Teddy vs Pawfinity: Which Should You Choose?

Teddy and Pawfinity both serve pet groomers, but they’re built for different business stages.

Teddy focuses on simplicity and unlimited messaging for independents.
Pawfinity offers tiered features designed to scale with growing businesses.

Here’s how they compare across the factors that matter.

Quick Comparison

Pricing Comparison

Teddy Pricing

• Single plan: Competitive pricing
• SMS: Unlimited included
• Per-user fees: None
• Free trial: 14 days

Pawfinity Pricing

• Starter: $60/month
• Professional: $90/month
• Business: $120/month
• SMS: Included but limited by tier
• Free trial: 14 days

Feature Access by Tier

Unlike Teddy’s single-plan structure, Pawfinity gates features behind pricing tiers.

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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Scheduling & Calendar

Teddy

• Modern calendar interface
• Day, week, and month views
• Multi-groomer scheduling
• Drag-and-drop functionality
• Recurring appointments
• Color coding

Pawfinity

• Full calendar management
• Multiple view options
• Staff scheduling
• Resource management
• Recurring appointments
• Capacity planning

Verdict:
Both handle scheduling well. Pawfinity offers more depth for complex operations. Teddy is simpler and cleaner.

Client Communication

Teddy

• Unlimited two-way SMS
• Automated reminders
• Custom templates
• Full message history
• No caps or extra fees
• AI receptionist

Pawfinity

• SMS included (tier-limited)
• Automated reminders
• Email marketing (higher tiers)
• Communication logs
• Marketing campaigns (higher tiers)

Verdict:
Teddy wins on messaging freedom. Pawfinity’s tier-based SMS can limit heavy communicators.

Online Booking

Teddy

• Request-based system
• Clients request times
• You approve before confirming
• Prevents overbooking
• Integrated intake forms

Pawfinity

• Direct booking
• Clients see and book available slots
• More client self-service
• Booking rules and restrictions
• Deposit collection

Verdict:
Different philosophies. Teddy gives more control. Pawfinity offers more automation. Both approaches work — it comes down to preference.

Client & Pet Management

Teddy

• Client profiles
• Pet profiles with detailed notes
• Grooming history
• Service preferences
• Photo storage
• Digital intake forms
• Service agreements

Pawfinity

• Comprehensive client database
• Pet records
• Vaccination tracking
• Service history
• Notes and preferences
• Document storage

Verdict:
Comparable core functionality. Teddy’s integrated forms are a plus.

Payments

Teddy

• Square integration
• Invoicing
• Payment tracking
• Tip management

Pawfinity

• Built-in processing
• Multiple payment types
• Invoicing
• Package sales
• Gift cards (higher tiers)
• Membership/subscription billing

Verdict:
Pawfinity offers more payment options, especially for businesses selling packages or memberships.

Reporting & Analytics

Teddy

• Revenue reports
• Appointment metrics
• Client retention
• Basic insights

Pawfinity

• Sales reports
• Staff performance
• Revenue by service
• Marketing ROI (higher tiers)
• Custom reports (higher tiers)

Verdict:
Pawfinity provides deeper reporting, especially on Professional and Business tiers.

Marketing Features

Teddy

• Not a primary focus
• Basic communication tools
• No built-in marketing automation

Pawfinity

• Email marketing (higher tiers)
• Loyalty programs
• Review requests
• Referral tracking
• Campaign management

Verdict:
Pawfinity clearly wins here. If built-in marketing tools matter, its higher tiers deliver.

Pros and Cons

Teddy

Pros

• Unlimited SMS included
• Lower monthly cost
• Simple, modern interface
• Quick learning curve
• Digital forms included
• Predictable pricing
• AI receptionist

Cons

• Fewer advanced features
• Square-only payments
• Limited marketing tools
• Smaller user base
• No tiered scaling

Pawfinity

Pros

• Scales with business growth
• Marketing tools included (higher tiers)
• More payment flexibility
• Strong reporting depth
• Established platform
• Responsive support

Cons

• Higher starting price
• SMS is tier-limited
• Features gated by plan
• Can get expensive as you upgrade
• More complex to navigate

Who Should Choose Teddy?

