An honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide what's right for your Australian pet business.
Pet Manager is Australian as well, with a visual pen scheduler and deep two-way Xero sync. It's priced by pens and places. If your business is boarding-first and Xero is central to your books, buy theirs. If you run grooming, daycare or courses alongside boarding, we cover more on one plan.
Purpose-built for Australian pet businesses. No compromises.
AUD pricing, GST-ready, No FX Fees
Grooming, daycare, boarding, walking, training. All included.
All on one plan. No add-ons.
Minimal digging. No endless menus
Avg. time to book less than 2 min
*Subscription waived as a bonus reward: Pro at $7,500+/mo, Max at $20,000+/mo in card payments
US-based software simply can't match these Australian-specific advantages.
| Payment Processing | Pet Manager | Petboost |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Stripe | AU Stripe |
| Card Fee | Standard Stripe rates | 1.7% + $0.3 |
| Booking Fee | Included in subscription | 1.2-1.4% |
| Online Payments | Via Stripe integration | Native AU Stripe integration |
| SMS Functionality | Pet Manager | Petboost |
|---|---|---|
| SMS Bundling | ⚠️ Credit-based add-on. Must purchase SMS credit packs separately | ✅ Included with Business Pro, Flex & Max plans |
| SMS Pricing | AUD (credit pack pricing not publicly disclosed) | ✅ Published credit packs in AUD |
| Australian Phone Number | ✅ Yes (native Australian company) | ✅ Australian number with Communications Booster |
| Automated Reminders | ✅ Check-in/check-out reminders (credits required) | ✅ Full lifecycle automation included in plan |
| SMS Payment Links | ❌ Not available | ✅ One-tap payment via SMS |
| 2-Way Messaging | ❌ Not documented | ✅ Communications Booster add-on with dedicated AU number |
| SMS Templates | ✅ Customisable with placeholders | ✅ Automated per-service timing |
There are limited scenarios where Pet Manager may suit you better:
Purpose-built for Australian pet businesses with a design-first approach our customers rave about:
From large daycares to solo groomers, businesses Australia-wide
An honest look at how each platform handles key functionality.
Pet Manager vs Petboost
Pre-built tags for allergies, grooming prefs, behavioural traits
Petboost has a comprehensive attribute library; Pet Manager uses notes and fields
Basic pet notes and custom fields
2,000+ pre-built attributes with 8+ categories
Comprehensive profile hub with tabs for appointments, packages, sales, settings & paperwork
Both platforms have detailed records; Petboost adds package management and policy overrides
Customer records with address, contacts, vet info, booking/financial history
8 organised tabs with per-customer policy overrides & collaborative management
Customers book directly from your website
Both offer online booking; Pet Manager embeds a widget on your website
Magic Availability Check + Quick Create
Transaction rates
Both use Stripe; Petboost offers Australian-optimised rates
Stripe integration (standard Stripe rates)
1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee (AU Stripe)
Visual facility management
Pet Manager has a strong visual scheduler for boarding facilities
Resource-based capacity management
Boarding + grooming + daycare + training + walking
Petboost has more dedicated service-specific workflows
Boarding, daycare, grooming and training (boarding-focused)
Full multi-vertical with dedicated workflows per service
Financial software sync
Pet Manager has a direct Xero integration; Petboost connects to Xero via Stripe Bank Feeds
Xero-ready via Stripe Bank Feeds
Text notifications to clients
Pet Manager requires pre-purchased SMS credit packs; Petboost includes SMS
SMS via credit packs (pre-purchased)
AU-native (+61)
Training courses and programs
Petboost has dedicated course management
Native courses with enrolment and scheduling
Prepaid credits and bundles
Petboost has native package management
Self-service packages with visual credit tracking
Track and enforce vaccination requirements
Both support vaccination tracking
Invoice creation and management
Both support invoicing
Business reporting and analytics
Pet Manager has comprehensive boarding-focused reporting
Business analytics and reporting
Pet moves pens during a stay
Pet Manager supports split bookings for pen moves
Discount codes and vouchers
Both support discount functionality
Multiple business locations
Both support multi-location; Petboost via Enterprise
Yes (Enterprise)
Digital signature for terms and conditions
Both support digital document signing
Email updates with photos during stays
