Software Comparison ยท Updated April 2026

123Pet Grooming Software Alternatives: Best Pet Grooming Software for 2026

123Pet is now DaySmart Pet โ€” and while the name changed, the desktop-first design and premium pricing stayed the same. If you are comparing 123Pet alternatives, here is how the top options stack up on pricing, features, and the things that matter most when you are running dogs through your schedule every day.

Why Groomers Look for 123Pet Alternatives

123Pet (now DaySmart Pet) has been around for years โ€” but the grooming industry has moved on. Here is what drives groomers to search for alternatives:

  • โœ•Desktop-first design โ€” 123Pet was built for Windows desktops. The web version exists but does not match the mobile-first experience newer platforms offer. Groomers working from a van or on the floor need software that works on a phone.
  • โœ•Higher starting price โ€” at $49+/month for a single groomer, 123Pet costs significantly more than mobile-first alternatives that start at $29/month. For solo groomers on tight margins, that difference adds up to $240/year.
  • โœ•Feature add-ons โ€” automated reminders, online booking customization, and other core features cost extra on some 123Pet tiers. Competitors like GroomGrid include these in base pricing.
  • โœ•Dated interface โ€” the UI works, but it feels like software from 2015. Groomers used to modern app design find the learning curve steeper than it needs to be.
  • โœ•No AI features โ€” 123Pet has not added AI scheduling, breed detection, or intelligent automation. Newer platforms are closing the gap with tools that save real time every day.

If 123Pet covers everything you need and the desktop workflow suits you, there is no reason to switch. But if you are a solo groomer or mobile operator who lives on your phone, an alternative built for how you actually work will save you money and daily frustration.

123Pet Alternatives: Feature Comparison

The top platforms groomers compare when looking beyond 123Pet (DaySmart Pet):

FeatureGroomGrid123PetMoeGoPawfinity
Starting price (1 groomer)$29/mo$49+/mo$49+/mo$40/mo
AI scheduling assistantโœ“โ€”โ€”โ€”
AI breed detectionโœ“โ€”โ€”โ€”
Mobile-first designโœ“โ€”โœ“Partial
Automated 3-touch remindersIncludedAdd-onIncludedIncluded
Online booking pageโœ“โœ“โœ“โœ“
Integrated paymentsโœ“โœ“โœ“Partial
Free trial (no credit card)14 daysโ€”โ€”7 days
Desktop app requiredNoYes (Windows)NoNo
Modern web interfaceโœ“โ€”โœ“Partial

Based on published feature pages as of April 2026. Features subject to change.

GroomGrid vs. 123Pet: Who Should Choose What?

Choose GroomGrid if:

  • โœ“ You are a solo or mobile groomer
  • โœ“ You need software that works on your phone, not just a desktop
  • โœ“ You want AI scheduling and breed detection built in
  • โœ“ Price matters โ€” starting at $29/month vs $49+
  • โœ“ You want a 14-day free trial, no credit card needed

Stick with 123Pet if:

  • โ†’ You run a multi-location salon enterprise
  • โ†’ You need Windows desktop integration
  • โ†’ Your team is already trained on 123Pet and migration costs are too high
  • โ†’ You need legacy POS hardware integration

What GroomGrid Solves That 123Pet Does Not

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AI Scheduling

GroomGrid's AI assistant helps you build an efficient daily schedule โ€” filling gaps, balancing appointment times, and flagging conflicts before they become problems. 123Pet has no comparable AI scheduling feature.

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True Mobile-First

GroomGrid was designed for groomers working from a van or on the go. Every screen works on a phone without pinching and zooming. Check in, collect payment, send a reminder โ€” all from your phone. 123Pet requires a Windows desktop for full functionality.

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$20/mo Savings Minimum

GroomGrid Solo tier is $29/mo versus 123Pet's $49+ starting price. That is $240/year back in your pocket โ€” enough to cover grooming supplies for weeks.

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AI Breed Detection

Photograph the dog on arrival and GroomGrid auto-fills the breed, suggesting grooming notes and typical service times. This alone saves 2โ€“3 minutes per appointment โ€” adding up to 30+ minutes per day.

๐Ÿ””

No-Show Prevention

Automated 3-touch SMS and email reminders are included in every GroomGrid plan โ€” not a paid add-on. Mobile groomers report that reminders cut no-shows by 30โ€“40%, saving wasted drive time and gas.

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14-Day Free Trial

Try GroomGrid free for 14 days โ€” no credit card required. 123Pet does not offer a no-credit-card trial. Run GroomGrid in parallel with your current setup to evaluate it without any risk.

How to Switch from 123Pet to GroomGrid

Switching from 123Pet (DaySmart Pet) is simpler than most groomers expect:

1.Export your client list and pet records from 123Pet โ€” go to Settings โ†’ Data Export โ†’ CSV
2.Sign up for a GroomGrid free trial โ€” no credit card required at getgroomgrid.com
3.Import your CSV during onboarding โ€” GroomGrid maps the fields automatically
4.Set up your services, pricing, and business hours (takes 10โ€“15 minutes)
5.Connect Stripe for payments โ€” setup takes about 5 minutes
6.Run both systems side-by-side for 1โ€“2 weeks if you want a safety net
7.Cancel 123Pet once you confirm everything transferred correctly

Your clients will not notice a thing โ€” they will just keep getting their appointment reminders, which now arrive from GroomGrid. Total migration time: 1โ€“2 hours for data import, plus 1โ€“2 weeks of parallel running if you want it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 123Pet the same as DaySmart Pet?

Yes. 123Pet was rebranded to DaySmart Pet. The software is the same product under a new name. If you are searching for 123Pet grooming software, you are looking for DaySmart Pet โ€” and there are now newer alternatives like GroomGrid that offer AI scheduling, mobile-first design, and lower pricing starting at $29/month.

What is the best 123Pet alternative for mobile groomers?

GroomGrid is the best 123Pet alternative for mobile groomers. It is built mobile-first, meaning every screen works on your phone without pinching and zooming. It includes AI scheduling to pack your day efficiently, automated SMS reminders to cut no-shows, and integrated payments starting at $29/month with a 14-day free trial.

How does 123Pet pricing compare to alternatives?

123Pet (now DaySmart Pet) starts around $49โ€“$79/month for a single user and requires a Windows desktop for full functionality. GroomGrid starts at $29/month and works on any device โ€” phone, tablet, or computer. MoeGo starts around $49/month. Pawfinity starts around $40/month. For the core features most groomers need, GroomGrid offers the best value with AI tools included.

Can I switch from 123Pet to another grooming software?

Yes. Export your client list, pet records, and appointment history from 123Pet (DaySmart) as CSV files, then import them into your new platform. GroomGrid provides a step-by-step import wizard that walks you through the process. Most groomers complete the migration in 1โ€“2 hours, and you can run both systems in parallel during the transition.

Does 123Pet have AI features?

No. 123Pet (DaySmart Pet) does not offer AI scheduling, breed detection, or smart automation. It is a traditional desktop-first grooming management tool. GroomGrid includes an AI scheduling assistant that optimizes your daily schedule and AI breed detection that auto-populates breed-specific care notes โ€” both included in the $29/month Solo tier.

Ready to Try a 123Pet Alternative?

GroomGrid gives you AI scheduling, mobile-first design, automated reminders, and integrated payments โ€” all starting at $29/month. Start your 14-day free trial today, no credit card required.

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

The 123Pet alternative built for how groomers actually work