Side by side
Nursly vs Wren
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.
Free plan Web
Nursly combines ratio monitoring, attendance, compliance tracking and operational records in one web platform. Its permanent records and inspection readiness tools are useful for settings with detailed documentation needs.
Visit Nursly Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
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.
Visit WrenThe facts
| Nursly | Wren | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Web | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | See the plans | Managed hosting: £44 a month |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | nursly.co.uk | getwren.co.uk |
| On early childhood education software | #20 of 86 | #16 of 86 |
Nursly: what it does well
- Real-time ratio alerts by zone
- Digital sign-in updates registers automatically
- Expiry reminders for DBS and qualifications
- Readiness score covers nine inspection categories
- Permanent audit trails for key records
What to know first
- No billing and payments tools
- No lesson planning feature
- Starter plan limited to 25 children
- Professional pricing is listed in USD or GBP
Wren: 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