Getting paid shouldn’t be complicated. The best grooming software handles payments alongside scheduling and client management—no separate systems, no manual reconciliation.
This guide covers grooming software with built-in or integrated payment processing for 2026.
What Payment Features Matter
For groomers, payment processing should:
Accept cards easily — Swipe, tap, or manual entry
Track transactions — Know who paid what and when
Handle tips — Capture and record gratuities
Integrate with scheduling — Tie payments directly to appointments
Multi-service pet care facilities with advanced billing needs.
Pawfinity – Best for Growing Payment Needs
Price: Starting at $60/month Free Trial: 14 days
Pawfinity scales with your business. Payment features expand as you upgrade tiers.
Why It Excels at Payments
Built-in processing
Package sales (higher tiers)
Gift cards (higher tiers)
Scalable feature set
Strong reporting tools
Payment Details
Fees: Approximately 2.9% + $0.30
Hardware: Standard readers supported
Invoicing: Available
Online payments: Supported
Pros
Grows with your business
Balanced feature set
Reasonable pricing
Cons
Advanced features require upgrades
SMS tier-limited
Mid-range pricing
Best For
Growing businesses that need payment features to scale over time.
DaySmart – Best Budget Payments
Price: Starting at $29/month Free Trial: 14 days
DaySmart offers built-in payment processing at the lowest monthly cost.
Why It Excels at Payments
Affordable monthly plan
Built-in processing
Essential payment tools
Proven reliability
Payment Details
Fees: Varies by plan
Hardware: Standard readers
Invoicing: Basic functionality
Online payments: Limited
Pros
Lowest cost option
Stable platform
Covers core needs
Cons
Dated interface
SMS costs extra
Limited advanced tools
Best For
Budget-conscious groomers who need simple, reliable payment processing.
Understanding Transaction Fees
Payment processing always includes transaction fees. Here’s what to expect.
Typical Fee Structures
Card-present (tap/swipe):
2.6% + $0.10 (Square)
2.7% + $0.05 (some processors)
~2.9% + $0.30 (built-in systems)
Card-not-present (manual/online):
2.9% + $0.30 (typical)
3.5% + $0.15 (Square keyed entry)
Fee Comparison on a $75 Appointment
Small differences per appointment can add up over time.
Hardware Options
Card Readers
Square options:
Magstripe reader — $10
Contactless + chip reader — $49
Square Terminal — $299
General readers:
Bluetooth-compatible
Typically $30–$100
Check platform compatibility
Mobile Grooming Considerations
Mobile groomers need:
Battery-powered readers
Bluetooth connectivity
Phone/tablet compatibility
Reliable performance in varied locations
Square readers pair well with Teddy for mobile setups.
Tip Management
Tips are a major income source for groomers.
Capture Tips
Prompt at checkout
Suggested percentages (15%, 20%, 25%)
Custom entry option
Track Tips
Record amounts
Associate with specific groomer
Tax reporting support
Report Tips
Daily, weekly, monthly totals
By groomer (salon view)
Exportable reports
All reviewed platforms support basic tip functionality.
Invoicing Features
Sometimes payment isn’t collected immediately.
Invoice Capabilities
Professional invoice generation
Email delivery
Payment tracking
Reminder notifications
When Invoicing Matters
Corporate accounts
Insurance billing
Delayed payments
Membership or package billing
MoeGo and Gingr offer the strongest invoicing systems. Teddy and DaySmart cover essentials.
Package and Prepaid Sales
Selling service bundles improves retention and cash flow.
Package Features
Bundle offers (e.g., 5 grooms for price of 4)
Redemption tracking
Expiration management
Usage reporting
Platforms Supporting Packages
MoeGo — Full management
Gingr — Advanced features
Pawfinity — Higher tiers
DaySmart — Basic options
Teddy — Not currently supported
Online Payment Features
Online payments enable:
Deposits
Collect at booking
Reduce no-shows
Store card on file
Post-Service Payments
Send digital payment requests
Contactless checkout
Online Package Sales
Sell packages through portal
Online gift cards
MoeGo and Pawfinity offer the strongest online payment systems.
Security Considerations
Payment processing requires strong security.
PCI Compliance
All major processors are PCI compliant. You don’t store card data—the processor handles security.
Card-on-File
Secure tokenization
Enables no-show charges
Convenient for clients
Fraud Protection
Built-in fraud monitoring protects against chargebacks.
Accounting Integration
Payment data should integrate smoothly with accounting.
Export Options
Transaction reports
Payment summaries
Tip breakdowns
Service-level sales
Accounting Compatibility
QuickBooks integration (varies)
Xero (limited support)
CSV exports (universal option)
Many groomers rely on report exports for bookkeeping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose built-in processing or Square?
If you already use Square, stick with it. If starting fresh, built-in processing is simpler. Fees are comparable.
Can I accept cash?
Yes. All platforms allow manual recording of cash transactions.
What about Venmo or PayPal?
They work independently but don’t integrate natively—requiring manual tracking.
Do I need a separate merchant account?
No. Square and built-in processors handle merchant services.
How do I charge no-show fees?
Use card-on-file functionality during booking to charge if needed.
Our Recommendation
For Square users: Teddy integrates seamlessly and offers competitive pricing.
For an all-in-one solution: MoeGo delivers built-in processing and strong package features.
For complex billing: Gingr handles multi-service facilities with advanced tools.
For budget setups: DaySmart provides basic payment functionality at the lowest monthly cost.
Payment processing is essential—but it shouldn’t be the only factor. Choose software that fits your overall workflow, then ensure payments integrate smoothly within that system.