7 Best HiMama (Lillio) Alternatives in 2026

HiMama rebranded to Lillio in 2023, but the problems that make centers look for alternatives haven't changed.

If you're considering leaving Lillio — or just exploring what else is out there — here's an honest comparison of your options.

Why Centers Leave HiMama/Lillio

We talked to dozens of childcare directors who switched. The most common complaints:

1. Per-child pricing adds up fast — Growing center? Your software bill grows too. 100+ kids means $400-500+/month just for basic features.

2. Features split across plans — Need billing? That's extra. Need a parent app? Higher tier. Need attendance reports? Upgrade.

3. No website builder — You still need a separate website. Enrollment forms don't connect to your site.

4. Limited for camps — If you run summer programs, Lillio doesn't handle the differences well.

5. Interface feels dated — Mobile apps work, but feel like 2018. Staff complain about clunky workflows.

Let's look at what else is available.

1. Brightwheel

Best for: Centers wanting an all-in-one solution

Brightwheel is the market leader with 1 million+ users. They've raised hundreds of millions in funding and have a massive team.

Pricing: $200-550/month depending on features + per-child fees on higher tiers

Pros:

• Full feature set (attendance, billing, learning, communication)
• Strong brand recognition
• Parents may already have the app
• Good mobile experience

Cons:

• Per-child pricing on premium tiers ($4-6/child)
• Gets expensive as you grow
• No camp-specific features

Verdict: If you want the "safe" choice that parents recognize, Brightwheel works. But you'll pay for it.

2. Procare Solutions

Best for: Large centers needing enterprise features

Procare has been around since 1992. They're the old guard of childcare software.

Pricing: Contact for quote (typically $200-1,000+/month depending on size)

Pros:

• Extremely comprehensive
• Good for multi-site operations
• Robust reporting
• Handles complex billing scenarios

Cons:

• Dated interface
• Steep learning curve
• Expensive for small centers
• Implementation can take weeks

Verdict: Makes sense for large organizations with 200+ children. Overkill for a single-site center.

3. Playground

Best for: Modern centers wanting good design

Playground is one of the newer entrants, positioning itself as the "modern" alternative.

Pricing: $75-300/month + per-child fees

Pros:

• Clean, modern interface
• Good parent experience
• Reasonable base pricing

Cons:

• Still has per-child fees
• Newer company (founded 2017)
• No website builder
• Limited camp features

Verdict: If design matters to you and you're okay with per-child pricing, Playground is solid.

4. Kangarootime

Best for: Centers focused on billing automation

Kangarootime puts billing front and center with tuition management features.

Pricing: ~$3/child/month

Pros:

• Strong billing features
• Good subsidy management
• Contactless check-in

Cons:

• Per-child pricing (100 kids = $300/month)
• Learning features not as strong
• No website builder

Verdict: Good if billing complexity is your main pain point.

5. Kindertales

Best for: Budget-conscious centers

Kindertales offers a more affordable entry point.

Pricing: $99-299/month flat

Pros:

• Flat pricing (no per-child fees)
• Simple to use
• Good basic features

Cons:

• Limited feature depth
• Smaller company
• Not as many integrations

Verdict: Good budget option if you need basics without bells and whistles.

6. Sandbox Childcare

Best for: Centers needing strong staff management

Sandbox focuses on the operational side of running a center.

Pricing: Contact for quote

Pros:

• Good staff scheduling
• Ratio tracking
• Strong reporting

Cons:

• Parent app not as polished
• Limited marketing features
• No website builder

Verdict: Worth considering if staff management is your biggest challenge.

7. Bloomily

Best for: Centers running both childcare AND camps

Here's the gap in the market: what if you run a preschool AND summer camp? Or a childcare center AND holiday programs?

Every other tool on this list makes you choose: childcare software OR camp software. Bloomily does both.

Pricing: $99-299/month flat (no per-child fees, ever)

Pros:

• Flat monthly pricing
• Built for childcare AND camps
• Website builder included
• Modern tech (built 2025)
• NFC tap check-in
• Native mobile apps (not web wrappers)

Cons:

• Newer company
• Smaller customer base (for now)
• May be overkill if you never run camps

Verdict: If you run any kind of summer program, holiday camp, or before/after school care alongside your regular childcare, Bloomily is the only platform that handles everything in one place.

Feature Comparison Matrix

The True Cost Calculation

Let's do the math for a 75-child center:

That's $150-200/month in savings. Over a year, you're looking at $2,000+ back in your pocket.

And with Bloomily's included website builder, you can cancel your Squarespace/Wix subscription too.

How to Switch From Lillio

If you decide to move, here's the timeline:

Week 1-2: Export Data

• Download family records
• Export attendance history
• Save any documents/forms

Week 3-4: Set Up New System

• Import families
• Configure billing
• Set up staff accounts
• Build your website (if using Bloomily)

Week 5-6: Staff Training

• Train teachers on daily reports
• Train admins on billing
• Test check-in/check-out

Week 7: Soft Launch

• Invite families to new parent app
• Run parallel for one week

Week 8: Full Cutover

• Disable Lillio
• Full operation on new system

Pro tip: Time your switch for summer or a natural break in your calendar.

Questions to Ask During Demos

1. "What's my total monthly cost for [X] children?"
2. "Show me how a teacher does morning check-in"
3. "How does a parent register and pay for summer camp?"
4. "What happens when I add 20 more kids — does my price change?"
5. "Can I see the parent app on your phone?"
6. "How long does migration typically take?"

The Bottom Line

HiMama/Lillio isn't bad software. It works. But if you're frustrated by per-child fees, missing features, or the inability to handle your camp programs, there are better options now.

The market has matured. You have choices. Pick the one that fits your specific situation — not just the one with the biggest marketing budget.

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