How to choose dog grooming software
Twelve questions to ask any grooming app before you move your clients into it. Most of them are about what you’ll really pay.
Updated October 20, 2026
The short answer
Pick grooming software by its total monthly cost for your whole shop (groomers, vans, texts and card fees included), whether it fits how you work (salon, van or home), whether you can try it with your own clients first, and whether you can take all your data with you when you leave.
The money questions
- What’s the total each month for my shop? Ask for one number with every groomer, location and van you have today, and next year.
- Is it priced per groomer, per van or per location? Some grooming apps charge for each, so the bill grows when you hire.
- Are text messages limited? Some apps include a set number of texts a month and charge for more, or keep two-way texting for higher plans.
- Do I have to use their card processing? Some apps charge more, or turn off features, if you keep your own card company. Ask what the rate is, in writing.
- Is there a contract or a setup fee? Ask how to cancel, and whether a “pause” renews by itself.
The fit questions
- Does it fit my kind of shop? A van needs service areas, drive time and travel fees. A salon needs a column per groomer and a board for the back.
- Does it run on what I have? A browser-based app works on the computer, iPad and phone you already own.
- Can clients book online, and do I approve it? Decide whether you want requests you approve or bookings that land on their own.
- Can my clients read it in Spanish? Check the booking page, texts and receipts, not just the website.
- Who answers when it breaks? Ask how you reach a person, and how fast.
The leaving questions
- Can I bring my clients in? Ask which exports it reads and whether you can check the import before it’s saved.
- Can I take everything out, any day? Clients, pets, visit history and sales, in a file you can open in Excel, without asking anyone.
A simple way to compare
Write your answers in a table like this for each app you’re looking at:
| Question | What to write down |
|---|---|
| Monthly total | One number for your shop today, and with one more groomer or van |
| Texts | How many are included, and the price after that |
| Card processing | Your choice or theirs, and the rate |
| Contract | Length, cancel notice, setup fee |
| Your data | Import included? Full export any day? |
WagTab’s answers
| Monthly total | $20 for the whole shop, or $200 a year |
|---|---|
| Groomers and vans | Unlimited staff, groomers, vans and calendars |
| Texts | Opened on your own phone or WhatsApp, ready to send, so WagTab charges nothing for them |
| Card processing | Keep your own reader and record each payment; WagTab adds no fee |
| Contract and setup | No contract, no setup fee, free for 30 days while you set it up |
| Kinds of shop | Salon, mobile vans, or both |
| Spanish | Booking page, texts and receipts in English and Spanish; staff screens in English |
| Your data | Free import with a check before saving; Excel downloads and a full copy of your records any day, paid or not |
| Help | By email, answered within one business day, Monday to Friday |
Not built yet: automatic reminders, two-way texting, and forms clients sign on their phone. All the facts
Questions about choosing
Is there free dog grooming software?
Some apps have free plans with limits on clients, staff or features. WagTab is free for 30 days while you set it up and practice, then $20 a month for the whole shop with nothing held back.
How hard is it to switch grooming software?
Most of the work is moving clients, pets and visit history. Download the export from your old app, check the import, and run both side by side for a week if you’re nervous. How switching works
Try it with your own clients first
Free for 30 days while you set it up, with no card. More guides: all guides