Already using Square Appointments?
Australian businesses save up to Pet-specific features vs $1,200/year additional cost
An honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide what's right for your Australian pet business.
Why businesses choose Petboost
Purpose-built for Australian pet businesses. No compromises.
Built for Australian Businesses
AUD pricing, GST-ready, No FX Fees
1 system, 1 plan, multi-category
Grooming, daycare, boarding, walking, training. All included.
All on one plan. No add-ons.
Most actions in 1-2 clicks!
Minimal digging. No endless menus
Easy for Pet Owners
Avg. time to book less than 2 min
The Facts at a Glance
Square Appointments
squareup.com/au/en/appointments- Founded
- 2014
- Headquarters
- USA (Block, Inc.)
- Focus
- Generic appointment scheduling
- Est. Customers
- Unknown (part of Square ecosystem)
- Pricing
- Free tier + paid plans ($0-90 AUD/month)
Petboost
Built in Sydney- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Sydney, Australia
- Focus
- Multi-vertical pet services
- AU Presence
- Native (built in Sydney)
- Pricing
- $65-240/mo + 1.2-1.4%or $0 with card volume*
*Subscription waived as a bonus reward: Pro at $7,500+/mo, Max at $20,000+/mo in card payments
Built for Australian Businesses
US-based software simply can't match these Australian-specific advantages.
Payment Processing
In-Person (Tap)
Online
Monthly Subscription
| Payment Processing | Square Appointments | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| In-Person (Tap) | 1.6% + $0.20 | 1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee |
| Online | 2.2% + $0.30 | 1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee |
| Monthly Subscription | $0-69 AUD/month | $65/month (waived at $7,500+ in card payments) |
SMS Functionality
SMS Bundling
2-Way Messaging
SMS Customisation
Dedicated Phone Number
SMS Payment Links
Currency
Pet-Specific Features
| SMS Functionality | Square Appointments | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| SMS Bundling | ✅ Bundled in all plans. No per-message charges (AUD) | ✅ Included with Business Pro & Max plans |
| 2-Way Messaging | ❌ Not available in Australia. Square Messages is US-only | ✅ Messaging Pro add-on with dedicated AU number |
| SMS Customisation | ⚠️ Plus/Premium only ($40-90 AUD/mo). Free plan: reminders only | ✅ Full customisation on paid plans |
| Dedicated Phone Number | ❌ No. Sends from system sender ID. Clients cannot reply | ✅ Australian number with Messaging Pro |
| SMS Payment Links | ❌ Not available via SMS | ✅ One-tap payment via SMS |
| Currency | ✅ AUD (Square AU site) | AUD |
| Pet-Specific Features | ❌ No pet profiles, attributes, or vaccination tracking | ✅ 2,000+ pet attributes, vaccination alerts |
Consider Square Appointments only if
There are limited scenarios where Square Appointments may suit you better:
- New pet businesses testing viability
- Businesses already invested in Square ecosystem (POS, hardware)
- Very simple operations (solo, few services)
- Those wanting familiar brand with AU presence
Petboost?
Purpose-built for Australian pet businesses with a design-first approach our customers rave about:
- Pet businesses needing pet-specific workflows
- Multi-service operators (grooming + walking + daycare + training)
- Businesses wanting $65/month (waived at $7,500+ in card payments) with competitive transaction fees
- Operations needing pet profiles, packages, and courses
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
Square Appointments vs Petboost
Pet Owner Booking Experience
Self-service booking flow
Petboost understands pets and their requirements; Square treats all appointments the same
Generic client booking (not pet-aware)
Passwordless phone login, progressive info collection, pet-aware eligibility filtering
Booking Engine
Appointment scheduling
Petboost understands pets
Generic scheduling
Pet-aware Magic Availability Check
Pet Profiles
Pet-specific data storage
Key differentiator
Pet & Owner Profiles
Comprehensive profile hub with tabs for appointments, packages, sales, settings & paperwork
Acuity focuses on scheduling; lacks comprehensive pet/owner profile management
Generic appointment history only
8 organised tabs with per-customer policy overrides & collaborative management
Owner/Pet Linking
Multiple pets per owner
Petboost designed for this
Package Credits
Prepaid packages
Petboost more advanced
Basic
Self-service 24/7 purchase
Course Management
Training courses
Petboost has training courses
Payment Processing (Tap)
In-person payments
Square slightly cheaper for tap
1.6% + $0.20
1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee
Payment Processing (Online)
Card-not-present
Petboost cheaper for online
2.2% + $0.30
1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee
POS Hardware
Terminal options
Square more options
🔗 Stripe Terminal
Multi-Location
Multiple locations
Square ahead currently
Yes (Premium)
Feature Comparison Square Appointments vs Petboost | S Square Appointments | P Petboost🇦🇺Australian-Built |
|---|---|---|
Pet Owner Booking ExperienceSelf-service booking flow Petboost understands pets and their requirements; Square treats all appointments the same | Generic client booking (not pet-aware) | Passwordless phone login, progressive info collection, pet-aware eligibility filtering |
Booking EngineAppointment scheduling Petboost understands pets | Generic scheduling | Pet-aware Magic Availability Check |
Pet ProfilesPet-specific data storage Key differentiator | ||
Pet & Owner ProfilesComprehensive profile hub with tabs for appointments, packages, sales, settings & paperwork Acuity focuses on scheduling; lacks comprehensive pet/owner profile management | Generic appointment history only | 8 organised tabs with per-customer policy overrides & collaborative management |
Owner/Pet LinkingMultiple pets per owner Petboost designed for this | ❌ Manual | ✅ Automatic |
Package CreditsPrepaid packages Petboost more advanced | Basic | Self-service 24/7 purchase |
Course ManagementTraining courses Petboost has training courses | ||
Payment Processing (Tap)In-person payments Square slightly cheaper for tap | 1.6% + $0.20 | 1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee |
Payment Processing (Online)Card-not-present Petboost cheaper for online | 2.2% + $0.30 | 1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee |
POS HardwareTerminal options Square more options | ✅ Square hardware | 🔗 Stripe Terminal |
Multi-LocationMultiple locations Square ahead currently | Yes (Premium) | 🚧 Coming 2026 |
Last updated: January 2026 • 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Square POS integration | Focused elsewhere | Use Stripe Terminal instead |
| Square hardware | Focused elsewhere | Use Stripe Terminal hardware |
| Multi-location | FY26 | Square supports today |
If any of these are dealbreakers today, Square Appointments may be better suited for your current needs.
