Does dog grooming software work with Square?
Updated
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.
Square is two things to a groomer: a card reader with processing, and Square Appointments, a general booking tool. The card reader is the part almost nobody wants to give up, and it does not need grooming software to keep working. Square Appointments is the part groomers outgrow, because it books a service to a customer and stores nothing about the animal: no breed, coat condition, blade length, shampoo note, vaccination expiry, or bite history.
GroomBoard covers the grooming side and leaves the counter alone. It holds the appointment book, the public booking page, the client and pet records, and the automated confirmation and reminder texts. It also takes booking deposits and no-show fees through Stripe, which is a different job from ringing up a groom at pickup. The honest cost of running both is that revenue reporting lives in Square and the grooming records live in GroomBoard, so there is no single combined view.
If a live Square integration is a hard requirement, GroomBoard is the wrong tool and you should shortlist software that lists Square on its integrations page. If what you actually need is to keep taking cards on the reader you already own while the book, the pet notes, and the reminders move somewhere built for grooming, the two run side by side with no connection needed.
| What you need | Square Appointments | GroomBoard |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Free, $49, or $149 per location | $9, $19, or $39 per business |
| Card reader and in person payments | Yes, with processing from 2.6% plus 15 cents | No. Keep Square or another reader at the counter |
| Online booking page | Yes | Yes |
| Appointment reminders | Yes | Yes, 100 to 600 texts a month by plan, carrier registered |
| Pet profiles and grooming history | No | Yes: breed, coat notes, blade sizes, before and after photos |
| Vaccination records with expiry alerts | No | Yes |
| Multi-pet household booking | No | Yes, up to 6 pets in one booking |
| Booking deposits and no-show fees | Yes, through Square | Yes, through your own Stripe account |
| Integration between the two | None | None |
Square prices and processing rates read on squareup.com on 31 August 2026. Square changes plans periodically, so confirm on their pricing page before deciding.
How do groomers use Square and GroomBoard together?
The client books on the GroomBoard booking page or the groomer adds the appointment to the calendar. GroomBoard texts the confirmation and the day before reminder. At pickup the groomer rings up the groom on the Square reader exactly as before. The pet's notes, photos, and next due date stay on the pet's file in GroomBoard. Nothing syncs between the two, and nothing needs to.
What do I lose by staying on Square Appointments alone?
The animal. Square books a service to a customer, so the breed, the coat condition, the blade you used last time, the shampoo that did not irritate the skin, the vaccination expiry, and the note that this dog has bitten before all live in your head or a paper book. Groomers usually notice this the first time a second groomer covers a regular. The booking and the money side of Square are fine; the grooming record is what is missing.
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Related
Related questions
Does GroomBoard integrate with Square?
Can I keep my Square card reader if I switch to GroomBoard?
Is Square Appointments free for a groomer?
How do I move my client list out of Square?
Which grooming software does integrate with Square?
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.
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.