Best Gingr Alternatives for Pet Groomers [2026]

Best Gingr Alternatives for Pet Groomers [2026]

Gingr has been a household name in pet care software for years, and it earned that reputation for a reason. It handles boarding, daycare, and grooming under one roof, and larger facilities rely on it every day.

But if you run a grooming-focused business, you may have noticed something: Gingr was not really built with you in mind. The interface can feel dated, SMS messaging costs extra, and if you are a solo groomer or small team, you are paying for boarding and daycare features you will never touch.

This guide covers the seven best Gingr alternatives for pet groomers in 2026, evaluated on what actually matters: scheduling, client communication, ease of use, and value for money.

Quick Comparison Table

Teddy

• Best For: Solo/small grooming teams
• Starting Price: Flat monthly rate
• SMS Included: Unlimited
• Online Booking: Yes (request-based)
• Ease of Setup: Very easy

MoeGo

• Best For: Established multi-groomer salons
• Starting Price: $69/mo
• SMS Included: Limited (paid add-on)
• Online Booking: Yes
• Ease of Setup: Moderate

DaySmart (123Pet)

• Best For: Full-service salons
• Starting Price: $29/mo
• SMS Included: Add-on
• Online Booking: Yes
• Ease of Setup: Moderate

GroomPro POS

• Best For: In-salon point-of-sale focused
• Starting Price: $79/mo
• SMS Included: No
• Online Booking: Limited
• Ease of Setup: Moderate

PetExec

• Best For: Boarding + grooming combos
• Starting Price: $99/mo
• SMS Included: Add-on
• Online Booking: Yes
• Ease of Setup: Slow

Pawfinity

• Best For: Budget-conscious groomers
• Starting Price: $39/mo
• SMS Included: Limited
• Online Booking: Yes
• Ease of Setup: Easy

Square Appointments

• Best For: Groomers who want free scheduling
• Starting Price: Free (basic)
• SMS Included: No
• Online Booking: Yes
• Ease of Setup: Very easy

Why Groomers Are Looking for Gingr Alternatives

Before we get into recommendations, here are the common reasons groomers move on from Gingr:

• Built for boarding and daycare first. Grooming features exist, but they are not the priority. You end up navigating around tools you do not need.
• Dated interface. The UI has not kept up with modern software. Simple tasks can take more clicks than they should.
• Slow onboarding. Getting fully set up on Gingr is not a weekend project. Some groomers report weeks of configuration.
• SMS costs extra. Gingr charges per message or requires an add-on for text messaging.
• Pricing tiers lock key features. The Essential plan at $99/month is steep for a solo groomer, and advanced features sit behind higher tiers.
• Not intuitive for small operations. If it is just you and your clippers, Gingr can feel like overkill.

None of this means Gingr is bad software. For a large boarding facility with a grooming wing, it is a solid choice. But for grooming-focused businesses, there are better fits.

1. Teddy - Best for Independent Groomers and Small Teams

Price: Flat monthly rate (unlimited SMS included) Best for: Solo groomers and teams of 1-5 who want modern software without the bloat Website: tryteddy.com

Teddy was built from the ground up for pet groomers, not pet boarding facilities that also happen to offer grooming. That distinction matters when you sit down and actually use it.

The platform covers everything a grooming business needs: calendar scheduling, client management with pet profiles, online booking, automated reminders, digital intake forms, and a CRM. What stands out is that SMS messaging is unlimited and included. No per-message charges, no add-on fees.

Key Differentiator vs Gingr

Where Gingr spreads its attention across boarding, daycare, training, and grooming, Teddy focuses entirely on the grooming workflow. The interface is clean and modern, and most groomers can be up and running in a day rather than weeks.

Pros

• Unlimited SMS messaging included at no extra cost
• Clean, modern interface that is easy to learn
• Request-based online booking gives you control over your schedule
• Digital intake forms and service agreements built in
• Square POS integration for seamless payments
• AI receptionist handles calls when you are grooming
• Flat monthly rate with no per-user fees

Cons

• No boarding or daycare management features
• Newer platform, so the user community is still growing
• Not suited for large multi-location operations

Best For

Independent groomers and small teams who want affordable, grooming-specific software with unlimited client messaging.

2. MoeGo - Best for Established Multi-Groomer Salons

Price: Starting at $69/month Best for: Salons with 2+ groomers who want a feature-rich platform Website: moego.pet

MoeGo has quickly become one of the most popular grooming software platforms. It covers scheduling, payments, marketing, and route optimization for mobile groomers, with a well-designed mobile app and frequent updates.