Teddy is a strong fit if:

• You’re a solo groomer or small team
• Unlimited SMS is critical to your workflow
• You want simple, affordable software
• You don’t need marketing automation
• Predictable monthly costs matter
• You prefer request-based booking

Example scenario:
An independent groomer with 90 regular clients sending 600+ texts monthly for confirmations, updates, and scheduling conversations. Unlimited messaging and lower pricing provide clear value.

Who Should Choose Pawfinity?

Pawfinity is a strong fit if:

• You’re a growing business planning to scale
• Marketing tools are important
• You need tiered features as you expand
• Package or membership sales are part of your model
• You want built-in loyalty programs

Example scenario:
A grooming salon with four groomers planning to open a second location next year and needing marketing features, package sales, and reporting that grows with the business.

The Scalability Question

This is the key difference.

Teddy’s approach:
One plan, all features, designed for small operations. What you see is what you get. Ideal for independents who want simplicity.

Pawfinity’s approach:
Tiered plans that unlock features as you grow. Start small and upgrade as needs expand. Better for businesses with growth ambitions.

If you plan to remain solo, Teddy’s simplicity is an advantage.
If you plan to grow from 2 to 5 to 10 groomers, Pawfinity’s scalable model makes more sense.

The SMS Reality Check

Messaging volume matters.

Teddy: Unlimited. Text as much as you need.
Pawfinity: Included but varies by tier. Heavy texters may hit limits or require upgrades.

Consider your monthly volume:

• Appointment confirmations
• Day-of reminders
• Rescheduling conversations
• Running-late notices
• Post-groom updates
• General communication

If you’re consistently sending 500+ texts per month, Teddy’s unlimited model offers cost predictability and peace of mind.

Support Comparison

Teddy

• Smaller team
• Quick response times
• Email and chat support
• Growing knowledge base

Pawfinity

• Larger support team
• Multiple support channels
• Comprehensive help center
• Active user community

Both have solid support reputations. Pawfinity offers broader resources. Teddy may provide more personalized attention.

Migration Considerations

Moving from Pawfinity to Teddy

• Export client data
• Import into Teddy
• Lose marketing features
• Gain unlimited SMS
• Adjust to a simpler system

Moving from Teddy to Pawfinity

• Export and import client data
• Explore additional features
• Select appropriate tier
• Budget for higher costs
• Learn a more complex system

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Teddy cheaper than Pawfinity?

Yes. Teddy offers competitive pricing with unlimited SMS. Pawfinity starts at $60/month with limited SMS. The cost gap increases at higher tiers.

Does Pawfinity have unlimited texting?

No. SMS is included but limited by plan tier. Heavy users may need upgrades.

Which is better for a new groomer?

Teddy’s simplicity and lower cost often make it a better fit for new groomers. Pawfinity’s higher price and complexity may be unnecessary early on.

Can I switch later?

Yes. Both platforms allow data export. Switching is inconvenient but possible.

Which has better reporting?

Pawfinity, especially on Professional and Business tiers. Teddy covers the essentials.

The Verdict

Choose Teddy if:
You want simple, affordable software with unlimited messaging. Best for solo groomers and small teams who prioritize communication and value.

Choose Pawfinity if:
You’re planning to grow and want software that scales with you. Best for ambitious businesses that want marketing tools and tiered features.

Neither is universally better. The right choice depends on your current stage and future plans.

Try Before Deciding

Both platforms offer 14-day free trials:

• Teddy: tryteddy.com
• Pawfinity: pawfinity.com

Test your real workflow in each system. Book appointments, send messages, and explore features. The right fit will become clear.