The 5 Best Pet Daycare Software Platforms in 2026
Daycare software needs to handle rapid-fire check-ins during the morning rush, keep track of who is in which playgroup, manage package balances for recurring clients, and let pet parents know their dog is doing great — all without slowing down your front desk staff.
1. Animal Friends OS
Best Overall
$45/month flat — daycare, grooming, boarding, training all included
Animal Friends OS handles daycare the way it should be handled — fast check-ins, playgroup assignments by size and temperament, daily capacity limits, and automated notifications to pet parents when their dog is checked in and out. The system tracks recurring daycare clients with package balances so you can sell 10-day or 20-day passes and the system automatically decrements when they check in. Vaccination records are verified at check-in so you never accidentally let an unvaccinated dog into the playroom. The attendance view shows you exactly who is in the building at any moment, organized by playgroup, with notes for feeding, medication, and behavioral flags. At $45/month with unlimited staff, it is by far the most affordable option that includes a complete daycare management system alongside grooming, boarding, and training.
Pros
- $45/month flat — no per-dog or per-staff fees
- Fast check-in/check-out workflow for the morning rush
- Playgroup management by size and temperament
- Package/pass tracking with auto-decrement
- Vaccination verification at check-in
- Automated SMS notifications for parents
- Grooming, boarding, and training all included
- Use your own payment processor
- Built-in payroll for daycare staff
Cons
- Newer platform — still building brand recognition
- No native mobile app yet (responsive web app works on all devices)
- Smaller third-party integration ecosystem
Best for: Daycare facilities of any size, especially those that also offer grooming or boarding. The flat pricing means your cost stays the same whether you have 20 or 80 dogs per day.
2. Gingr
$125+/mo
Starting at $125/month + per-staff fees
Gingr is a well-established platform that handles daycare, boarding, and grooming. The daycare check-in process is streamlined, and the platform supports playgroup management and capacity tracking. Gingr's report card feature is popular with pet parents — staff can quickly send a photo and a note about how a dog did that day. The main drawback is pricing. At $125+/month before per-staff fees and SMS add-ons, a busy daycare with 5 to 8 staff members can easily spend $200/month or more. The forced payment processing means Gingr also takes a cut of every daycare payment you collect.
Pros
- Mature daycare management with proven reliability
- Report cards with photos for pet parents
- Strong package and pass management
- Large user community
- Multi-location support
Cons
- $125+/mo plus per-staff fees
- Forced payment processing
- SMS costs extra
- No built-in payroll
- Per-staff pricing punishes larger teams
Best for: Established daycare facilities with large budgets that value platform maturity and do not mind paying premium prices.
3. DaySmart Pet
$149+/mo
$149+/month for the plan that includes daycare
DaySmart Pet has historically been a grooming-first platform, but its higher-tier plans include daycare and boarding management. The daycare features are functional — attendance tracking, basic capacity management, and client communication. Where DaySmart adds value for daycare operations is in its marketing tools. Automated email campaigns for lapsed daycare clients and package renewal reminders can help with client retention. The downside is that you are paying the highest price on this list for a platform where daycare is not the primary focus. The interface can feel overwhelming for front desk staff who just need to check dogs in and out quickly.
Pros
- Marketing automation for client retention
- Package renewal reminders
- Integrated retail POS if you sell products
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics
Cons
- Most expensive option at $149+/mo
- Daycare features are secondary to grooming
- Complex interface — slow for quick check-ins
- SMS is an add-on
- No built-in payroll
- Forced payment processing
Best for: Daycare facilities that also sell retail products and want marketing automation. Overkill if you just need solid daycare management.
4. Time To Pet
$99+/mo
Starting at $99/month
Time To Pet started as a pet sitting and dog walking platform and has expanded into daycare management. Its strength is in the client communication and scheduling workflows. The platform excels at managing recurring daycare schedules — setting up a dog for every Tuesday and Thursday, tracking credits, and sending automated reminders. The mobile app for staff is well-designed for on-the-go check-ins. However, Time To Pet's boarding and grooming features are weaker than platforms that were built for multi-service facilities from the start. If you only do daycare and maybe pet sitting, it is a solid option. If you also do grooming and boarding, you will hit its limitations.
Pros
- Excellent recurring schedule management
- Strong mobile app for staff
- Good client communication tools
- GPS tracking for dog walking staff
- Intuitive interface
Cons
- Boarding and grooming features are basic
- $99+/mo — not cheap for a focused platform
- Built for pet sitting first, daycare second
- No built-in payroll
- Limited kennel/facility management
Best for: Daycare-only businesses or combined daycare + pet sitting/dog walking operations. Less suitable for multi-service facilities.
5. PetExec
$79+/mo
Starting at $79/month + add-ons
PetExec has been a reliable daycare management platform for years. The check-in/check-out workflow is straightforward, the attendance tracking works, and the vaccination management keeps your facility compliant. PetExec's pricing advantage at $79/month base makes it tempting, but as with most legacy platforms, the add-ons for SMS, advanced reporting, and premium features erode that advantage. The interface has not received a major update in some time, but it is stable and your staff will not encounter many bugs. For small to mid-size daycares with simple needs, PetExec gets the job done.
Pros
- Lower base price at $79/mo
- Reliable and stable platform
- Good vaccination management
- Covers daycare, boarding, and basic grooming
Cons
- Real cost climbs with add-ons
- Interface looks dated
- Slower feature development
- No built-in payroll
- Limited playgroup management compared to newer platforms
Best for: Small to mid-size daycares with straightforward needs and tight budgets. Works if you do not need advanced playgroup management or modern UI.
The Verdict
For daycare management in 2026, Animal Friends OS delivers the best value by a wide margin. At $45/month with attendance tracking, playgroup management, package passes, automated SMS, and full boarding/grooming/training modules included, it costs less than every competitor while doing more. Gingr is the premium legacy choice. Time To Pet is strong for daycare + pet sitting combos. DaySmart and PetExec fill specific niches but charge more for less daycare-specific functionality.