Grooming Software Answers

How much does pet grooming software cost?

Dog grooming software costs between $9 and $239 per month in 2026. Groomer specific tools: GroomBoard $9 to $39 per month with 100 to 600 texts included, Groomsoft $29.95 to $39.90 with 100 free texts then prepaid packs, MoeGo $49 to $239 per van or location with texts capped by tier. Facility platforms such as Gingr run $109 to $179 plus setup fees. The monthly total is usually higher than the sticker price once text packs and setup fees are added.

Does dog grooming software work with Square?

Some grooming software integrates with Square and GroomBoard does not. GroomBoard has no Square connection: it does not read Square transactions, push appointments into Square, or settle payments through a Square account. Most groomers who use both keep Square at the counter for card payments and run bookings, pet records, and reminder texts in GroomBoard. Square Appointments on its own is $0, $49, or $149 per location per month and has no pet profiles.

Is there free dog grooming software?

Yes. As of September 2026, ShakeYourTail, Tuft, Doxford and Square Appointments each have a free plan that never expires, and Koalendar works as a free generic scheduler. Every one of them drops SMS reminders or caps your client list, and two tools that show up in "free grooming software" lists, GrooMore and Cuddles, only offer a trial. GroomBoard is not free: Starter is $9 a month with 100 texts included, after a 7 day trial with no card.

What software do dog groomers use?

Dog groomers use grooming specific business software to handle online booking, calendar scheduling, client and pet records, and automated SMS reminders. Common options include GroomBoard, MoeGo, Gingr, DaySmart Pet, and Groomsoft, and independent or mobile groomers often choose a lighter, flat priced tool like GroomBoard from $9/month.

Do dog groomers need insurance?

Yes, most working groomers carry general liability insurance plus pet care (animal bailee) coverage, and it is often required before you can rent salon space or get a business license. For an independent groomer, combined coverage typically runs in the range of $30 to $60 per month, though it varies by location, coverage limits, and claims history.

How do I reduce no show appointments at my grooming salon?

The most effective way to cut grooming no shows is automated SMS reminders sent 24 to 48 hours before each appointment, paired with a clear written cancellation policy and, for new or repeat offenders, a small deposit at booking. Salons that turn on text reminders commonly report a meaningful drop in missed appointments.

Can I run a dog grooming business from home?

Yes, in most areas you can run a dog grooming business from home, but you will usually need to check local zoning rules, register the business and get a license, and in some places obtain a home occupation permit. Many successful solo groomers start out of a converted garage, basement, or spare room before ever renting commercial space.

How much do dog groomers make?

Dog groomers in the U.S. typically earn roughly $35,000 to $60,000 a year as employees, while self employed and mobile groomers who own their client book often earn more, commonly $60,000 to $100,000+, depending on location, appointment volume, and pricing. Income is driven far more by how many dogs you groom and what you charge than by job title.

What is the best software for mobile dog groomers?

The best mobile grooming software keeps your schedule, client addresses, and SMS confirmations on your phone between stops, with no separate app to install and a public link clients can book from. GroomBoard is built for this, phone first scheduling, captured addresses, one tap texting, and a booking page, at a flat $19/month.

How long does it take to groom a dog?

A full dog groom usually takes between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the dog’s size, coat type, and condition. A small, smooth coated dog might take about an hour, while a large or heavily matted double coated dog can take 2 to 3 hours or more. Bath and tidy services are quicker; full haircuts and dematting take the longest.

Can I use GroomBoard on iPad?

Yes. GroomBoard runs in any modern browser on iPad, Safari or Chrome, and you can add it to your home screen so it opens full screen like a native app. Our phone app for groomers on the go is in open beta and installs from the browser too, with no App Store or Google Play listing yet.

Do clients need to download an app to book a grooming appointment?

No. With GroomBoard, clients book through a regular web link in any browser. There is no app to download and no account to create. They tap the booking page link, pick a service, choose a time, and confirm in under a minute.

How long does it take to set up grooming software?

Most groomers are taking real bookings within 15 minutes of signing up for GroomBoard. The setup is a 6 step wizard, business name, services, hours, booking page URL, optional SMS, optional payments, with no onboarding call required.

What happens to my data if I cancel my grooming software?

Your data is yours. Before cancelling GroomBoard, export your clients, pets, and appointment history as CSV from the Settings page in two clicks. After cancellation, your data is retained for 30 days in case you reactivate, then permanently deleted on day 31.

Does grooming software work offline?

Not in a meaningful way. GroomBoard, like every other modern cloud based grooming platform, requires an internet connection to sync the calendar, send SMS reminders, and process the booking page. A brief WiFi drop during the day is usually transparent because the dashboard caches the current view; longer outages mean the calendar cannot sync.

How much does MoeGo cost?

As of August 2026, MoeGo is priced at $49 (Basic), $99 (Growth), or $159 (Ultimate) per month per van for mobile groomers, and $79 to $239 per month per location for salons. Each tier bundles a capped SMS allotment (200 to 1,350 texts/month), and unlimited auto messaging is reserved for the top Ultimate tier. By comparison, GroomBoard is a flat $19/month (Solo) or $39/month (Salon) with SMS reminders included, 250 texts a month on Solo and 600 on Salon, and $5 packs of 100 if you need more.

How much does Gingr cost?

As of 2026, Gingr is priced from about $109/month for its Spa plan up to $179/month for its top Stay plan, and it commonly adds one time setup and onboarding fees on top. Gingr is built for full boarding and daycare facilities. A solo or small grooming business usually pays far less with GroomBoard, which is a flat $19/month (Solo) or $39/month (Salon) with SMS included and no setup fee.

Is MoeGo or GroomBoard cheaper?

