What is the best Goldie alternative for dog groomers?
Updated
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.
Goldie, formerly Appointfix, is a capable appointment app, but it is built for hair, nail, lash, and beauty professionals; its own customer pages list barbers, hairstylists, and nail artists, not groomers. Many groomers start on it because the free plan is genuinely useful. The limits show up as the business grows: pet records are basic family style profiles, there is no vaccination tracking or groom history, and every appointment is a person rather than a household of dogs.
A grooming business eventually needs what a beauty scheduler does not carry: which blade was used last time, whether the vaccine record is current, notes on a nervous dog, three dogs from one family booked in one pass. That is the actual switching trigger, since Goldie Pro at $19.99 a month and grooming software like GroomBoard at $19 a month cost the same.
GroomBoard covers the grooming workflow end to end: an online booking page clients use without installing an app, automated SMS confirmations and reminders included in the flat price, per pet profiles with coat notes, history, and vet records, and Stripe payments. There is a 7 day free trial with no credit card, and setup takes about 15 minutes.
Try GroomBoard free for 7 days
Online booking page, SMS reminders, client and pet profiles, and Stripe payments, all in one place. No credit card required to start.
Related
Related questions
Why do groomers switch away from Goldie?
Is Goldie good for a dog groomer starting out?
Does GroomBoard cost more than Goldie?
Can clients book online with GroomBoard like with Goldie?
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 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.