How much does pet grooming software cost?
Updated
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.
Grooming software is usually priced one of three ways: a flat monthly fee, a per groomer seat fee that scales with your team, or a low base price with paid add ons (most commonly SMS texting, online booking, or payment processing). The sticker price you see on a pricing page is often not the real price, because texting, the feature most groomers actually want, is frequently billed separately by the message or in packs.
For an independent or solo groomer, the practical market range in 2026 is roughly $20 to $50 per month for an all in tool. Larger salons with multiple groomers and add ons can land anywhere from $75 to $200+ per month once seats and texting are included. The wide spread comes almost entirely from seat counts and whether SMS is bundled or metered.
GroomBoard keeps it deliberately simple: $9/month for Starter (a digital appointment book for one groomer), $19/month for Solo, and $39/month for Salon (up to five groomers), with automated SMS reminders included rather than metered. There is a 7 day free trial with no credit card required, no onboarding fee, and no annual contract. For a side by side look at how that compares to specific competitors, see the comparison pages below.
| Vendor | Monthly price | Billed per | Texts included | Extra texts | Setup fee | Built for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GroomBoard | $9, $19, or $39 | Business (Salon covers up to 5 groomers) | 100, 250, or 600 a month | $5 per pack of 100 | None | Independent groomers and salons of 1 to 5 groomers |
| Groomsoft | $29.95 (shops) or $39.90 (mobile) | Business | 100 on monthly plans | Prepaid packs, 3.5 to 10 cents a text | None | Grooming shops and mobile groomers |
| MoeGo | $49 to $159 (mobile), $79 to $239 (salon) | Van or location | 200 to 1,350 a month by tier | Move up a tier | Not published | Grooming salons and mobile fleets |
| Goldie | Free, $19.99, or $39.99 | User | 0 (manual), 500, or 750 credits | Sold separately | None | Beauty and personal service appointments |
| DaySmart Pet | $29 to $199 | Business | 500 to 2,500 a month by tier | Add on | Not published | Grooming, boarding, and daycare |
| Gingr | $109 to $179 | Location | Sold as an add on | Add on | One time fee | Boarding and daycare facilities |
| Square Appointments | Free, $49, or $149 | Location | Reminders included | Not applicable | None | General appointment booking, no pet records |
| PetExec | Not published (directories list about $105) | Facility | Not published | Not published | Not published | Boarding and daycare facilities |
Prices read on the vendors' own pricing pages on 16 October 2026. PetExec publishes no pricing; about $105 is the starting price software directories list.
Why is the monthly total usually higher than the sticker price?
Because the reminder text is sold separately more often than not. Gingr sells texting as an add on, Groomsoft sells it in prepaid packs after the first 100, and MoeGo caps it by tier so a groomer who texts every client climbs from the $49 entry plan to the $99 or $149 tier. Setup fees are the other gap: Gingr lists a one time setup fee, and MoeGo and DaySmart Pet do not publish one either way.
The honest comparison is the price with automated reminders switched on at your real volume. A solo groomer doing five dogs a day sends roughly 200 to 250 texts a month for confirmations and day before reminders, which is why GroomBoard Solo carries 250.
Which pet grooming platforms avoid hidden costs and long implementation?
The tools with no setup fee, no onboarding call, and a published text allowance: GroomBoard, Groomsoft, and Goldie all fit that description, and all three set up self serve in an afternoon. Gingr and PetExec are facility platforms with onboarding programs, and MoeGo publishes tier prices but not a setup fee. If a vendor will not put the number on the page, budget for a call before you learn it.
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More answers
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.
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.