Online booking isn’t optional anymore. Clients expect to schedule appointments when it’s convenient for them — which is rarely during your business hours.
The right software makes online booking smooth for clients while giving you full control over your calendar. Here are the best options for 2026.
Why Online Booking Matters
Online booking delivers real benefits:
24/7 availability — Clients book at midnight if they want
Fewer phone interruptions — Less disruption while grooming
No scheduling tennis — No “what times work for you?” back-and-forth
Fuller schedules — More bookings, fewer empty gaps
Professional image — Modern, convenient experience
Businesses with online booking often fill 25–40% more appointments than phone-only operations.
Quick Comparison
1. Teddy – Best Request-Based Booking
Free Trial: 14 days
Teddy uses a request-based system. Clients submit booking requests, and you approve them before confirmation. This prevents conflicts and lets you vet new clients.
Why It Excels at Online Booking
Request-based approvals
Integrated intake forms during booking
Clear service descriptions and pricing
Mobile-responsive design
Unlimited SMS confirmations
Pros
Full control over bookings
Built-in intake forms
Unlimited confirmation messages
Prevents problematic appointments
Clean, modern interface
Cons
Requires manual approval
Not fully automated
Web-based only
Best For
Groomers who want control over their calendar and prefer vetting new clients before confirming.
2. MoeGo – Best Direct Booking
Price: Starting at $69/month Free Trial: 14 days
MoeGo offers fully automated direct booking. Clients see available slots and book instantly without your involvement.
Why It Excels at Online Booking
Immediate confirmation
Smart scheduling conflict prevention
Custom booking pages
Built-in waitlist
Deposit collection options
Pros
Fully automated
Professional booking pages
Deposit capabilities
Waitlist management
Strong mobile apps
Cons
Higher monthly cost
SMS costs extra
Less manual control
Best For
Established salons that want hands-off automated scheduling.
3. Pawfinity – Best for Growing Businesses
Price: Starting at $60/month Free Trial: 14 days
Pawfinity’s booking tools expand through tiered plans, allowing you to start simple and add advanced features as you grow.
Why It Excels at Online Booking
Direct self-scheduling
Customizable booking rules
Deposit collection
Online service packages
Scalable feature tiers
Pros
Grows with your business
Strong customization options
Package sales integration
Deposit collection
Cons
SMS tier-limited
Advanced features require upgrades
Mid-range pricing
Best For
Growing grooming businesses that need booking flexibility over time.
4. DaySmart – Best Budget Booking
Price: Starting at $29/month Free Trial: 14 days
DaySmart offers online booking at the lowest price point in this category.
Why It Excels at Online Booking
Budget-friendly
Automated direct booking
Reliable platform
Basic customization
Pros
Lowest price
Proven reliability
Online booking included
Established track record
Cons
SMS costs extra
Dated interface
Basic booking experience
Limited customization
Best For
Budget-conscious groomers who need functional online booking without advanced features.
5. GrooMore – Best Simple Booking
Price: $39/month Free Trial: 14 days
GrooMore provides straightforward booking without unnecessary complexity.
Why It Excels at Online Booking
Simple setup
Direct self-scheduling
Essential functionality
Competitive pricing
Pros
Easy to use
Affordable
Quick setup
Clean booking flow
Cons
Limited SMS
Basic feature set
Less polished interface
Best For
Groomers who want simple, affordable online booking without advanced tools.
Request-Based vs. Direct Booking
Understanding this choice is crucial.
Request-Based Booking (Teddy)
How it works:
Client views availability
Selects services and time
Submits request
You approve or decline
Client receives confirmation
Advantages:
Full booking control
Ability to vet new clients
Prevents scheduling conflicts
Handles complex cases better
Disadvantages:
Not instant confirmation
Requires manual review
Short delay before confirmation
Direct Booking (MoeGo, DaySmart, Pawfinity, GrooMore)
How it works:
Client selects available slot
Appointment confirmed instantly
Appears automatically on your calendar
Advantages:
Fully automated
Instant gratification
Works while you’re grooming
No manual processing
Disadvantages:
Less vetting control
Complex schedules may conflict
New clients book automatically
Recommendation: Request-based booking works best if you want control or have complex scheduling. Direct booking works well for established salons with predictable client flow.
Online Booking Must-Haves
Mobile Responsiveness
Over 70% of bookings happen on phones. Your booking page must work flawlessly on mobile.
Clear Service Descriptions
Clients should clearly see:
Service name
What’s included
Duration
Price (or starting price)
Pet requirements
Accurate Availability
Show only true availability. Nothing frustrates clients more than false open slots.
New Client Handling
First-time clients should complete:
Contact information
Pet details
Policy agreements
Intake forms (ideally during booking)
Booking Customization Options
Control what gets booked online.
Time Restrictions
Advance booking limits
Same-day cutoffs
Minimum lead times
Holiday blocking
Service Restrictions
Limit services available online
Restrict new client services
Control service combinations
Client Restrictions
New vs. returning client rules
Deposit requirements
Pet eligibility rules
Groomer Assignment
Client selects groomer
Automatic assignment
Manual assignment (request-based systems)
Integrating Booking on Your Website
Embedded Widget
Place booking directly on your website so clients never leave your page.
Booking Button
Add a “Book Now” button that opens your booking page in a new tab or popup.
Direct Link
Share your booking URL on:
Google Business Profile
Social media bios
Email signatures
Text messages
All reviewed platforms support these options.
Reducing No-Shows with Online Booking
Online booking helps reduce no-shows when combined with:
Confirmation Requests
“Reply YES to confirm your appointment.”
Reminder Sequences
48 hours before
24 hours before
Same-day reminder
Deposit Collection
Upfront payment increases commitment.
Clear Cancellation Policies
Display policies clearly during booking.
Unlimited SMS platforms make reminder sequences more affordable. Per-text pricing may limit how many reminders you send.
Online Booking Metrics to Track
Conversion Rate
How many website visitors complete bookings?
Booking Source
Website widget vs. direct link vs. Google vs. social media.
No-Show Rate
Compare online vs. phone bookings.
Time-to-Book
How far in advance do clients schedule?
Tracking these numbers helps you refine your booking system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Let New Clients Book Online?
If you want vetting control, use request-based booking. If you prefer automation, direct booking works.
Can Clients Choose Their Groomer?
Most platforms allow you to enable or disable groomer selection.
What If Someone Books a Time I’m Not Available?
Proper configuration prevents this. Set working hours and block personal time.
How Do I Handle Complex Scheduling Online?
Request-based systems handle complexity better. Direct booking relies on rule configuration.
Do I Need a Website for Online Booking?
No. You can share a booking link on Google, social media, or text. A website helps — but it’s not required.
Our Recommendation
For Controlled Booking
Teddy — request-based system with integrated intake forms and unlimited confirmations.
For Automated Booking
MoeGo — sophisticated direct booking with deposits and waitlists (SMS costs extra).
For Budget Booking
DaySmart — lowest price, basic but functional booking.
For Simplicity
GrooMore — straightforward and affordable.
Test your top choices. The booking experience shapes your client’s first impression — make sure it feels smooth, modern, and easy.