Freedom251 › Early Childhood Education Software

Wren

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hostedWebWindows

What Wren is

Wren is education management software for nurseries and schools, with an EYFS edition currently feature-complete and primary and secondary editions planned for 2027. The EYFS tools cover observations, a diary, EYFS tracking, funding, ratios and parent communications, alongside family communication and attendance or check-in functions. Wren runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, the web and self-hosted setups. Its progressive web app portals can be added to a phone home screen and work offline. Core management information functions also work offline, although parent access, cloud backups and email notifications are unavailable in air-gapped mode. The maker says self-hosted AI runs locally and keeps data on the setting’s hardware. Migration can bring data from EYLog, Tapestry, BrightHR and SIMS. Automatic daily encrypted backups can target Google Drive, OneDrive, a NAS, Backblaze or USB. Self-hosted software is free forever; managed hosting costs £44 per month, or £30 per month for settings under 10 children, plus one-off setup and migration.

Who it suits

Wren suits nurseries needing EYFS administration, family communication, attendance and check-in tools. Self-hosting may suit settings wanting local AI, offline core functions and configurable backups.

What it does well

Free self-hosted plan includes all features
EYFS tools cover observations and funding
Progressive web app portals work offline
Daily encrypted backups support several destinations
Migration service supports four named systems

What to know first

Primary and secondary editions planned for 2027
Air-gapped mode removes parent access and notifications
Managed hosting adds setup and migration costs
Self-host licence restricts resale and hosted use

Limits

In air-gapped mode, parent access, cloud backups, and email notifications are unavailable. Managed hosting costs £44 per month, or £30 per month for settings under 10 children, plus one-off setup and migration.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Self-hosted software	Free forever · Free forever · All features and portals included · Docker image for self-install	Free
Managed hosting	£44/month flat; £30/month for settings under 10 children, plus one-off setup and migration · Dedicated UK-hosted instance · backups, updates and monitoring included	£44 a month
Self-hosted	Free forever · All features and portals · self-hosted · BSL 1.1	Free
Hardware install	One-off; hardware plus setup and migration · Pre-configured hardware · data migration · staff training	On request

As getwren.co.uk lists them, read 24 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Choose self-hosted software, hardware installation, or managed hosting
For self-hosting, install the Docker image on your hardware
For managed hosting, arrange the dedicated UK-hosted instance and one-off setup and migration
Import records through the migration service from EYLog, Tapestry, BrightHR, or SIMS
Add the progressive web app portals to phones’ home screens

Verdict

Wren combines nursery management, family communication and offline-capable portals with self-hosting options. Check the air-gapped limitations, licence terms and edition availability before choosing a deployment.

Questions

How much does Wren cost?

Self-hosted software is free forever. Managed hosting costs £44 per month, or £30 per month for settings under 10 children, plus one-off setup and migration.

Which platforms can run Wren?

Wren supports Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows deployments. Its portals are progressive web apps for phones.

Does Wren work offline?

The core management information system and progressive web app portals work offline. In air-gapped mode, parent access, cloud backups, and email notifications are unavailable.

Is Wren open source?

Wren is source-available under BSL 1.1, with each release converting to AGPL four years after release. Reselling, offering it as a hosted service to others, and shipping it pre-installed on hardware are prohibited.

What does the EYFS edition include?

It includes observations, a diary, an EYFS tracker, funding, ratios, parent communications, family communication, and attendance or check-in.

What backup options are available?

Automatic daily encrypted backups can go to Google Drive, OneDrive, a NAS, Backblaze, or USB.

Facts from Wren's own pages

Attendance and check-in: Yes · getwren.co.uk, 24 Sept 2026
Availability: The site says Wren is in final testing and that the EYFS edition is feature-complete; primary and secondary editions are planned to follow in 2027. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Backups: The maker describes automatic daily encrypted backups to a chosen destination, including Google Drive, OneDrive, a NAS, Backblaze or USB. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Family communication: Yes · getwren.co.uk, 24 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · getwren.co.uk, 24 Sept 2026
Integrations: The maker says its migration service can bring data from EYLog, Tapestry, BrightHR and SIMS. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Licence: Wren is source-available under BSL 1.1; the site says each release converts to AGPL four years after release. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Licence limits: The site says users may not resell Wren, offer it as a hosted service to others, or ship it pre-installed on hardware. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Local AI: The maker says Wren’s self-hosted AI runs locally and that data stays on the setting’s hardware. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Mobile access: The maker says each portal is a progressive web app that can be added to a phone’s home screen and works offline. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Mobile apps: both · getwren.co.uk, 24 Sept 2026
Nursery features: The EYFS offering includes observations, a diary, an EYFS tracker, funding, ratios and parent communications. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Offline use: The maker says Wren’s core MIS functions offline, while some services such as parent access, cloud backups and email notifications are unavailable in air-gapped mode. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Wren is education management software for nurseries and schools, with an EYFS edition and primary and secondary editions planned for 2027. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Security certification: The site states Wren Software Ltd is Cyber Essentials certified through IASME, valid to July 2027. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The free self-host plan lists community support through GitHub issues; the hardware install service includes staff training. · getwren.co.uk, 11 Oct 2026

Where Wren stands on Freedom251

Early Childhood Education Software#16 of 86