An honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide what's right for your Australian pet business.
Pet Sitter Plus is a sitting specialist with real key management, and it charges per active staff member. Petboost is flat per business with no per-seat fee, which works out cheaper as you hire. If key tracking is the heart of your operation, buy theirs. If you're growing, you shouldn't have to re-price your software every time someone joins.
No - Petboost includes native AU SMS.
Pet Sitter Plus notifies clients by email and through the client portal and online visit reports; it does not advertise SMS text messaging (its in-app messaging is listed as "in development"). Every Petboost Business plan includes SMS reminders, confirmations and alerts sent from local Australian infrastructure, plus optional 2-way SMS with your own dedicated Australian number.
Flat vs per-active-staff.
Pet Sitter Plus charges $39/month + $20 per active staff (AUD), so your bill grows as your team grows (currently 50% off for the first 12 months). Petboost is a flat per-business plan with no per-seat fees and unlimited team members, and the subscription is waived entirely once you process $7,500+/month in card payments through Stripe.
Yes - we handle the migration.
Export your customers, pets, services and packages from Pet Sitter Plus and our team imports them for you, including vaccination records. You set up your live schedule fresh (usually 2-4 hours) and we guide you through onboarding. Most businesses are up and running within 2-3 weeks.
Purpose-built for Australian pet businesses. No compromises.
Reminders, confirmations and 2-way texts Pet Sitter Plus simply does not offer.
No $20-per-active-staff fee. Unlimited team members on every plan.
All on one plan. No add-ons.
Earn $0/month once you process $7,500+/mo in card payments.
Grooming, daycare, boarding, training and courses with Sydney-based AEST support.
*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 Sitter Plus | Petboost |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Processor | Your own Stripe or PayPal account | Integrated Stripe (AU) with quick 2-5 min setup |
| Processing Fees | Stripe/PayPal standard rates (you pay your own; no Pet Sitter Plus fee) | AU Stripe 1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee |
| Monthly Subscription | $39/mo + $20 per active staff (AUD) | $65/month (waived at $7,500+ in card payments) |
| Per-Staff Fees | $20/mo per active staff member | ✅ $0 - unlimited team members |
| Path to $0 Subscription | ❌ None - subscription always applies | ✅ Waived at $7,500+/mo in card payments |
| SMS Payment Links | ❌ Not available (no SMS) | ✅ One-tap payment via SMS |
| SMS Functionality | Pet Sitter Plus | Petboost |
|---|---|---|
| SMS / Text Reminders | ❌ Not offered. Email templates + client portal only | ✅ Included on every Business plan |
| SMS Availability in Australia | ❌ No SMS product at all | ✅ Native AU support via Sinch Australia infrastructure |
| 2-Way Messaging | ⚠️ In-app messaging listed as "in development" (not live); no SMS | ✅ Communications Booster add-on with dedicated AU number |
| Dedicated Phone Number | ❌ No | ✅ Australian number with Communications Booster |
| SMS Payment Links | ❌ Not available | ✅ One-tap payment via SMS |
| Bulk SMS Announcements | ❌ Not available | ✅ Bulk SMS with templates |
| Client Notifications | Email templates, client portal & online visit reports | SMS + email reminders, confirmations & alerts |
| Support & Service | Pet Sitter Plus | Petboost |
|---|---|---|
| Support Cost | ✅ Free unlimited 1:1 support & coaching | ✅ Free guided onboarding & support |
| Support Timezone | UK, USA & AUS/NZ staff (hours depend on your timezone) | Sydney, AEST business hours |
| Onboarding | Dedicated software coach + free coaching sessions | Guided onboarding + hands-on migration assistance |
| Data Residency | AWS in Asia/Europe/USA (no AU region stated) | Australian data residency (Enterprise) |
| Contracts & Lock-In | Pet Sitter Plus | Petboost |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Contract | ✅ None - one calendar month, cancel anytime | ✅ None - cancel anytime |
| Free Trial | 30-day free trial | 14-day free trial |
| Credit Card for Trial | ✅ Not required | ✅ Not required |
| Current Promotion | 50% off for the first 12 months | Subscription waived at card-payment volume (ongoing) |
There are limited scenarios where Pet Sitter Plus may suit you better:
Purpose-built for Australian pet businesses with a design-first approach our customers rave about:
An honest look at how each platform handles key functionality.
Pet Sitter Plus vs Petboost
Which pet-business verticals the software covers
Pet Sitter Plus is sitting and walking first; grooming and training are not supported. Petboost is multi-vertical.
Dog walking, pet sitting, home boarding, daycare, overnights
Grooming, daycare, boarding, walking, sitting, training & courses
How the subscription is charged
Pet Sitter Plus charges per active staff, so cost climbs as your team grows. Petboost is flat with unlimited team members.
