Dog grooming software and booking: what UK groomers need
Dog grooming software runs your diary, your client and dog records, reminders, deposits and payments, and usually gives owners a way to book online. UK prices start at nothing for a basic free plan and run to about £50 a month before VAT for a salon with several groomers. The right one depends on whether you work alone or with a team, whether you're mobile, and how much you rely on text reminders.
We took the prices below from each company's own pricing page on 18 October 2026.
Checked 18 Oct 2026
What grooming software needs to do
A groomer's diary is not like a hairdresser's. Look for:
- Dog profiles, not just client profiles. Breed, coat, size, temperament, health notes, vaccinations, and what was done last time.
- Appointment lengths by dog. A Cockapoo full groom and a Westie bath and tidy take different times.
- Rebooking every 4, 6 or 8 weeks, set up in one go.
- Reminders by text, WhatsApp or email. Check how many texts are included, because this is where costs creep up.
- Deposits and no-show fees, if you want them.
- Online booking that you control, so owners can't book a big dog into a 30-minute gap.
- Route planning, if you're a mobile groomer.
Published UK prices
| Software | Published price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuft | Essential free; Pro £35 a month (£29 billed annually); Pro Multi £49 a month (£41 billed annually) | Flat price, not per groomer; prices exclude VAT; 14-day trial of Pro |
| GroomSlot | £24 a month, one plan | 150 SMS and WhatsApp reminders a month included; no contracts; VAT not stated |
| ShakeYourTail | £0, £15, £35 or £45 a month | Four plans with more features and users as the price rises (Business 5 users, Enterprise unlimited); the free plan has no SMS reminders or deposits; 30-day trial; VAT not stated |
| Fresha | £14.95 a month for one person; £9.95 per team member | Plus VAT; 20% fee (min £4) on new clients from its marketplace |
Things to check on each:
- What's in the free plan. Tuft's free plan includes deposits and email reminders but not unlimited texts. ShakeYourTail's free plan is limited to 100 clients.
- Fees to your clients. Tuft says owners who book through its app pay "a small convenience fee". Owners who book through your website widget, or by message or phone, don't.
- Fees on new clients. Fresha charges a fee on new clients who find you through its marketplace. Our Fresha pricing guide explains how it works.
- Card fees and terminals. These are usually separate from the monthly price.
- VAT. Not every page says whether VAT is included. Ask.
- Getting your data out. Ask how you'd export your client and dog records if you moved.
Most offer a free trial. Put a week's real bookings through it before you decide.
What owners check before they book
Dog grooming isn't licensed in England. The licensing regulations cover selling pets, boarding (including day care), horse hire, dog breeding and animals for exhibition, but not grooming (legislation.gov.uk). The RSPCA describes the industry as "currently unregulated" and gives owners a list of things to check when choosing a groomer:
- Qualifications. Groomers aren't required to have qualifications, but the RSPCA recommends using those that do, and names City and Guilds as the most recognised route.
- Trade membership, such as the British Dog Groomers' Association.
- Insurance to cover the dog in an emergency.
- Vaccinations. Whether you ask for proof.
- References and a police check.
- Clean, secure premises and enough staff per dog. The RSPCA notes that appointment-only grooming can mean each dog gets the time it needs.
- Special needs. Whether you'll discuss anxious dogs, sensitive skin or dogs who hate their paws touched.
Owners read this advice. Your website should answer it before they ask.
What your grooming website needs
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Services and prices | Full groom, bath and tidy, puppy intro, nails; prices by size or breed, or "from" prices |
| Book | Your online booking link, plus how to book a first visit |
| About | Qualifications, insurance, memberships, and photos of you and the salon or van |
| Your approach | How you handle nervous dogs, puppies and older dogs; appointment-only if you are |
| Policies | Vaccinations, deposits, cancellations, late collection, matted coats |
| Find us | Address or the areas a mobile groomer covers, parking, opening hours |
| Gallery | Before and after photos of real dogs, with the owner's permission |
New clients. Many groomers want to meet a dog before taking an online booking. Your booking system can handle this: let existing clients book online, and have new clients book a first visit or fill in a short form first.
Mobile groomers. List the towns you cover by name, and set your Google Business Profile up as a service area business, so you show for owners near you without showing your home address.
Getting found and getting reviews
When owners search "dog groomer near me", Google often shows a map of local groomers. Keep your Google Business Profile complete, with hours, services and photos, and ask every owner for a review after the groom. Our Google review link guide shows how.
Common questions
Is there free dog grooming software?
Yes. Tuft and ShakeYourTail both publish free plans, with limits. Check what's left out, especially text reminders.
Do I need a licence to groom dogs?
Not in England. Grooming isn't on the list of licensable animal activities. Boarding and day care are, so check if you offer those as well.
Do I need a website if I use booking software?
Not always. Most booking systems give you a booking page you can share. A website gives you room for prices, policies and the things owners check.
Where we help
We set up online booking for small businesses, including groomers, with booking rules, confirmations and reminders, starting with the system you already use. We also design and set up websites with your services, prices and policies clear on a phone.
Get Your Free Business Roadmap
Book a free 20-minute Google Meet, then receive a simple one-page plan: The tool that will work FOR you day & night.
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Monthly work from £375. Setup is quoted after the free call, once James knows what your business needs.