GetApp offers objective, independent research and verified user reviews. We may earn a referral fee when you visit a vendor through our links.

Our commitment

Independent research methodology

Our researchers use a mix of verified reviews, independent research, and objective methodologies to bring you selection and ranking information you can trust. While we may earn a referral fee when you visit a provider through our links or speak to an advisor, this has no influence on our research or methodology.

Learn more

Verified user reviews

GetApp maintains a proprietary database of millions of in-depth, verified user reviews across thousands of products in hundreds of software categories. Our data scientists apply advanced modeling techniques to identify key insights about products based on those reviews. We may also share aggregated ratings and select excerpts from those reviews throughout our site.

Our human moderators verify that reviewers are real people and that reviews are authentic. They use leading tech to analyze text quality and to detect plagiarism and generative AI.

Learn more

How GetApp ensures transparency

GetApp lists all providers across its website—not just those that pay us—so that users can make informed purchase decisions. GetApp is free for users. Software providers pay us for sponsored profiles to receive web traffic and sales opportunities. Sponsored profiles include a link-out icon that takes users to the provider’s website.

Learn more

Smartcare vs brightwheel Comparison (2026)

Add to Compare

Compare similar apps

Procare Solutions

4.6

Daily Connect

4.8

Lillio

4.6

Good recommendations?

Smartcare

brightwheel

Overview

Smartcare is a cloud-based child care center management software that assists with connecting parents, care center owners, directors and teachers in real time with each other.

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

Platforms supported

Web-based
iPhone app
Android app
Windows Phone app

Typical customers

Freelancers
Small businesses
Mid size businesses
Large enterprises

Customer support

Phone
Online
Knowledge base
Video tutorials

view more detailsview details

Platforms supported

Web-based
iPhone app
Android app
Windows Phone app

Typical customers

Freelancers
Small businesses
Mid size businesses
Large enterprises

Customer support

Phone
Online
Knowledge base
Video tutorials

view more detailsview details

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

Starting from

No pricing info

Free trial available
Credit cardless trial
Free account
Subscription based

Starting from

No pricing info

Free trial available
Credit cardless trial
Free account
Subscription based

User reviews

3.8

280

106

Value for money

Ease of use

Features

Customer support

51%

would recommend this app

4.7

3.2K

2.3K

829

102

Value for money

Ease of use

Features

Customer support

86%

would recommend this app

Pros

“It was useful for signing children in and out of the center.”

Melody G.

Admin

“I liked the ease of navigating the system when it came to pulling reports, uploading photos and communicating with parents.”

Michelle H.

Curriculum Director

“It's a great app to get real-time updates about your child at day care and allows you to view the bills as well.”

Neha B.

Senior Manager

Pros

“I can do child scheduling, employee scheduling, time tracking, billing all in one place.”

Renae T.

Owner

“It tracks everything I need, allows parents to see everything their child does, and allows for quick communication.”

Tabitha B.

Daycare Owner

“I wish my son's school would use the calendar feature more and have the calendar push automatic reminders about days off, special things for school, etc.”

Nicole T.

Marketing Manager

Cons

“There were many crashes and a few times payments weren’t charged, and the double charged on the parent’s causing issues.”

Samantha U.

Assistant Director

“In our case, we could not customize the welcome letter, which stated all the features of Smartcare that would be available to our parents, even the features we were not signed up for. ”

pam n.

business manager

“Very slow if any turn around on development ticket items, so many glitches, not user friendly, not capable of billing for the current month.”

Chelsea W.

After School Program Director

Cons

“Brightwheel does not store photos for free, requiring users to pay to access photo galleries from the past.”

Sanaa M.

Teacher

“I currently have to pull everyone from active and inactive to a spread sheet only to delete what I do not need based on enrollment and end dates. ”

Mary B.

Enrollment Manager