For most solo and small salon groomers, GroomBoard is cheaper. GroomBoard is a flat $19/month (Solo) or $39/month (Salon) with SMS reminders included. MoeGo runs $49 to $159/month per van (mobile) or $79 to $239/month per location (salon) as of August 2026, with SMS capped at 200 to 1,350 texts/month by tier, so a realistic MoeGo total for a groomer who texts every client is usually $99 to $149/month or more.

What is the best Gingr alternative for groomers?

For independent and small salon groomers, the best Gingr alternative is grooming focused software rather than a boarding and daycare platform. GroomBoard gives you online booking, automated SMS reminders, pet profiles, and Stripe payments at a flat $19/month (Solo) or $39/month (Salon), with SMS included, no setup fee, and no onboarding call, versus Gingr at roughly $109 to $179/month built around facility management.

What is the best MoeGo alternative?

The best MoeGo alternative for most groomers is GroomBoard, especially if you want predictable, all in pricing. GroomBoard is a flat $19/month (Solo) or $39/month (Salon) with automated SMS reminders included, versus MoeGo at $49 to $159/month per van (mobile) or $79 to $239/month per location (salon), with SMS capped at 200 to 1,350 texts/month by tier. You get the core grooming workflow with a clear text allowance rather than per tier metering or tier creep.

How much does the Goldie app cost?

As of August 2026, Goldie has three plans: a free Starter plan capped at 20 appointments a month with reminders sent manually from your own phone, Pro at $19.99 per month with unlimited appointments, automated reminders, and 500 SMS credits a month, and Pro Plus at $39.99 per month with team calendars and 750 SMS credits. Annual billing saves about 20 percent. GroomBoard, built specifically for groomers, is $19 per month with SMS reminders included.

What is the best Goldie alternative for dog groomers?

For a dog groomer, the best Goldie alternative is software built for grooming rather than a general beauty scheduler. GroomBoard Solo costs $19 per month, almost exactly Goldie Pro's $19.99, and swaps generic booking for grooming tools: pet profiles with grooming history and vet records, multi pet household booking, an online booking page, and automated SMS reminders included up to 250 texts a month, with packs of 100 more for $5 a month.

What is the cheapest grooming software with SMS included?

GroomBoard is one of the cheapest grooming tools where SMS is genuinely included rather than billed separately: $19/month (Solo) or $39/month (Salon), flat, with automated text reminders and booking confirmations built in. Most competitors advertise a low base price but charge for texting as an add on or per message, which is where the real cost hides.

What is the best grooming software for solo groomers?

For solo groomers, the best grooming software is the one that covers booking, SMS reminders, pet profiles, and payments without enterprise bloat or per seat pricing. GroomBoard is built for exactly this at $19/month flat (Solo plan), with automated SMS included, a public booking page, and a 7 day free trial, no onboarding call and nothing to pay per groomer.

Does grooming software include SMS text reminders?

It depends on the tool. Many grooming platforms publish a low base price but sell automated SMS as a paid add on or per message package, so texting is not actually included. GroomBoard includes automated SMS appointment reminders and booking confirmations in every plan, up to a monthly allowance: 100 texts on Starter ($9/month), 250 on Solo ($19/month) and 600 on Salon ($39/month). Extra texts come in packs of 100 for $5 a month.

What is the best grooming salon software for a team of groomers?

The best grooming salon software gives each groomer their own calendar, lets clients pick their groomer when they book, includes SMS reminders, and does not charge per seat. GroomBoard's Salon plan covers up to five groomers for a flat $39 a month with 600 texts included. Most alternatives charge per groomer or sell texting separately, which makes a small team expensive fast.

Do I need grooming software or is a spreadsheet enough?

A spreadsheet can hold a client list and a rough schedule, but it cannot send automated SMS reminders, let clients book online, store pet history, or take card payments: the things that actually save time and reduce no shows. For most groomers past a handful of appointments a week, dedicated software like GroomBoard at $19/month pays for itself by recovering even one no show a month.

What is 10DLC and do dog groomers need it?

Yes. If you send appointment reminders or confirmations by text from a US business number, those messages fall under 10DLC, the carrier registration system for application to person SMS. Without it, business texts get filtered or blocked. The same rule covers grooming salons, mobile groomers, boarding kennels, daycares and every other pet business that texts clients. GroomBoard handles 10DLC registration and compliant sending on your behalf, so your reminders actually reach clients.

How much should I charge for dog grooming?

Most dog grooming full groom prices fall between roughly $40 and $120+, driven by breed and coat type, dog size, condition (matting adds time), your local market, and the service scope. The reliable way to price is to work backwards from the hourly income you need, then adjust per breed and for add ons, not to copy a flat number. A pricing calculator that factors breed and time makes this concrete.

How do I switch grooming software without losing my clients?

Switching grooming software is more straightforward than most groomers expect: export your client and pet list from your current tool, import the CSV into the new one, rebuild your services and hours, then point your booking link and social profiles at the new page. Active appointments are usually easiest to recreate as they come in rather than backfilling history. With GroomBoard, the import and setup path takes most groomers well under an hour.

What is the best grooming software for a new grooming business?

For a brand new grooming business, the best software is the cheapest tool that still gets you booked, reminds clients, and takes payment, without enterprise features you will not use in year one. GroomBoard fits this exactly: $19/month (Solo) with a public booking page that doubles as your first website, automated SMS reminders, and a 7 day free trial with no credit card.

Do dog groomers need a website?

Most dog groomers do not need a traditional separate website. What they actually need is a bookable, mobile friendly page that shows services and hours, ranks for their business name, and takes appointments, which a booking page provides. GroomBoard gives you a public booking page that doubles as your web presence, so clients can find you and book without you building or paying for a separate site.