Similar concept: stay updates sent to pet owners
Report cards
Feature Comparison Pet Manager vs Petboost | P Pet Manager | P PetboostAustralian-Built |
|---|---|---|
Pet Attributes LibraryPre-built tags for allergies, grooming prefs, behavioural traits Petboost has a comprehensive attribute library; Pet Manager uses notes and fields | Basic pet notes and custom fields | 2,000+ pre-built attributes with 8+ categories |
Pet & Owner ProfilesComprehensive profile hub with tabs for appointments, packages, sales, settings & paperwork Both platforms have detailed records; Petboost adds package management and policy overrides | Customer records with address, contacts, vet info, booking/financial history | 8 organised tabs with per-customer policy overrides & collaborative management |
Online BookingCustomers book directly from your website Both offer online booking; Pet Manager embeds a widget on your website | Magic Availability Check + Quick Create | |
Payment ProcessingTransaction rates Both use Stripe; Petboost offers Australian-optimised rates | Stripe integration (standard Stripe rates) | 1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee (AU Stripe) |
Scheduler/CalendarVisual facility management Pet Manager has a strong visual scheduler for boarding facilities | ✅ Visual pen scheduler with drag-and-drop, month/week views | Resource-based capacity management |
Multi-ServiceBoarding + grooming + daycare + training + walking Petboost has more dedicated service-specific workflows | Boarding, daycare, grooming and training (boarding-focused) | Full multi-vertical with dedicated workflows per service |
Accounting IntegrationFinancial software sync Pet Manager has a direct Xero integration; Petboost connects to Xero via Stripe Bank Feeds | ✅ Deep Xero integration (two-way sync) | Xero-ready via Stripe Bank Feeds |
SMS NotificationsText notifications to clients Pet Manager requires pre-purchased SMS credit packs; Petboost includes SMS | SMS via credit packs (pre-purchased) | AU-native (+61) |
Course ManagementTraining courses and programs Petboost has dedicated course management | Native courses with enrolment and scheduling | |
Package ManagementPrepaid credits and bundles Petboost has native package management | Self-service packages with visual credit tracking | |
Vaccination TrackingTrack and enforce vaccination requirements Both support vaccination tracking | ✅ With expiry tracking, reminders, and PDF/image uploads | |
InvoicingInvoice creation and management Both support invoicing | ✅ With automatic cost calculation and email delivery | |
ReportingBusiness reporting and analytics Pet Manager has comprehensive boarding-focused reporting | ✅ Extensive (occupancy, financial, dietary, medical, booking deposits) | Business analytics and reporting |
Split BookingsPet moves pens during a stay Pet Manager supports split bookings for pen moves | ||
Vouchers/DiscountsDiscount codes and vouchers Both support discount functionality | ✅ With dollar/percentage discounts, usage limits, and voucher codes | |
Multi-SiteMultiple business locations Both support multi-location; Petboost via Enterprise | ✅ Up to 3 sites on Multi-Site plan | Yes (Enterprise) |
Digital T&C SigningDigital signature for terms and conditions Both support digital document signing | ✅ Print or digitally sign on tablet/phone | |
Pet PostcardsEmail updates with photos during stays Similar concept: stay updates sent to pet owners | ✅ Pet Postcards with photos and stay updates | Report cards |
Last updated: January 2026 • Based on publicly available information
We do fewer things exceptionally well rather than many things adequately. Our customers consistently tell us our design and user experience is miles ahead. Here's where we've intentionally focused elsewhere:
Petboost uses resource capacity management rather than a visual pen scheduler
Not currently supported
Petboost connects to Xero via Stripe Bank Feeds; Pet Manager has deeper two-way sync with overpayments and credit notes
| Feature | Status | Our Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Visual pen/kennel scheduler | Considering | Petboost uses resource capacity management rather than a visual pen scheduler |
| Split bookings (pen moves during stay) | Considering | Not currently supported |
| Xero two-way sync depth | Considering | Petboost connects to Xero via Stripe Bank Feeds; Pet Manager has deeper two-way sync with overpayments and credit notes |
If any of these are dealbreakers today, Pet Manager may be better suited for your current needs.
Based on typical Australian pet business transaction volumes.
