty/Staff Management

Financial Management

Immunization & Allergy Tracking

Learning Management

Lesson Planning

Meal/Nutrition Management

Milestone Tracking

Multi-Location

Online Calendar

Online Payments

Parent Portal

Parent/Student Portal

Payment Processing

Progress Reports

Records Management

Registration Management

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Role-Based Permissions

Self Service Portal

Student Information/Records

Student Management

Wait List Management

By industry, Lillio reviewers are most commonly professionals in education management (15%). The most frequent use case for Lillio cited by reviewers is daycare (97% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some users report that Lillio offers a comprehensive feature set and budget-friendly options, and they feel the benefits justify the cost. Reviewers appreciate area-based pricing, but some reviewers find the pricing structure confusing and expensive, especially for small organizations. Users indicate that the cost can be high compared to competitors, and some reviewers feel refund policies are strict and discounts inconsistent.

Value for money

Lillio is a daycare program with key features that include communications management, a parent portal, data security, alerts and notifications, daily reports, attendance tracking, and more.

Lillio

iPhone

iPad

Android

Windows

Web-based

Storypark

myKidzDay

Kindertales

Lillio (formerly HiMama) Center Management

Lillio Academy (formerly HiMama Academy)

Lillio Learning powered by FunShine Curriculum Kits

Lillio Learning powered by FunShine Digital Curriculum

High and inflexible pricing

Program coordinator 

Not a fan of the pricing structure and it seems there is a lot of wiggle room as we were offered multiple discounts during the same phone conversation. If this is the case, why not price it better to begin with?

Creative Specialist

The platform can be expensive for smaller organizations and the pricing model may not be suitable for all budgets.

56% of reviewers feel negative about Pricing. Reviewers indicate that the subscription cost is high, especially for small daycare centers or organizations with limited budgets. They say the pricing structure can be confusing, with additional charges for extra classrooms or features. Some users report dissatisfaction with refund policies and feel that the value does not always justify the expense. They mention that the cost may deter some providers from adopting the app, despite its benefits.

Inconsistent sign-in functionality

66% of reviewers feel negative about the Sign-In Feature. Reviewers report that the app frequently signs them out or requires multiple sign-ins throughout the day, interrupting their workflow. They say the process for signing children in and out can be confusing or unreliable, sometimes failing to capture required signatures or reset properly. Some users mention that family members do not always receive daily reports consistently. They find these issues detract from the convenience and reliability expected from a digital sign-in system.

Persistent login and access problems

75% of reviewers feel negative about Login Issues. Reviewers say they are often logged out unexpectedly and must repeatedly enter their credentials, which is inconvenient and time-consuming. Some users report difficulties staying logged in across multiple devices or resetting passwords. They indicate that login problems can prevent timely access to updates and disrupt their experience. Reviewers mention that the app sometimes fails to remember login information, causing frustration for families and staff who need regular access.

Difficult photo zooming experience

91% of reviewers feel negative about Photo Zoom. Reviewers indicate that zooming in on photos is often frustrating, as the interface can be glitchy and unresponsive. They say attempting to enlarge images frequently causes the app to switch to another photo or freeze, making it hard to view details. Some users report that photo collages and low resolution further reduce image clarity. They find navigating between photos cumbersome and mention that these issues disrupt their ability to fully enjoy or save pictures of their children.

Slow and unreliable performance

Consultant

Performance Issues: Occasionally, when I tap on a notification, the app fails to load properly.

84% of reviewers feel negative about Performance and Speed. Reviewers report frequent slow loading times, app freezes, and occasional crashes that disrupt their workflow. They say the app can be laggy when switching screens, uploading content, or accessing notifications. Some users mention that technical glitches, such as delayed updates or unresponsive buttons, require them to restart the app or device. They find these issues particularly frustrating when trying to complete time-sensitive tasks or access important information quickly.

Frequent teacher photo sharing

Communications advisor

Seeing photos and videos of what my child is up to throughout the day is my favourite part of the app (especially during the pandemic where participating in their class activities is currently restricted as a precaution).

93% of reviewers feel positive about Teacher Photo Updates. Reviewers say they enjoy receiving photos and videos from teachers that showcase their child’s daily activities, learning moments, and interactions. They indicate that these visual updates help them feel more connected and spark conversations with their children about their day. Some users appreciate being able to download and save photos, while others mention that the feature reduces anxiety about being away from their child. They value the ease of accessing and sharing these memories with family.

Real-time child status updates

96% of reviewers feel positive about Child Updates. Reviewers indicate that receiving instant, detailed updates about their child’s daily activities, health, and needs provides them with peace of mind, especially for parents of children with special requirements. They say real-time notifications help them stay connected and involved, even when away from their child. Some users report that these updates make it easier to plan around events or appointments and appreciate being able to share access with extended family. Reviewers appreciate the user-friendly approach and the ability to track progress throughout the day.

Direct messaging with teachers

Postdoctoral fellow

The messaging feature lets me contact the educators and managers as soon as possible and is much easier than calling them.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Teacher Communication. Reviewers appreciate being able to send and receive messages with teachers throughout the day, allowing for immediate discussion of concerns or updates. They say this feature fosters transparency and collaboration between parents and educators. Some users mention that the messaging system is convenient for discussing allergies, daily routines, or developmental progress. They find it helpful to communicate without needing phone calls and value the ability to involve other family members in these conversations.