$39/mo + $20 per active staff (AUD), capped at 25
Flat per business, no per-seat fees ($65/mo (waived at $7,500+ in card payments))
Text reminders, confirmations and alerts
Pet Sitter Plus does not advertise SMS; its in-app messaging is listed as "in development". Petboost includes SMS on every Business plan.
Native AU SMS reminders, confirmations & alerts included
How card payments are processed
Both use Stripe. Pet Sitter Plus adds no booking fee. Petboost adds a booking fee, and once your card volume passes $7,500+ a month it pays your whole subscription for you.
Your own Stripe or PayPal account (you pay their rates; no Pet Sitter Plus fee)
Integrated AU Stripe: 1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee
Location tracking during visits
Both capture GPS at check-in and checkout. Neither advertises continuous live-route tracking.
GPS check-in/out + map-based activity monitoring & late/short-visit alerts
GPS check-in/checkout + photo locations on Magic Map
Tracking physical client keys for in-home visits
Pet Sitter Plus has purpose-built physical key tracking for in-home sitters; Petboost does not.
Timesheets and payroll preparation
Pet Sitter Plus has deeper built-in staff pay and timesheet tooling; Petboost hands payroll to accounting software.
Timesheets, per-service staff pay & tips, time-off approvals
Team scheduling & performance reports (payroll via Xero/MYOB)
Self-service booking flow for pet owners
Both offer online client booking. Petboost uses passwordless login; Pet Sitter Plus uses a portal account.
Branded client portal (mobile web) with online booking & payments
Passwordless phone login, 24/7 self-service booking in under 2 minutes
Pet data, tags and vaccination tracking
Both track pets and vaccinations. Petboost adds a large attribute library and per-customer policy overrides.
Client & pet profiles with custom fields & vaccination tracking
2,000+ pre-built attributes, 8-tab profiles, vaccination compliance alerts
Dedicated iOS/Android apps
Neither advertises native iOS or Android apps; both run in the browser.
Cloud/web app, fully responsive (no native app)
Mobile-optimised web (no native app)
Training courses and group classes
Petboost has purpose-built course management; Pet Sitter Plus does not cover training.
Native courses (puppy school, group training, workshops)
Prepaid credits and recurring memberships
Petboost offers prepaid packages and recurring memberships with pet-owner self-service.
Not advertised
Self-service 24/7 package purchase + memberships with Stripe billing
Sync to accounting software
Pet Sitter Plus syncs QuickBooks Online today; Petboost syncs Xero and exports for QuickBooks and MYOB.
QuickBooks Online (live); Xero on roadmap
Xero bank feed sync + CSV export for QuickBooks & MYOB
Business analytics
Both have strong reporting. Petboost adds forecasting, geographic intelligence and an AI business assistant.
Full reporting suite (revenue, tax, unpaid invoices, staff pay, client stats)
50+ InsightCards, forecasting, geographic intelligence, AI assistant
How and where support is delivered
Pet Sitter Plus offers free unlimited support with some AUS/NZ staff; Petboost is fully AEST-based.
Free unlimited 1:1 support & coaching; staff across UK, USA & AUS/NZ
Sydney-based team, AEST hours, free guided onboarding
Feature Comparison Pet Sitter Plus vs Petboost | P Pet Sitter Plus | P PetboostAustralian-Built |
|---|---|---|
Service Types SupportedWhich pet-business verticals the software covers Pet Sitter Plus is sitting and walking first; grooming and training are not supported. Petboost is multi-vertical. | Dog walking, pet sitting, home boarding, daycare, overnights | Grooming, daycare, boarding, walking, sitting, training & courses |
Pricing ModelHow the subscription is charged Pet Sitter Plus charges per active staff, so cost climbs as your team grows. Petboost is flat with unlimited team members. | $39/mo + $20 per active staff (AUD), capped at 25 | Flat per business, no per-seat fees ($65/mo (waived at $7,500+ in card payments)) |
SMS / Text MessagingText reminders, confirmations and alerts Pet Sitter Plus does not advertise SMS; its in-app messaging is listed as "in development". Petboost includes SMS on every Business plan. | ❌ No SMS (email templates + client portal only) | Native AU SMS reminders, confirmations & alerts included |
PaymentsHow card payments are processed Both use Stripe. Pet Sitter Plus adds no booking fee. Petboost adds a booking fee, and once your card volume passes $7,500+ a month it pays your whole subscription for you. | Your own Stripe or PayPal account (you pay their rates; no Pet Sitter Plus fee) | Integrated AU Stripe: 1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee |
GPS TrackingLocation tracking during visits Both capture GPS at check-in and checkout. Neither advertises continuous live-route tracking. | GPS check-in/out + map-based activity monitoring & late/short-visit alerts | GPS check-in/checkout + photo locations on Magic Map |
Key ManagementTracking physical client keys for in-home visits Pet Sitter Plus has purpose-built physical key tracking for in-home sitters; Petboost does not. | ✅ Key management incl. required-keys list | ❌ No dedicated key tracking |
