Does grooming software include SMS text reminders?
Updated
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.
Automated SMS reminders are the single most effective way to cut no shows, text reminders 24 hours and a couple of hours before an appointment routinely reduce same day cancellations by roughly 30%. Because they are so valuable, many grooming platforms monetize them separately, through a paid add on, a capped tier, or a per message rate on top of the base plan.
That pricing structure is why two tools with similar sticker prices can have very different real costs. When you evaluate grooming software, the most important question is not "what is the base price" but "what does it cost with automated SMS turned on."
Here is how the major platforms handle it as of October 2026. MoeGo bundles a capped allotment into each tier (200 to 1,350 texts a month) and gates unlimited auto messaging to its top Ultimate tier. Groomsoft gives monthly plans 100 free text messages and sells more in prepaid packs at 3.5 to 10 cents per message, deducting both sent and received texts and pausing sends at a zero balance. Gingr sells texting as a separate add on. So on all three, a groomer who texts confirmations and reminders to every client pays more than the sticker price.
GroomBoard includes SMS reminders and confirmations in the monthly plan rather than charging for them separately, so the $19 or $39 you see is the price with texting working: 250 texts a month on Solo, 600 on Salon, and a pack of 100 more for $5 if you need it. Reminders send automatically from a carrier registered business number, and clients can reply STOP at any time. See how the reminders feature works below.
| Platform | Reminders included? | Texts per month | What extra texts cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| GroomBoard | Yes, on every plan | 100 (Starter), 250 (Solo), 600 (Salon) | $5 per pack of 100 |
| MoeGo | Yes, capped by tier | 200 on mobile Basic, up to 1,350 on higher salon tiers | Move up a tier; unlimited only on Ultimate |
| Groomsoft | Yes, 100 free | 100 on monthly plans, 500 with annual billing | Prepaid packs, 3.5 to 10 cents a text, sends pause at zero |
| DaySmart Pet | Yes, by tier | 500 (Basic) to 2,500 (Premium) | Two way texting and text marketing are add ons on lower tiers |
| Gingr | Add on | Sold separately | Add on subscription |
| Goldie | Paid plans only | 500 credits (Pro), 750 (Pro Plus); free plan sends from your own phone | Sold separately |
Read on each vendor's own pricing page on 16 October 2026.
How does MoeGo handle automated text and SMS reminders to reduce no shows and cancellations for grooming businesses?
MoeGo sends automated confirmations and reminders from within each plan's text allotment, and the allotment is the catch. As of October 2026 the entry mobile tier includes 200 texts a month, higher salon tiers go up to 1,350, and unlimited automated messaging is reserved for the Ultimate tier at $159 per van or $239 per location. Reminders can be timed before the appointment and clients can reply, and MoeGo also offers deposit and no show fee collection. A groomer who texts a confirmation and a reminder for every appointment usually outgrows the entry cap within the month and moves up a tier, which is why MoeGo's realistic monthly cost with reminders working is $99 to $149.
What commission management and SMS reminders does Groomsoft provide for grooming salon owners?
Groomsoft includes text reminders with a small free allowance and sells the rest prepaid, and it reports groomer commission from the appointment records. Monthly plans get 100 free texts, annual plans 500, and further texts come in prepaid packs from $10 for 100 down to 3.5 cents a message in bulk, counting both sent and received texts and pausing sends when the balance hits zero unless auto reload is on. Commission reporting is per groomer per service, which is the feature salon owners with two or three chairs use most. GroomBoard's Salon plan covers the same salon at $39 with 600 texts included and a commission calculator on the tools page.
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Related questions
How does MoeGo handle automated SMS reminders?
How does Groomsoft handle SMS reminders?
Why do reminders matter so much?
Does GroomBoard charge per text?
Can clients reply to the reminder texts?
More 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 October 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.