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 | Square Appointments | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Software (Plus tier) | $420 AUD | $780/year (waived at $7,500+/mo) |
| In-person ($45K at 1.6% vs 1.7%) | ~$810 AUD | ~$855 (1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee) |
| Online ($105K at 2.2% vs 1.7%) | ~$2,625 AUD | ~$2,100 (1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee) |
| Petboost Booking Fee (on $150K GMV) | N/A (included above) | ~$2,100 (1.2-1.4%) |
| Total Annual (incl. transaction fees) | ~$3,855 AUD | ~$5,055 |
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.
Which plan is right for you?
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.
💡 Consider Business Max
At 100 bookings/month, Pro would cost $45/month (including $0 in overage fees). Max costs $45/month, which is $0/month more but includes unlimited appointments.
Business Pro
Hit -/month in card payments and your monthly fee is waived
Hidden Costs of Non-Card Payments
$408/mo20 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
Generous SMS Limits
Pro includes 0 SMS/month, Max includes 0. Most businesses never hit these limits. You've set 300 SMS/month. You'll need 3 SMS Power-Up Packs ($45).
When to Upgrade
At your current revenue, Business Max becomes better value at ∞ appointments/month. You're at 100. Pro includes $0 in overage fees, but is still $0 cheaper than Max.
Your Savings
Save $636+ per month compared to typical competitors.
Quick Plan Comparison
Business Pro
- • -/month (waived at -+ card payment volume)
- • 0 appointments included
- • -/appointment after 0
- • 0 SMS/month included
- • - transaction fee
Business Max
- • -/month (waived at -+ card payment volume)
- • Unlimited appointments
- • No per-appointment overage fees
- • 0 SMS/month included
- • - transaction fee
Both 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.
Calculate your potential savings
Enter your business numbers and compare total costs including international card and currency conversion fees.
Cost Comparison Calculator
See exactly what you save with Petboost
Square Appointments
Single location, basic features
Petboost
If platform fee passed to customers: $0/mo
Annual savings: $2,640
Compared to Square Appointments Free at 100 transactions/month
Square Appointments pricing from their pricing page. Verified 2026-03-22.
From solo operators to
multi-van fleets
Petboost fits your business. 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 Square Appointments.
Migration Complexity
Customer Data
Export from Square
Hardware
Square hardware won't work; need Stripe Terminal
Timeline
2-3 weeks typical
Keep Your Existing Hardware
If you're using a Stripe WisePOS-E terminal with Square Appointments, you can bring it across to Petboost. No new equipment needed.
We're here to help. We provide migration assistance for businesses switching from Square Appointments.
Contact us for a migration assessmentWhich Is Right for Your Business?
Square Appointments may suit you if:
- You're invested in Square hardware/ecosystem
- You use Square POS, banking, or other Square products
- Your operations are simple (no packages, courses, multi-pet)
- You trust the Square brand
Petboost?
- You need pet profiles and pet/owner relationships
- Package management is important
- You run training courses
- You want lower online payment fees
- You're Australian and want local support
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.
Honest about change
The little bit of pain is generally 4 to 6 weeks. Then it clicks.
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.
Square Appointments vs Petboost FAQs
Common questions about switching and comparing these platforms.
Explore Petboost by Service Type
Purpose-built features for every type of pet business.
Ready to see Petboost in action?
Start your 14-day free trial, then activate Business Pro for 21 days with 0% Petboost fees. Only pay Stripe processing fees.
Last verified: 22nd March 2026 | Pricing and features sourced from squareup.com/au/en/appointments
Found an error? Let us know and we'll correct it promptly.
Square Appointments® is a registered trademark of its respective owners. This comparison is based on publicly available information and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Square Appointments.