Staff Time & PayTimesheets and payroll preparation Pet Sitter Plus has deeper built-in staff pay and timesheet tooling; Petboost hands payroll to accounting software. | Timesheets, per-service staff pay & tips, time-off approvals | Team scheduling & performance reports (payroll via Xero/MYOB) |
Pet Owner Booking ExperienceSelf-service booking flow for pet owners Both offer online client booking. Petboost uses passwordless login; Pet Sitter Plus uses a portal account. | Branded client portal (mobile web) with online booking & payments | Passwordless phone login, 24/7 self-service booking in under 2 minutes |
Pet Attributes & ProfilesPet data, tags and vaccination tracking Both track pets and vaccinations. Petboost adds a large attribute library and per-customer policy overrides. | Client & pet profiles with custom fields & vaccination tracking | 2,000+ pre-built attributes, 8-tab profiles, vaccination compliance alerts |
Native Mobile AppsDedicated iOS/Android apps Neither advertises native iOS or Android apps; both run in the browser. | Cloud/web app, fully responsive (no native app) | Mobile-optimised web (no native app) |
Course & Class ManagementTraining courses and group classes Petboost has purpose-built course management; Pet Sitter Plus does not cover training. | ❌ Not supported (no training vertical) | Native courses (puppy school, group training, workshops) |
Packages & MembershipsPrepaid credits and recurring memberships Petboost offers prepaid packages and recurring memberships with pet-owner self-service. | Not advertised | Self-service 24/7 package purchase + memberships with Stripe billing |
Accounting IntegrationSync to accounting software Pet Sitter Plus syncs QuickBooks Online today; Petboost syncs Xero and exports for QuickBooks and MYOB. | QuickBooks Online (live); Xero on roadmap | Xero bank feed sync + CSV export for QuickBooks & MYOB |
Reporting & IntelligenceBusiness analytics Both have strong reporting. Petboost adds forecasting, geographic intelligence and an AI business assistant. | Full reporting suite (revenue, tax, unpaid invoices, staff pay, client stats) | 50+ InsightCards, forecasting, geographic intelligence, AI assistant |
Support & TimezoneHow and where support is delivered Pet Sitter Plus offers free unlimited support with some AUS/NZ staff; Petboost is fully AEST-based. | Free unlimited 1:1 support & coaching; staff across UK, USA & AUS/NZ | Sydney-based team, AEST hours, free guided onboarding |
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:
Pet Sitter Plus has dedicated key tracking (with a required-keys list) for in-home sitters. Petboost does not.
Use dedicated payroll software (Xero, MYOB). Pet Sitter Plus has built-in per-service staff pay and timesheets.
We capture GPS at check-in, checkout and from photo EXIF data (Magic Map). We do not record the full walking route.
Both platforms are currently browser-based. Native iOS/Android apps are on our consideration list.
| Feature | Status | Our Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Physical key management | Focused elsewhere | Pet Sitter Plus has dedicated key tracking (with a required-keys list) for in-home sitters. Petboost does not. |
| Staff pay & timesheets | Focused elsewhere | Use dedicated payroll software (Xero, MYOB). Pet Sitter Plus has built-in per-service staff pay and timesheets. |
| Continuous GPS route tracking | Focused elsewhere | We capture GPS at check-in, checkout and from photo EXIF data (Magic Map). We do not record the full walking route. |
| Native mobile apps | Considering | Both platforms are currently browser-based. Native iOS/Android apps are on our consideration list. |
If any of these are dealbreakers today, Pet Sitter Plus 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 Sitter Plus | Petboost |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription Model | $39/mo + $20 per active staff | Flat, no per-seat fees |
| Annual Subscription (4 active staff) | ~$1,411 AUD ($118/mo) | $780/year (waived at $7,500+/mo) |
| Each extra active staff member | +$240/yr ($20/mo) | $0 (unlimited team) |
| Payments | Your own Stripe/PayPal (no added fee) | AU Stripe 1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee |
| Path to $0 subscription | None | Waived at $7,500+/mo |
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.
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 Sitter Plus.
Customer & Pet Data
Export from Pet Sitter Plus; we import customers, pets, services and packages.
Vaccination Records
Imported with pet profiles
Booking History
Not migrated; you set up your own schedule (typically 2-4 hours)
Timeline
2-3 weeks typical, usually a smooth transition
If you're using a Stripe WisePOS-E terminal with Pet Sitter Plus, 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 Sitter Plus.
Contact us for a migration assessmentStill 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 www.petsitterplus.com
Found an error? Let us know and we'll correct it promptly.
Pet Sitter Plus® 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 Sitter Plus.
From large daycares to solo groomers, businesses Australia-wide
From large daycares to solo groomers, businesses Australia-wide