* For illustrative purposes only, based on industry averages. Your actual costs may vary.
| Cost Type | Pet Manager | Petboost |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription (Starter) | $65 AUD/month (up to 10 pens/places) | $65/mo (or $0 at $7,500+/mo) |
| Monthly Subscription (Standard) | $85 AUD/month (up to 30 pens/places) | $65/mo (or $0 at $7,500+/mo) |
| Monthly Subscription (Deluxe) | $110 AUD/month (unlimited) | $65/mo (or $0 at $7,500+/mo) |
| Monthly Subscription (Multi-Site) | $270 AUD/month (up to 3 sites) | $65/mo (or $0 at $7,500+/mo) |
| Payment Processing | Standard Stripe rates | AU Stripe (1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee) |
| SMS | Pre-purchased credit packs (additional cost) | Included |
| Petboost Booking Fee | N/A | 1.2-1.4% on card payments |
What Could You Save?
Calculate your potential savings
Your savings depend on your business size and payment volume. Use the calculator below for a personalised estimate.
Enter your numbers and see
Business Pro starts at -/month with 0 appointments included. Business Max at -/month gives you unlimited appointments.
Total customer payments (all methods)
Appointments you expect each month
Reminders and notifications sent
What percentage of payments go through card on file?
Subscription waiver impact: Your total revenue ($10,000) would qualify for a subscription waiver, but only $8,000 goes through card on file. Increase card payments to $0 to unlock the waiver.
At 100 bookings/month, Business Pro would cost $45/month. Max costs $45/month, which is $0/month more but includes unlimited appointments.
20 of your 100 appointments are paid without card on file
$1 in fees saves $408 in hidden costs
Annual impact: $4,892/year in recoverable losses
Business Pro includes 0 SMS/month. Most businesses never hit these limits. You've set 300 SMS/month. You'll need 3 SMS Power-Up Packs ($45).
Save $636+ per month compared to typical competitors.
All plans include SMS Power-Up Packs at $15 for 100 additional SMS if needed.
* Estimates based on $10,000 total revenue (80% card on file), 100 appointments, and 300 SMS. Hidden cost estimates use industry averages for no-show rates, cancellation losses, and admin time. Actual costs vary.
Enter your business numbers and compare total costs including international card and currency conversion fees.
See exactly what you save with Petboost
Up to 10 kennels/pens. 1 location. AU Stripe rates.
If platform fee built into pricing: $0/mo
Annual savings: $3,180
Compared to Pet Manager Starter (10 kennels) at 100 transactions/month
Pet Manager pricing from their pricing page. Verified 2026-08-24.
Petboost fits your business. Whether you're a one-person mobile groomer, running a large facility with multiple staff and spaces, or managing several locations at once.
One-person operations with streamlined scheduling and automated payments.
3-10 staff with resource management, shared calendars, and team coordination.
Multi-space daycare and boarding, high-volume salons, and busy multi-service businesses.
Multi-location groups and franchises running every site from one HQ dashboard.
It's easier than you think. Here's what to expect if you decide to move from Pet Manager.
Customer & Pet Data
Petboost supports direct Pet Manager CSV imports for customers and pets
Booking History
Historical records can be imported with assistance
Timeline
1-2 weeks typical with CSV import support
If you're using a Stripe WisePOS-E terminal with Pet Manager, you can bring it across to Petboost. No new equipment needed.
We're here to help. We provide migration assistance for businesses switching from Pet Manager.
Contact us for a migration assessmentFrom large daycares to solo groomers, businesses Australia-wide
Still unsure? Book a no-pressure demo and we'll help you figure out if we're the right fit, even if that means recommending someone else.
Honest about change
Switching to any new system is a big adjustment. Buttons are in different places, naming might be different, and the muscle memory you have built does not transfer overnight. We tell every customer the same thing: give it 4 to 6 weeks. Then, one day, you realise it is so much better.
Common questions about switching and comparing these platforms.
Purpose-built features for every type of pet business.
Last verified: 24th August 2026 | Pricing and features sourced from petmanager.com
Found an error? Let us know and we'll correct it promptly.
Pet Manager® is a registered trademark of its respective owners. This comparison is based on publicly available information and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pet Manager.
