The 5 Best Pet Boarding Software Platforms in 2026
Boarding software needs to do more than just track which dog is in which kennel. It needs to handle the operational chaos of a busy boarding facility — feeding schedules at specific times, medications that cannot be missed, vaccination records that must be verified before check-in, and owners who expect real-time updates. Here is how the top five platforms handle all of that.
1. Animal Friends OS
Best Overall
$45/month flat — boarding, grooming, daycare, training all included
Animal Friends OS treats boarding as a first-class module, not an afterthought. The kennel grid gives you a visual map of your entire facility — which runs are occupied, which are being cleaned, and which are available for today's check-ins. Each boarding reservation includes fields for feeding instructions (brand, amount, frequency), medications (name, dosage, time), special needs, and emergency vet contacts. Staff see exactly what needs to happen for each dog at each feeding time. Vaccination tracking is integrated so the system flags expired vaccines before check-in, not after. The iDogCam integration lets pet parents watch a live stream of the boarding area, which dramatically reduces the "is my dog okay?" phone calls that eat up your staff's time. And at $45/month with unlimited staff accounts, it costs a fraction of what the legacy platforms charge.
Pros
- $45/month flat — no per-kennel, per-staff, or per-pet fees
- Visual kennel grid with real-time occupancy
- Feeding and medication schedule tracking per pet
- iDogCam live camera integration for pet parents
- Use your own payment processor
- Automated SMS check-in/check-out notifications
- Online boarding reservations with vaccination verification
- Built-in payroll for boarding staff
- Grooming, daycare, and training modules included
Cons
- Newer platform with a smaller user community
- No native mobile app yet (responsive web works on tablets and phones)
- Camera integration currently limited to iDogCam brand
Best for: Boarding facilities of any size, especially those that also offer grooming or daycare. The flat pricing and unlimited staff accounts make it the obvious choice for kennels with multiple employees.
2. Gingr
$125+/mo
Starting at $125/month + per-staff fees
Gingr has long been the go-to platform for boarding facilities. Its kennel management features are mature and well-tested. The reservation system handles multi-night stays, capacity limits, and holiday surcharges. The report card feature lets you send pet parents photos and updates during their dog's stay, which is a nice touch. Where Gingr falls short is cost — the base subscription is $125+/month, per-staff fees add up quickly for facilities with 5+ employees, and you are locked into their payment processing. For a busy boarding facility, the total cost often exceeds $200/month.
Pros
- Mature boarding and kennel management features
- Report card system for pet parent updates
- Large user community and extensive documentation
- Multi-night stay management with holiday pricing
- Capacity and overbooking controls
Cons
- $125+/mo before per-staff fees and add-ons
- Forced payment processing takes a cut of revenue
- SMS is an additional cost
- No built-in payroll
- Interface is functional but dated
Best for: Large, established boarding facilities with big budgets who want a proven platform and do not mind paying premium prices for it.
3. ProPet Software
$100+/mo
Starting at $100/month for boarding features
ProPet is a Canadian platform that has quietly built a loyal following among boarding facilities. It has a clean kennel view, decent reservation management, and good reporting. ProPet stands out with its client communication features — automated emails with photos and updates during boarding stays. The platform handles multi-service facilities reasonably well, though the pricing climbs as you add modules and staff. It is a solid mid-range option for boarding-focused businesses that do not need the deepest feature set.
Pros
- Clean, intuitive kennel management interface
- Good automated client communications
- Photo sharing during boarding stays
- Reasonable mid-range pricing
- Canadian company with good international support
Cons
- Pricing increases with modules and staff count
- Smaller ecosystem than Gingr
- No built-in payroll
- Limited camera integration options
- SMS capabilities are more limited than competitors
Best for: Mid-size boarding facilities that want a clean interface without the complexity or cost of Gingr. Works well for facilities in Canada or those with international client bases.
4. DaySmart Pet
$149+/mo
$149+/month for the boarding-capable plan
DaySmart Pet offers boarding management as part of its higher-tier plans. The platform covers the basics — kennel assignments, reservation management, and check-in/check-out workflows. Where DaySmart adds value is in its marketing automation and retail POS features. If you sell pet food, treats, or accessories alongside your boarding business, DaySmart can handle both under one roof. The downside is the price tag and complexity. You are paying $149+ per month for software that tries to do everything, and the boarding-specific features are not as deep as platforms that specialize in boarding.
Pros
- Integrated retail POS for product sales
- Marketing automation for client retention
- Long track record and industry reputation
- Comprehensive reporting
Cons
- Most expensive option on this list
- Boarding is not the primary focus — grooming-first platform
- Complex interface with steep learning curve
- SMS is an add-on cost
- No built-in payroll
- Forced payment processing
Best for: Boarding facilities that also sell retail products and need point-of-sale alongside their boarding management. Overkill for boarding-only operations.
5. PetExec
$79+/mo
Starting at $79/month + add-ons
PetExec rounds out the list as a budget-friendly option with decent boarding capabilities. The kennel management is straightforward, the reservation system works, and vaccination tracking is included. PetExec has been around long enough to be stable and reliable, which counts for something in a category where uptime matters — you cannot afford your boarding software to crash on a busy holiday weekend. The trade-off is that PetExec's development has slowed, the UI has not been significantly updated in years, and advanced features require add-on purchases that erode the price advantage.
Pros
- Lower base price than Gingr or DaySmart
- Reliable platform with good uptime history
- Covers boarding, daycare, and grooming basics
- Vaccination tracking included
Cons
- Real cost is higher once add-ons are included
- Dated user interface
- Development pace has slowed significantly
- No built-in payroll
- Limited camera or live-stream integration
Best for: Small boarding facilities on a tight budget who need the basics and do not need advanced integrations or a modern UI.
The Verdict
For boarding facilities in 2026, Animal Friends OS offers the strongest combination of features and value. The kennel grid, feeding and medication tracking, camera integration, and flat $45/month pricing make it the clear winner for any boarding business watching its margins. Gingr remains a safe choice for large operations that can absorb the cost. ProPet is a good middle ground. DaySmart makes sense only if you also need retail POS. PetExec works for small, budget-constrained operations with simple needs.