Best Free Pet Grooming Software

Starting a grooming business on a tight budget? Free software exists — but it comes with limitations.

This guide breaks down the genuinely free options available, what they can and can’t do, and when upgrading to paid software makes more sense.

The Truth About Free Software

Let’s be honest: truly free grooming software is limited.

Companies need revenue. So “free” usually means:

• Feature restrictions – Basic tools only
• Usage limits – Caps on appointments, clients, or messages
• Upgrade pressure – Frequent nudges to move to paid plans
• Missing grooming features – General tools, not industry-specific

That said, free tools can work for brand-new businesses testing the waters.

Free Options Overview

Square Appointments – Best Free Tier

Price: Free for individuals
Paid Plans: $29–65/month for teams

If you already use Square for payments, Square Appointments offers the most functional free tier for solo groomers.

What’s Included (Free)

• Appointment scheduling
• Client database
• Online booking page
• Square payment integration
• Mobile app
• Unlimited appointments (1 staff member)

What’s Not Included

• Team calendars
• SMS reminders (paid add-on)
• Advanced reporting
• Multi-staff management

Pros

• Truly free for solo groomers
• Seamless Square integration
• Online booking included
• Easy mobile access

Cons

• Not grooming-specific
• No pet profiles
• No built-in SMS reminders
• Limited customization

Best For

Solo groomers already using Square who need basic scheduling without monthly costs.

Google Calendar + Google Sheets – Free Forever

Price: Free
Limitation: Manual everything

This is the DIY approach: Google Calendar for scheduling and Google Sheets for client records.

What’s Included

• Calendar scheduling
• Spreadsheet client tracking
• Email reminders (manual)
• Cloud access

What’s Not Included

• Automation
• SMS reminders
• Online booking
• Grooming-specific features

Pros

• Completely free
• Full control
• No subscription
• Familiar tools

Cons

• Time-consuming
• Easy to make mistakes
• Unprofessional booking experience
• No pet-specific tracking

Best For

Very new groomers with minimal clients and zero budget.

Calendly Free – Basic Booking Only

Price: Free
Paid Plans: $10–16/month

Calendly is simple scheduling software. It’s not grooming-specific, but it works for very basic booking needs.

What’s Included (Free)

• 1 calendar connection
• Online booking link
• Unlimited appointments
• Email notifications

What’s Not Included

• SMS reminders
• Team features
• Multiple calendars
• Pet/client management tools

Pros

• Professional booking page
• Easy setup
• Clean user experience

Cons

• No grooming features
• No pet profiles
• No SMS (major drawback)
• Limited flexibility

Best For

Groomers who only need simple online scheduling.

Setmore Free – Limited Scheduling

Price: Free
Paid Plans: $9–59/month

Setmore offers a free tier that supports small teams.

What’s Included

• Up to 4 staff members
• 200 appointments
• Online booking
• Staff calendar
• Mobile app

What’s Not Included

• SMS reminders
• Payment integration
• Advanced calendar sync
• Higher appointment limits

Pros

• Allows multiple staff
• Mobile access
• Basic scheduling included

Cons

• 200-appointment cap
• No SMS
• Not grooming-specific
• Limited customization

Best For

Small teams testing scheduling software before upgrading.

What Free Software Lacks

SMS Reminders

No-shows reduce profit quickly. SMS reminders reduce no-shows by 30–50%.

Most free tools either lack SMS entirely or charge extra for it.

Pet Profiles

General software doesn’t understand grooming needs:

• No breed tracking
• No grooming history
• No temperament notes
• No pet-specific fields

Grooming-Specific Tools

• Service duration controls
• Grooming notes
• Vaccination tracking
• Photo storage
• Industry reporting

Professional Experience

Free tools often look basic. Clients notice when booking feels outdated.

When Free Software Makes Sense

Free tools can work if:

• You’re testing the business
• You have fewer than 10 clients
• You have zero budget
• You only need a calendar

When to Upgrade to Paid Software

Upgrade when:

• No-shows are costing you money
• Admin time is overwhelming
• You’re losing track of details
• Growth requires better systems
• You want a more professional experience

The Math

If paid software prevents just one $75 no-show per month, it pays for itself.

Most groomers see the value within their first month.

Budget Paid Alternatives

If free tools aren’t enough, here are affordable paid options:

At $29–49/month, you’re paying roughly $1–1.50 per day for professional tools.

DIY Free Setup (If You Must)

If you’re committed to staying free, here’s how to structure it.

Tools

1. Google Calendar – Scheduling
2. Google Sheets – Client and pet database
3. Square – Payments
4. Email – Communication

Basic Setup

• Color-code appointments in Google Calendar
• Build spreadsheet columns: Client name, phone, email, pet name, breed, notes, last visit, next due
• Set up Square for payments
• Manually send reminder emails the day before

Workflow

1. Client contacts you
2. You check availability
3. Add appointment manually
4. Update spreadsheet
5. Send reminder email
6. Complete service
7. Process payment
8. Update visit date

It works — but you’ll spend significant time managing it.

One-Time Purchase Alternative

PetLinx – $299 One-Time

For groomers who dislike subscriptions, PetLinx offers a one-time purchase model.

What You Get

• Scheduling software
• Client and pet management
• No recurring fees

What You Lose

• Cloud access
• Mobile access
• Automatic updates
• SMS messaging

In 2026, lack of cloud and mobile access can be limiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There Completely Free Grooming Software?

Not specifically built for grooming. Square Appointments’ free tier is the closest option. Otherwise, you’ll rely on general tools like Google Calendar and spreadsheets.

What’s the Cheapest Option with SMS?

Teddy includes unlimited SMS at competitive pricing. Other platforms often charge per message on top of monthly fees.

Can I Start Free and Upgrade Later?

Yes. Many groomers start free and switch once growth demands better systems.

How Much Do No-Shows Cost?

At $75 per appointment, two no-shows per month equals $150 lost. Paid software with SMS reminders typically reduces no-shows by 30–50%.

Is Free Software Secure?

Major platforms like Square and Google are secure. Avoid obscure free tools without clear privacy policies.

Our Recommendation

If You Truly Can’t Afford Paid Software

Start with Square Appointments (free tier) for scheduling and payments. Use Google Sheets for pet tracking. Upgrade when possible.

If You Can Afford $29–49/Month

Skip free tools. The time saved and no-shows prevented make paid software worthwhile from day one.

Best Value Upgrade

Teddy with competitive pricing stands out because unlimited SMS reminders reduce no-shows — often covering the cost difference immediately.

Free software can help you start. Professional software helps you grow.