Already using BusyPaws?
Australian businesses switch to Petboost for transparent, predictable pricing
An honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide what's right for your Australian pet business.
The Facts at a Glance
BusyPaws
www.busypaws.app- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- USA
- Focus
- Pet sitting and dog walking
- Est. Customers
- Unknown
- Pricing
- $79-299 AUD/month
Double Fee Alert for Australian Businesses
- •$79-299 AUD/month subscription
- •US-based payment processing: 2.9-5%+ (vs Petboost localised 1.7% + $0.30)
Australian businesses pay expensive subscription AND higher international payment fees
Petboost
Built in Sydney- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Sydney, Australia
- Focus
- Multi-vertical pet services
- AU Presence
- Native (built in Sydney)
- Pricing
- $0/mo (waived at -+) + -
Consider BusyPaws only if
There are limited scenarios where BusyPaws may suit you better:
- US-based pet sitters and dog walkers
- Businesses focused purely on pet sitting/walking services
- Companies wanting dedicated pet sitting software
- Operations comfortable with US-based support
Petboost is the better choice if
Purpose-built for Australian pet businesses with a design-first approach our customers rave about:
- Australian pet businesses wanting local support and compliance
- Multi-service operators or those planning to expand
- Businesses wanting $0/month (waived at -+) transparent pricing
- Owners who value modern automation
From large daycares to solo groomers, businesses Australia-wide
Where Each Platform Excels
An honest look at how each platform handles key functionality.
Feature Comparison
BusyPaws vs Petboost
Pet Attributes Library
Pre-built tags for allergies, grooming prefs, behavioural traits
Petboost has comprehensive attribute library with customer self-service
Basic pet notes
2,000+ pre-built attributes with 8+ categories
Pet & Owner Profiles
Comprehensive profile hub with tabs for appointments, packages, sales, settings & paperwork
Petboost offers complete pet identity management with integrated packages, vaccinations & paperwork
Basic client profiles
8 organised tabs with per-customer policy overrides & collaborative management
Target Market
Primary focus
Pet sitting/walking
Multi-vertical pet services
Payment Processing
Transaction rates
US-based (international fees)
- (AU Stripe)
SMS
Text notifications
US phone format
AU-native (+61)
Support Timezone
Support hours
US timezone
AEST/AEDT
Multi-Service
Beyond sitting/walking
Sitting/walking focus
All verticals native
Feature Comparison BusyPaws vs Petboost | B BusyPaws | P Petboost🇦🇺Australian-Built |
|---|---|---|
Pet Attributes LibraryPre-built tags for allergies, grooming prefs, behavioural traits Petboost has comprehensive attribute library with customer self-service | Basic pet notes | 2,000+ pre-built attributes with 8+ categories |
Pet & Owner ProfilesComprehensive profile hub with tabs for appointments, packages, sales, settings & paperwork Petboost offers complete pet identity management with integrated packages, vaccinations & paperwork | Basic client profiles | 8 organised tabs with per-customer policy overrides & collaborative management |
Target MarketPrimary focus | Pet sitting/walking | Multi-vertical pet services |
Payment ProcessingTransaction rates | US-based (international fees) | - (AU Stripe) |
SMSText notifications | US phone format | AU-native (+61) |
Support TimezoneSupport hours | US timezone | AEST/AEDT |
Multi-ServiceBeyond sitting/walking | Sitting/walking focus | All verticals native |
Last updated: December 2025 • Based on publicly available information
Our Focused Approach
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:
| Feature | Status | Our Approach |
|---|---|---|
| GPS visit tracking | Focused elsewhere | Use Google Maps or dedicated GPS apps |
| Photo/video updates | Considering | Lower priority than core operations |
If any of these are dealbreakers today, BusyPaws may be better suited for your current needs.
Built for Australian Businesses
US-based software simply can't match these Australian-specific advantages.
Payment Processing
Processing
| Payment Processing | BusyPaws | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | US-based | AU Stripe (0.00%) |
SMS Functionality
Phone Format
| SMS Functionality | BusyPaws | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Format | US (+1) | AU (+61) native |
Real Cost Comparison
Based on typical Australian pet business transaction volumes.
* For illustrative purposes only, based on industry averages. Your actual costs may vary.
| Cost Type | BusyPaws | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription | $79-299 AUD/month | $0 |
| Payment Processing | Standard rates | AU Stripe (0.00%) |
You're paying twice with BusyPaws
$79-299 AUD/month subscription, plus us-based payment processing: 2.9-5%+ (vs petboost localised 1.7% + $0.30). With Petboost, you pay $0/month (waived at -+ volume) and competitive AU payment processing rates.
What You Keep Instead of Paying in Fees
$948-3,588/year in subscription alone/year
Based on $500K GMV, 80% online transactions
* For illustrative purposes only, based on industry averages. Your actual savings may vary.
Pricing Calculator
See exactly what you'll pay with Business
-/month + - transaction fee. Hit -/month and the subscription is waived. Unlike competitors, you can pass fees to customers.
Petboost Business
Hit -/month and your monthly fee is waived
Typical Competitor
Fixed costs regardless of revenue
SMS Included
~3 SMS per appointment included (confirmation, reminder, receipt). That's 300 messages worth $72-$120 based on retail mass SMS product rates for 3-4 segment messages (non-wholesale pricing).
Smart Onboarding
Automated magic onboarding (like Gingr, MoeGo) for Customers & Pets is free. Optional guided onboarding & data cleaning starts at $0 to ~$600 depending on your data, obligation free. See our onboarding options.
Your Savings
Save $681+ per month compared to typical competitors.
* Estimates based on 100 transactions averaging $100 each. Actual costs vary based on transaction volume and average ticket size.
From solo operators to
multi-van fleets
Petboost scales with you. Whether you're a one-person mobile groomer or running a large facility with multiple staff and spaces.
Solo Superstars
One-person operations with streamlined scheduling and automated payments.
- 1-tap booking management
- Automated invoicing & receipts
- After-hours self-service booking
- SMS reminders on autopilot
Growing Teams
3-10 staff with resource management, shared calendars, and team coordination.
- Multi-staff scheduling
- Per-resource capacity limits
- Team permissions & roles
- Shared customer database
Large Operations
Dog walking van fleets, multi-space facilities, and high-volume businesses.
- Fleet/van management
- Multi-space capacity tracking
- Volume pricing available
- Advanced automation rules
Making the Switch
It's easier than you think. Here's what to expect if you decide to move from BusyPaws.
Migration Complexity
Customer Data
Export and import assistance provided
Timeline
2-3 weeks typical
Keep Your Existing Hardware
If you're using a Stripe WisePOS-E terminal with BusyPaws, you can bring it across to Petboost. No new equipment needed.
We're here to help. We provide migration assistance for businesses switching from BusyPaws.
Contact us for a migration assessmentWhich Is Right for Your Business?
BusyPaws may suit you if:
- You're US-based
- You're purely pet sitting/walking
- GPS and visit tracking are essential
Petboost is the better choice if:
- You're an Australian business
- You want to earn $0/month (waived at -+)
- You're multi-service or planning to expand
- Payment processing costs matter
From 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.
BusyPaws vs Petboost FAQs
Common questions about switching and comparing these platforms.
Ready to see Petboost in action?
Start your 14-day free trial, then activate Business Pro for 0 days with 0% Petboost fees. Only pay Stripe processing fees.
Last verified: 10th December 2025 | Pricing and features sourced from www.busypaws.app
Found an error? Let us know and we'll correct it promptly.
BusyPaws® is a registered trademark of its respective owners. This comparison is based on publicly available information and is not affiliated with or endorsed by BusyPaws.