The 5 Best Dog Grooming Software Platforms in 2026
Every platform on this list can handle basic grooming scheduling. The differences are in pricing structure, what is included versus add-on, payment processing flexibility, and whether the software was built by people who actually run pet care businesses.
1. Animal Friends OS
Best Overall
$45/month flat — everything included
Animal Friends OS was built by someone who runs a grooming, boarding, daycare, and training business. That matters because the software reflects decisions made by someone who has stood behind a grooming table, dealt with no-shows, managed a team of groomers, and needed payroll done by Friday. The grooming scheduler uses per-groomer columns with drag-and-drop, supports recurring standing appointments, walk-in management, and breed-specific service templates. SMS confirmations and day-before reminders are included at no extra cost because the builder uses Twilio at $0.004 per message instead of marking it up to $0.10+ like most competitors. You keep your own payment processor — Square, Stripe, Clover, whatever you already use. The software never touches your revenue.
Pros
- $45/month flat — no per-staff fees, no tiers, no add-ons
- Use your own payment processor (no revenue share)
- Bring your own SMS provider ($0.004/msg vs $0.05–0.15)
- Unlimited staff accounts included
- Grooming + boarding + daycare + training all in one
- Built-in payroll with integrated timeclock
- Before/after photo system with watermarking
- Online booking widget for your website
- QuickBooks integration included
- 14-day free trial, no credit card
Cons
- Newer platform — smaller user community than Gingr
- No native mobile app yet (responsive web app works on all devices)
- Fewer third-party integrations than larger incumbents
Best for: Grooming businesses of any size that want everything in one place at a predictable price. Especially strong for shops that also offer boarding, daycare, or training and do not want to pay for multiple software subscriptions.
2. Gingr
$125+/mo
Starting at $125/month + per-staff fees
Gingr is the incumbent in pet care software and has been around for years. It has a solid grooming calendar, boarding management, and a large user community. The interface is functional if somewhat dated. Where Gingr struggles is pricing — the base plan starts at $125/month, but most real grooming businesses end up paying $150 to $200+ once you add staff seats, SMS packages, and their required payment processing. Gingr forces you onto their integrated payment processor, which takes a percentage of every transaction. For a grooming shop doing $30,000/month in revenue, that processing fee adds up to hundreds of dollars on top of your subscription.
Pros
- Mature platform with years of development
- Large user community and support knowledge base
- Solid grooming + boarding feature set
- Report cards and digital communications
- Good client portal for pet parents
Cons
- Expensive — $125+/mo before add-ons and per-staff fees
- Forced payment processing (takes a cut of your revenue)
- SMS costs extra on top of subscription
- Interface feels dated compared to newer platforms
- No built-in payroll
Best for: Established grooming businesses with large budgets who value a mature ecosystem and do not mind paying premium prices. Good if you are already on Gingr and switching costs feel high.
3. MoeGo
$95+/mo
Starting at $95/month (grooming only — boarding extra)
MoeGo has gained traction with mobile groomers and small grooming salons thanks to a clean, modern interface and strong mobile app. The scheduling is intuitive, and the route optimization for mobile groomers is genuinely useful. However, MoeGo is primarily a grooming tool — if you also do boarding or daycare, those are separate add-ons that increase your monthly cost. SMS is also an add-on. For a grooming-only salon, MoeGo is a decent option, but the total cost climbs fast once you start adding the features that Animal Friends OS includes at $45/month.
Pros
- Clean, modern UI — easy to learn
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go scheduling
- Route optimization for mobile groomers
- Good client communication features
- Growing quickly with active development
Cons
- Boarding and daycare are paid add-ons
- SMS costs extra
- No built-in payroll
- Forced payment processing on most plans
- Price increases as you add features that competitors include
Best for: Solo mobile groomers or small salons that only do grooming and value a polished mobile experience. Less ideal for multi-service facilities.
4. DaySmart Pet
$149+/mo
Starting at $149/month for the full suite
DaySmart Pet (formerly 123Pet Software) has been in the pet software space for a long time. It covers grooming, boarding, and some retail/point-of-sale functionality. The software is comprehensive but feels heavy — there is a lot of clicking through menus to do basic tasks. Pricing starts at $149/month for the plan that includes boarding, and SMS is an additional cost. DaySmart does offer some marketing automation features that smaller platforms lack, but most grooming businesses will not use half of what they are paying for.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set — grooming, boarding, POS
- Marketing automation and email campaigns
- Long track record in the industry
- Decent reporting and analytics
Cons
- Most expensive option at $149+/mo
- Interface is complex and click-heavy
- SMS is an add-on
- Steep learning curve for staff
- No built-in payroll
- Forced payment processing
Best for: Grooming businesses that also run a retail operation (selling products in-store) and need point-of-sale integrated with their grooming calendar.
5. PetExec
$79+/mo
Starting at $79/month + per-feature add-ons
PetExec sits in the middle of the pack on pricing and features. It covers grooming, boarding, and daycare with a functional if unspectacular interface. The base price of $79/month looks attractive, but essential features like advanced reporting, SMS, and some integrations are add-ons. PetExec has a loyal user base, particularly among mid-size facilities that have been using it for years. The development pace has slowed compared to newer entrants, and the UI shows its age in places.
Pros
- Moderate base price at $79/mo
- Covers grooming, boarding, and daycare
- Stable platform with years of uptime
- Vaccination tracking and health records
Cons
- Add-ons increase the real cost significantly
- UI feels dated
- Slower development pace than competitors
- SMS and advanced features cost extra
- No built-in payroll
Best for: Mid-size facilities looking for a middle-ground option and who do not mind a slightly dated interface. Works if your needs are straightforward and you do not need payroll or advanced integrations.
The Verdict
If you are looking for the most value for your money in 2026, Animal Friends OS wins on price, feature completeness, and flexibility. At $45/month with unlimited staff, your own payment processor, included SMS, and built-in payroll, it costs less than any competitor while including more. Gingr is the safe legacy choice if budget is not a concern. MoeGo is solid for mobile-only groomers. DaySmart and PetExec serve specific niches but charge more for less flexibility.