# BackPR vs brightwheel

Source: https://backpr.com/compare/brightwheel. Last updated: 2026-10-11.

URL: https://backpr.com/compare/brightwheel

brightwheel is an all-in-one platform for childcare centers, preschools and afterschool programs, with a quote-based Premium plan that renews automatically and service fees on online payments. BackPR is free for nonprofits, uses Stripe's standard rates and has no long-term contract.

| | BackPR | brightwheel |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Youth and community programs: camps, after-school, childcare, classes, sports, schools and churches. | Childcare centers, preschools, in-home child care, Montessori, multisite centers, and camps and afterschool programs. |
| Cost for nonprofits | $0. No subscription and no BackPR fees. | No published nonprofit pricing. |
| Pricing | Nonprofits: $0. Other organizations: custom quote. | Premium is quote-based. A free plan covers 1 staff member and fewer than 20 students, with limited features. |
| Fees added to what families pay | None from BackPR. | Programs choose whether families pay brightwheel's service fees on card and bank-transfer payments, including autopay. |
| Payment fees | Stripe's standard processing rates. For nonprofits, BackPR adds nothing on top. | brightwheel charges a card fee and an ACH fee on online payments, quoted per program. Its help center puts ACH at 0.6% (25¢ minimum, $2 maximum) for most programs. |
| Contract | No long-term contract. Cancel anytime with no exit fees. | Monthly or annual subscriptions renew automatically; cancel at least 30 days before renewal. Fees are non-refundable. |
| Onboarding and data import | Free, including data import. | Onboarding and roster import are included in Premium. |
| Spanish for families | Yes. | Families can switch the app and web to Spanish. |

Where BackPR is different:
- **Free for nonprofits:** Nonprofit programs get every BackPR feature at no cost. brightwheel's Premium plan is quoted, and its free plan is limited to small programs.
- **No BackPR transaction fee:** Payments run on Stripe at its standard rates, and BackPR adds nothing for nonprofits.
- **No auto-renewing term:** BackPR has no contract term or renewal notice period.

What brightwheel does well: brightwheel has a broad all-in-one feature set across billing, messaging, attendance, lesson plans and staff tools, a parent app that's free for families, and Spanish for parents.

Sources (checked October 10, 2026): brightwheel pricing (https://mybrightwheel.com/pricing/); brightwheel terms of service (https://mybrightwheel.com/terms/); brightwheel help: billing settings (https://help.mybrightwheel.com/en/articles/5599596-customize-your-billing-experience-in-settings); brightwheel help: changing your language (https://help.mybrightwheel.com/en/articles/11409039-change-your-language)

**Can BackPR import our data from brightwheel?**
Yes, for free. Send us an export from brightwheel or any spreadsheet, and we'll set up your families, participants and programs in BackPR.

**Do families pay a fee to BackPR?**
No. BackPR never adds its own fee to what families pay. If you choose to pass on card processing, it's your setting and it's clearly labeled.