Smartcare vs Kangarootime

Lillio

brightwheel

Procare Solutions

Thinkific

Classter

ChargeOver

Compare Smartcare and Kangarootime based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

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.

Procare Solutions is a cloud-based childcare management software that simplifies administrative tasks and enables contactless check-in/out, integrated tuition collection, business management, and more.

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

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.

Activity Dashboard

Activity Tracking

Attendance Tracking

Billing & Invoicing

Calendar Management

Check-in/Check-out

Communications Management

Contact Database

Customer Accounts

Daily Reports

Electronic Signature

Employee Management

Enrollments/Onboarding

Immunization & Allergy Tracking

Meal/Nutrition Management

Milestone Tracking

Parent Portal

Payment Processing

Records Management

Registration Management

Reporting & Statistics

Role-Based Permissions

Wait List Management

Smartcare

Android

Linux

Web-based

Windows

iPad

iPhone

Administrative Assistant

There are a few attributes that we used regularly from the previous software that we are sorely missing. For example, there is no way to track employee vacation, sick, or personal time.

Child Care Director

Sometimes for no reason our entire center jumps into the wrong class and on one occasion the entire center was signed out when a teacher logged off. This has cause a lot of panic from our parents.

Teacher

I love being able to sign my children in and out using this app. I also love receiving notes/messages about my kids during the day.

Administrative assistant 

Not able to delete payments are charges that have been entered. I would also do away with flu vaccine option since it is not a requirement vaccine.

case manager

The teachers are able to share pictures and child's progress via app which is super convenient. Being able to also see who signs children in and out with a unique code and or pin.

I love being able to see pictures/videos of my kids. I love being able to view our bill on the app.

Director of Compliance, Reporting & Financial Analysis

I was not in on any of the training but have found it very easy to get into and find what I need. I also like that we have our money straight in the bank.

Director of Media & Communications

Unfortunately there is no API so integration with other products is someone limited. The reports are somewhat limited at times as well.

Director

When an error is made the parent question the competency of the childcare staff. When pulling reports it is often difficult to get the specific information needed to complete a task as assigned.

Good customer support during transition was very good.

The support at Smartcare is very responsive, quick to help, and eager to solve problems. Smartcare saves administrative time and has really cut down on paper used at our center.

I don't think it's perfect, but there are enough good aspects to make me not look elsewhere for another option. Customer service has been excellent and I believe they will continue to improve it.

Art Teacher

A setback is that there is no way for teachers to see what was updated from previous teachers before them, which can cause confusion.

I also love that you can also pay your co-pay through the app.

The only issue i have notice with the app is that  it does sometimes lag and updates will post late.

Owner/Director

It is now hard to pass on those costs to parents because we don't use it for billing.

Teachers 

Overall very user friendly and go lots design.

Smartcare screenshot: Smartcare send notiifcations

Smartcare screenshot: Smartcare check in and out

Smartcare screenshot: Smartcare timeline view

Smartcare screenshot: Smartcare manage center

Smartcare screenshot: Smartcare handle billing

Smartcare screenshot: Smartcare billing settings

Smartcare screenshot: Smartcare add charges

Smartcare screenshot: SmartCare family dashboard

Smartcare screenshot: SmartCare reporting

Smartcare screenshot: SmartCare accounting feature

Smartcare screenshot: Smartcare manage leads

Smartcare screenshot: Smartcare enrollments

Smartcare screenshot: Smartcare dashboard

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Non Profit

Public Administrations

Small Business

Thinkific is an award-winning platform that helps businesses create, sell, and scale online learning and community experiences.

Classter is the only all-in-one school, learning and student information management platform that simplifies everything. 

From admissions to alumni, Classter handles it all in one place. 

Empower teachers, engage students, and make data-driven decisions with ease.

ChargeOver is a recurring billing & subscription billing management app which automatically sends invoices & receives payments, requests updated payment information when payments are late, & provides comprehensive reporting, customer portals, & more

Kangarootime is a cloud-based childcare platform with automated payments and billing, a digital classroom and a parent communication tool.

Activity Management

Alerts/Notifications

Assignment Management

Attendance Management

Chat/Messaging

Class Scheduling

Content Library

Content Management

Customizable Reports

Data Import/Export

Data Security

Event Calendar

For Classroom

Gradebook

Learning Management

Live Chat

Multi-Location

Real-Time Chat

Real-Time Monitoring

Real-Time Notifications

Student Information/Records

Student Management

Support Audio/Images/Video

Third-Party Integrations

Kangarootime

We love the ease of the program and the ease of the set up. All features are easy to use.

Center Director 

We truly enjoy using Kangarootime, it is very user friendly, our parents are very happy with the app and all its features.

KangarooTime helps us communicate effectively with our parents, and organize our tuition and paperwork. We love the checking in and out feature.

Center Director

When typing messages to parents, it lags terribly. We use this program on iPads and does not work well.

Owner

I am very happy with the decision to stay with Kangarootime - we did research other child care management software when taking over this facility and felt that this one best suited our needs.

Assistant Director

The excellent customer support we always receive. And the fact that they take our ideas and implement them the best they can.

Regional Manager

I have had a good experience with it, and anytime I need help, you are always there.

Executive Director

Also billing is easy and understandable for the most part. Customer Service is also AMAZING!!! They have helped so much and made it a very easy experience.

I love how easily it is to manage billing as the accounting guy at our school. Also, the whole check in and check out process is easier and better for teachers and parents.

owner/director

The costumer service is so helpful and great to deal with.

Our parents have had some issues with the app and setting up their accounts. We have also had issues with the charges.

I also like the ease of receiving payments from parents or guardians in one location where parents can see their invoices and statements.

Assistant director

The cost of product is great as it is easy to use.

Frankly, extremely disappointed with this program and the overall response time to one simple issue.

I enjoy having one place where parents can get all of their information from administration, teachers, therapists and nursing staff.

Kangarootime has made the operations of my childcare center and preschool so much easier. I highly recommend Kangarootime.

You have to click on every single icon to get to an account, change an account, it is not on the same screen and makes it difficult to input information. It is very tedious and time-consuming.

Accounting Manager

We would like Kangarootime integrated with our payroll software in the year 2022.

Kangarootime screenshot: Kangarootime Enrollment Dashboard allows you to optimize your center's capacity, manage leads, and increase enrollment.

Kangarootime screenshot: Kangarootime manage, add, and monitor family accounts 

Kangarootime screenshot: Kangarootime customize classes depending on your center's offerings.

Kangarootime screenshot: Kangarootime monitor, track, and manage payments easily at your center. Gain insight into your center's financial data using in-depth reporting.

Smartcare vs Kangarootime Comparison (2026)

Smartcare

Kangarootime

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives