Side by side

Discover by Xplor vs ParentLink

Both stand on early childhood education software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Discover by Xplor

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Discover covers many administrative tasks for childcare services and includes a free family app for its families. The listed Discover SMS price is $282 a month, so providers should consider that paid plan in assessing fit.

Visit Discover by Xplor

ParentLink

Free plan Web

ParentLink combines operational, communication and learning-journal tools for childcare settings, with several paid capacity tiers and a free option. Consider the child limit and web-only access when choosing a plan.

Visit ParentLink

The facts

	Discover by Xplor	ParentLink
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Android, iPhone, Web	Web
Lowest paid plan	Discover SMS: $282 a month	Starter 50: £50 a month
Plans published	2	5
Maker	Discover by Xplor	Not published
Website	try.discoverchildcare.co.nz	parentlinkeducation.co.uk
On early childhood education software	#11 of 86	#15 of 86

Discover by Xplor: what it does well

Supports online enrolments and waitlist management.
Includes staff rostering and certification documentation tools.
Offers customizable child and finance reports.
Home family app is free for Discover families.
Available on Android, iOS, and web.

What to know first

Discover SMS is paid at $282 a month.
There is no free trial.
Listed support hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm NZT.

ParentLink: what it does well

Free plan has no time limit and requires no card.
Supports learning journals across five named curricula.
Pro trial lasts 14 days without a card.
Exports CSV statements for Xero, Sage and QuickBooks.

What to know first

Free plan is limited to 15 children.
No mobile apps are listed.
Accounts move to Free after the trial unless upgraded.

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