Best Gingr Alternatives for Pet Grooming Salons

Gingr is a well-known name in pet care software, but it’s not the ideal fit for every grooming business. Many groomers find that Gingr’s boarding-first design adds complexity they don’t need, or that the pricing is difficult to justify for a grooming-only operation.

If you’re searching for a Gingr alternative, this guide breaks down the best options available in 2026 — based on the type of grooming business you run.

If you want a deeper side-by-side breakdown, check out Teddy vs Gingr: Complete Comparison.

You can also explore our guide on Best Pet Grooming Software with Online Booking if online booking is one of your top priorities.

Why Groomers Look for Gingr Alternatives

Gingr was originally built for pet boarding and daycare businesses. Grooming was added later as an additional feature. For grooming-only salons, this can create a few frustrations:

• Paying for features you’ll never use
• A workflow that feels designed around boarding instead of grooming
• Higher pricing geared toward larger facilities

If that sounds familiar, these are the top alternatives worth considering.

1. Teddy — Best for Grooming-First Businesses

Best for: Independent groomers and small salons

Teddy is one of the strongest alternatives for grooming-only businesses because it was built specifically for pet grooming — not adapted from boarding software.

Features include:

• Scheduling
• Unlimited two-way SMS
• Request-based online booking
• Automated reminders
• Digital intake forms
• Service agreements
• CRM with pet profiles
• Square POS integration

One of Teddy’s biggest advantages is unlimited texting. Many groomers switching from Gingr find client communication much easier when appointment reminders, pickup texts, and confirmations are unlimited.

Teddy also offers an optional AI receptionist add-on that helps handle missed calls and client intake automatically.

You can learn more at tryteddy.com.

2. MoeGo — Best for Feature-Rich Salons

Best for: Growing salons with multiple staff members

MoeGo is one of the most feature-packed grooming platforms available. It includes:

• Marketing automation
• Loyalty programs
• Multi-staff scheduling
• Detailed reporting
• Team management tools

For salons that need advanced operational tools, MoeGo can be a great fit.

The downside is that it can feel overwhelming for solo groomers, and pricing increases quickly on higher tiers.

Where MoeGo Falls Short

• Texting limits depending on plan
• No AI receptionist
• Steeper learning curve

3. DaySmart Pet — Best for Reporting and Payroll

Best for: Data-driven salon owners

DaySmart Pet (formerly 123Pet) has been around for years and offers powerful reporting tools for businesses focused on analytics and staff performance.

It includes:

• Revenue reporting
• Payroll management
• Retention analytics
• Staff performance tracking

DaySmart is especially useful for salon owners managing multiple employees and larger operations.

Where DaySmart Falls Short

• Older user interface
• Limited texting on lower plans
• Better suited for mid-size operations than solo groomers

4. GrooMore — Best Budget Option

Best for: New groomers and budget-conscious businesses

GrooMore keeps things simple and affordable while still covering the essentials:

• Scheduling
• Client management
• Online booking
• Automated reminders

It’s a solid starting point for groomers who need basic functionality without paying for enterprise-level software.

Where GrooMore Falls Short

• Fewer integrations
• Limited texting capabilities
• Smaller support ecosystem

5. Pawfinity — Best for High-Volume Grooming

Best for: Busy salons with multiple groomers

Pawfinity is designed for speed and scheduling efficiency. It works well for salons running back-to-back appointments throughout the day.

Additional features include:

• Inventory management
• Retail product tracking
• Multi-groomer scheduling

Where Pawfinity Falls Short

• Steeper learning curve
• Fewer client communication tools

Comparison at a Glance

Which Gingr Alternative Should You Choose?

• Solo groomer or small salon → Teddy
• Growing multi-staff salon → MoeGo
• Need detailed reporting and payroll → DaySmart Pet
• Lowest-cost option → GrooMore
• High-volume scheduling-focused salon → Pawfinity

Moving Your Data from Gingr

If you decide to switch platforms, most software providers allow you to export your client and pet information from Gingr using CSV files.

Before canceling your account, export:

• Client contact information
• Pet profiles
• Grooming notes
• Appointment history

Most grooming software companies will help guide you through the migration process and explain what data can be imported automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gingr mainly for boarding facilities?

Yes. Gingr was originally designed for boarding and daycare businesses. While it supports grooming, some groomers feel the platform still reflects a boarding-first workflow.

What is the best Gingr alternative for solo groomers?

Teddy is often the best fit for solo groomers because it’s grooming-focused, easy to use, and includes unlimited two-way texting for client communication.

Does Teddy support online booking?

Yes. Teddy uses a request-based online booking system where clients submit appointment requests and the groomer approves them before they appear on the calendar.

How difficult is it to switch from Gingr?

The biggest investment is time. Most platforms support CSV imports, so moving client information is usually straightforward once your data is exported properly.

Can I try these platforms before committing?

Yes. Teddy, MoeGo, DaySmart Pet, and GrooMore all offer free trials so you can test the software with your actual workflow before making a decision.