DaySmart Pet has been around a long time. The question many longtime customers ask: is the platform getting better, or just more expensive?
Four reasons we hear most often. None of these are knocks on DaySmart Pet as a product — they reflect different business priorities.
DaySmart's tiered plans cap users (1, 3, 3, or 6 depending on tier) and charge $9 per additional user. We charge $0 per user. Check the DaySmart pricing page to verify your current tier.
DaySmart adds $10/month at every tier if you do not use their payments processor. We do not penalize you for using your own.
DaySmart treats boarding, daycare, and training as add-on calendars or higher-tier features. Our $45/month includes everything.
You reach the operator who built the system. Most operator questions get answered same business day. Many longtime DaySmart users mention reduced human support in recent reviews.
We do not quote competitor prices because they change. Click through to DaySmart Pet’s public pricing page if you want to verify your specific tier.
| Dimension | DaySmart Pet | Animal Friends OS |
|---|---|---|
| Price model | Tiered — verify | Flat $45/mo |
| Per-user fees | Varies by tier | $0 — unlimited staff |
| Payment processor lock-in | Varies — verify on pricing page | No — bring your own |
| SMS provider lock-in | Varies — verify on pricing page | No — bring your own (Twilio, etc.) |
| Contract length | Verify on pricing page | Month-to-month, cancel anytime |
| Data migration cost | Verify on pricing page | Included free |
| Onboarding | Verify on pricing page | White-glove, included free |
| QuickBooks integration | Verify on pricing page | Two-way sync, included |
| Built-in payroll | Verify on pricing page | Included with tips and commission |
| REST API + webhooks | Verify on pricing page | Included at base tier |
| Website builder | Verify on pricing page | $175 one-time setup, then included |
| Live cameras integration | Verify on pricing page | Included (iDogCam and others) |
See DaySmart Pet pricing for current tiers. The DaySmart savings calculator models your true monthly cost (sticker + per-user + add-on calendars + payments surcharge) against our flat $45.
Honest list. DaySmart Pet is the better choice when:
Public reviews on Capterra and Software Advice include feedback worth reading before making the call.
We migrate your data, configure your account, and train your team. You approve before go-live.
| What we migrate | Clients, pets, vaccination records, appointment history, service pricing, staff accounts |
| What we need from you | A CSV export from DaySmart Pet (or whatever export they support — we work with what you have) |
| Day 1–2 | Kickoff call. We import data and configure services, pricing, staff roles, SMS templates, QuickBooks. |
| Day 3–4 | Live training session with your team. 45–60 minutes. Most staff are confident after one session. |
| Day 5 | Go-live. We stay available all week. Direct access to the operator who built the system. |
15 minutes. No pitch deck. We walk through your specific operation and show you exactly how Animal Friends OS handles it.
14-day free trial. No credit card. White-glove onboarding included for every facility. Built by an operator with 13+ years of hands-on experience running a pet care facility.