Key Differentiator vs Gingr

MoeGo is modern where Gingr feels dated. The user experience is significantly smoother, and it is clearly designed with groomers as the primary audience. You get a polished platform without the boarding and daycare overhead.

Pros

• Comprehensive feature set covering scheduling, payments, and marketing
• Strong mobile app for managing your business on the go
• Route optimization for mobile grooming businesses
• Active user community with responsive support
• Regular feature updates and improvements

Cons

• SMS messaging costs extra and can add up fast
• Higher price point may be more than solo groomers need
• Learning curve is steeper than simpler options
• Some advanced features require higher-tier plans

Best For

Established salons with multiple groomers who need robust scheduling and business management. MoeGo is a strong Gingr alternative if you want a full-featured platform and do not mind paying for it.

3. DaySmart (formerly 123Pet) - Best for Full-Service Salons

Price: Starting at $29/month Best for: Salons offering grooming alongside retail or other pet services Website: daysmart.com

DaySmart (formerly 123Pet) offers a solid, well-tested platform with scheduling, point-of-sale, inventory management, and customer communication tools. The lower starting price makes it accessible for businesses watching their budget.

Key Differentiator vs Gingr

DaySmart gives you a more affordable entry point and a broader focus on salon operations including retail and inventory. While Gingr leans toward boarding facilities, DaySmart leans toward salon-style businesses.

Pros

• Lower entry price compared to Gingr
• Strong point-of-sale and inventory management
• Appointment book is proven and reliable
• Client history and pet records are detailed
• Retail and product sales tracking built in

Cons

• Interface feels dated, similar to Gingr in some areas
• SMS and marketing features require paid add-ons
• Customer support response times can be slow
• Mobile app has mixed reviews
• Some features feel stuck in the desktop software era

Best For

Full-service salons that sell retail products alongside grooming services. If you want a more modern feel, newer options like Teddy or MoeGo will be more satisfying to use daily.

4. GroomPro POS - Best for In-Salon Point-of-Sale Needs

Price: Starting at $79/month Best for: Brick-and-mortar salons focused on checkout and payments Website: groompro.com

GroomPro POS is built around the point-of-sale experience for grooming salons. If your biggest frustration with Gingr is the checkout and payment workflow, GroomPro focuses on making that part seamless.

Key Differentiator vs Gingr

GroomPro puts the payment and checkout experience at the center rather than treating it as one feature among many. For salons where the front desk workflow matters most, it is a better fit than Gingr's broader approach.

Pros

• Purpose-built POS system for grooming salons
• Strong checkout and payment processing workflows
• Commission and tip tracking for staff
• Service package and bundle management
• Appointment scheduling integrated with checkout

Cons

• Limited online booking capabilities
• No built-in SMS or messaging tools
• Higher price point for what is primarily a POS system
• Less focused on client communication than other options
• Not ideal for mobile groomers

Best For

Brick-and-mortar salons where the point-of-sale experience is the top priority. You may need to supplement it with other tools for client communication.

5. PetExec - Best for Boarding + Grooming Combo Businesses

Price: Starting at $99/month Best for: Facilities that genuinely need boarding and grooming in one system Website: petexec.net

If you actually need boarding and grooming management together, PetExec is a legitimate Gingr alternative. It covers reservations, kennel management, grooming scheduling, and customer portals.

Key Differentiator vs Gingr

PetExec offers a similar feature scope to Gingr but with better customer support. The customer portal is a standout, letting pet owners manage bookings and update information independently.

Pros

• Handles boarding and grooming together effectively
• Customer self-service portal is well designed
• Vaccination tracking and health record management
• Good reporting tools for multi-service businesses
• Established platform with a stable track record

Cons

• Similar price range to Gingr, so no savings
• Still built for boarding-first businesses
• Interface is functional but not modern
• SMS is an add-on cost, like Gingr
• Setup and onboarding is still time-consuming

Best For

Businesses that genuinely need boarding and grooming under one roof. If you are grooming-only, the boarding features will feel just as unnecessary as they did in Gingr.

6. Pawfinity - Best for Budget-Conscious Groomers

Price: Starting at $39/month Best for: Solo groomers and startups looking for affordable software Website: pawfinity.com

Pawfinity is a simpler, more affordable option for pet care businesses. It covers the basics: scheduling, client management, online booking, and invoicing.

Key Differentiator vs Gingr

Pawfinity cuts the complexity and the price. For a solo groomer who just needs to schedule appointments, track clients, and send invoices, the trade-off makes sense.

Pros

• Significantly lower price than Gingr
• Simple interface that is easy to learn
• Online booking and client portal included
• Invoicing and basic payment processing
• Pet record keeping with grooming notes

Cons

• Limited SMS and communication features
• Fewer integrations than larger platforms
• Reporting is basic compared to Gingr or MoeGo
• Smaller user community and fewer online resources
• May outgrow it if your business scales quickly

Best For

Groomers who are just starting out or running a small operation on a tight budget. Be aware you may need to switch platforms as your business grows.

7. Square Appointments - Best Free Option for Getting Started

Price: Free for individuals, $29/month for teams Best for: New groomers who want scheduling without a monthly fee Website: squareup.com/appointments

Square Appointments is a general scheduling and payment platform, not grooming-specific software. But for groomers who want to keep costs at zero, the free plan is genuinely useful.

Key Differentiator vs Gingr

Square Appointments is free for solo users. You trade grooming-specific features for zero cost and seamless payment processing.

Pros

• Free plan available for individual users
• Excellent payment processing built in
• Clean, intuitive booking page for clients
• Automatic appointment reminders
• Easy integration with other Square products

Cons

• No grooming-specific features (pet profiles, intake forms, breed tracking)
• No SMS messaging beyond basic reminders
• Limited customization for grooming workflows
• Team features require a paid plan
• You will outgrow it quickly as a grooming business

Best For

Brand-new groomers who need free scheduling and payment processing right now. Most groomers will eventually want grooming-specific software, and when that day comes, platforms like Teddy or MoeGo are natural next steps.

How to Choose the Right Gingr Alternative

Picking the right software depends on what frustrated you about Gingr in the first place:

• Price is the issue? Look at Pawfinity ($39/month), Square Appointments (free), or Teddy (flat monthly rate). All are significantly cheaper than Gingr's $99/month starting price.
• Interface is the issue? Teddy or MoeGo both have modern, clean interfaces. MoeGo has the edge in features; Teddy has the edge in simplicity and SMS.
• SMS costs are the issue? Teddy is the clear winner with unlimited SMS included. Every other platform charges per message or requires an add-on.
• Need boarding + grooming? PetExec is your best Gingr alternative for multi-service operations.
• Want the most features? MoeGo matches or exceeds Gingr's feature set for grooming, with a much better user experience.

Switching from Gingr: What to Expect

Moving to new software sounds harder than it is. Here is the typical process:

1. Export your client data from Gingr. Most alternatives can import CSV files with client names, pet details, and contact information.
2. Set up your new platform. Modern options like Teddy and MoeGo can be configured in hours, not weeks.
3. Import your data. Upload your client list and verify records transferred correctly.
4. Notify your clients. Send a quick message with your new booking link. Most clients will not notice or care about the backend change.
5. Run both systems briefly. Keep Gingr active for a week or two while you verify everything works, then cancel.

The biggest fear is losing client data. In practice, a clean CSV export covers the critical information, and your go-forward experience will be dramatically better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gingr good for small grooming businesses?

Gingr can work for small grooming businesses, but it is not the best fit. The platform was designed for larger facilities offering boarding, daycare, and grooming together. Solo groomers often find the interface complex, the setup slow, and the pricing steep for features they will never use. Alternatives like Teddy and Pawfinity are built for smaller grooming operations and offer better value.

What is the cheapest alternative to Gingr?

Square Appointments offers a free plan for individual users, making it the cheapest option. However, it lacks grooming-specific features. Among grooming-specific software, Pawfinity starts at $39/month, significantly less than Gingr's $99/month entry point. Teddy offers a flat monthly rate with unlimited SMS included, which saves money compared to Gingr's base price plus messaging add-ons.

Can I transfer my client data from Gingr to another platform?

Yes. Gingr allows you to export client and pet data as CSV files. Most modern grooming platforms can import this data directly. Client names, contact information, and pet details typically transfer cleanly. Appointment history may require some manual adjustment depending on the new platform.

Which Gingr alternative has the best SMS messaging?

Teddy is the only grooming software on this list that includes unlimited SMS messaging in its base price. Every other platform either charges per message or requires a paid add-on. For groomers who rely on texting clients for confirmations, reminders, and updates, this can mean significant savings.

Final Thoughts

Gingr continues to serve large, multi-service facilities well. But the pet grooming software market has evolved, and groomers now have options that are more affordable, easier to use, and specifically designed for grooming workflows.

If you are a solo groomer or small team, Teddy gives you modern software with unlimited SMS at a fraction of Gingr's cost. If you want the most features, MoeGo is the premium choice. If budget is your top concern, Pawfinity or Square Appointments will get you started.

Take advantage of free trials, test the scheduling and messaging features with real clients, and pick the platform that fits your business today.