Daycare-to-parent daily updates

94% of reviewers feel positive about Daycare Updates. Reviewers say they value the ability to receive regular notifications about their child’s meals, sleep, activities, and special events directly from daycare staff. They indicate that having access to photos, videos, and daily reports helps them feel connected and reassured while at work. Some users report that the app streamlines communication, reduces paperwork, and makes administrative tasks like billing and attendance tracking more efficient. They appreciate being able to check updates at any time and contribute to their child’s records.

Pastor of Digital Discipleship

As a parent, it is simple to keep tabs on my child's progress in this app as his teacher updates his feed with pictures and progress reports.

Assistant Professor

for some reason it stopped giving me notifications and I have to refresh the app every time to see if there is any update on food, etc.

Teacher

It makes it easy to communicate and receive notifications from our dayhome, and also gives me peace of mind that my children are being taken care of.

Technical Lead engineer

The message notifications sync is delayed at times and will receive the messages off late.

My experience has been very good and that is why I do not just use it for business finances but to also keep track of my personal finances.

Engineer

Lillio is a strong tool for goal-setting and productivity, though expanded integrations would enhance its value.

Instead of opening normally, it displays a blank white screen.

Limited integrations with other productivity tools can make it harder to streamline workflow.

HR Manager

The software makes attendance tracking easy and offers amazing data privacy features

The messaging feature gives me quick access to his teacher and to the preschool director.

use the app daily to stay updated on my child.

It's great for quick check on my kids in daycare and messaging all teachers and the supervisor.

The thought of always connected with the child even in the busy work schedule is a stress buster and Lillio helps with it and it is super useful

Apart from the fact that there are some very few occasions that transactions are not updated on time, I do not have anything I like the least about Lillio.

Digital Marketing Executive

Lillio has less advanced features also some times its integrated tools lacks.

Also, it has profile for each kid that I can switch between them.

Instrumentation and Automation PLSC

Communication between us, the parents, and the daycare, is at the top thanks to Lillio.

the lillio software allows me to follow the real-time progress of the children's education during my working time

Manager

This wonderful app provide the ease of access and real time up dates of their kids  with pictures and lesson through out the day.

Sr. Technical Recruiter

HiMama helps me a lot in taking care of my kids and keep tacking their daily activity and school management.

Salesforce Developer

Its numerous features and customization options could overwhelm users looking for a simpler solution.

I love Hi Mama for its multi functional utility,  super simple to use, easy to handle,monitored activities, view and print attendance  history and  in time messages and report to parents make it the best choice of every parent.

Owner

I like using it at my kids daycare as gifts a great tracking and security is integral

cstomer support

It also made doing the attendance so much easier for both the staff and the parents. But my favourite thing about this app is that it enables the parents to track the children's progress and even communicate with the staff to get more information about their child's progress.

Doctor

It allows me to keep them informed of the progress of activities with their children.

There is limited customization for pictures so sometimes viewing them is not easy too.

Representative

I use this application because i work part-time at a daycare center, and himama allowed the children to progress in many ways thanks to the varied options they feature.

They charge users for HD pictures if you want to download them.  

Associate consultant 

It's been super cool app that has literally reduced the burden of taking care of children and enables us to understand what our children goes through physically and mentally on a daily basis so that necessary steps can be taken to get more closer towards our children.

Parent Portal stood out standing for its exceptional conduct by offering the ease and efficiency  together for its consumers.

The platform offers a variety of tools that allow teachers to send updates, photos and videos to parents, and vice versa.

Intern

Simple to use, with assistance from Lillio's knowledgeable staff when needed.

You can do your lesson plan, send detailed report to parents, make a digital portfolio of the child anctivities and progress.

Comercial Designer

Also the app's parent communication features allow parents to stay informed about their child's daily activities, fostering better engagement between parents and educators.

Stylist 

I love how they can post pics daily and it gets sent right to me in a safe system!

Assistante projet

It is not an application that takes into account certain realities for daycare

This allows teachers to keep track of the children's activities, meals, naps and milestones throughout the day.

Entrepreneur/History Lecturer

I am able to communicate with all my baby's teacher, connect in real time through video and photo uploads for activities she does.  

Educator

I am able to use the app to complete all my childcare needs to ensure seamless communication between parents and educators.

Marketing Manager

Great user interface which allows moms to easily find a suitable daycare  

Photographer 

The detailed account enables to build trust, as well as being able to schedule and pay all within your fingertips.

Nurse Manager 

The only thing I didn’t like about HiMama was that I couldn’t save my login information for some reason.

supply chain manager

From ridiculous and entertaining moments to learning and development, HiMama provides an easy way to record and share your children's activities, engage with parents and improve their outcomes.

Access Coordinab

Benifits me by allowing me to keep up with my childrens feedings, diaper changes, naps, activities.

Parent Communication

Daycare Updates

Customer Support

Integrations

Security and Access Control

Teacher Photo Updates

Photo Sharing

Performance and Speed

Notification System

Features

Small Business

Mid-size Business

Large Enterprises

Freelancers

Lillio is a cloud-based solution for parent communication, digital daily reports generation, and educational documentation in daycare, child care and preschool classrooms.

Student

Furthermore, while the customer support team is generally responsive, they have not always been able to resolve my issues in a timely or satisfactory manner.

Childcare Provider

Customer service was so helpful when getting started, they have great step by step tutorials if you need, or can talk to someone live, and they were so informative and friendly.

Easy check-in/check-out, menu planning + food program records, parent auto-pay, phone support, free trainings

Lillio vs brightwheel Comparison (2026)

Lillio

brightwheel

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives