Already using Pawfinity?
Australian businesses save up to ~$3,550-4,200/year
An honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide what's right for your Australian pet business.
The Facts at a Glance
Pawfinity
www.pawfinity.com- Founded
- ~2008-2009
- Headquarters
- USA
- Focus
- Multi-vertical pet services (grooming, kennel, daycare, etc)
- Est. Customers
- Unknown (in 12 countries)
- Pricing
- Monthly subscription ($55-110 USD/month)
Double Fee Alert for Australian Businesses
- •$55-110 USD/month subscription (plus 2% FX fees for Australian payments)
- •US-based payment processing: 2.9-5%+ (vs Petboost localised 1.7% + $0.30)
Australian businesses pay subscription with FX fees AND inflated payment processing
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 Pawfinity only if
There are limited scenarios where Pawfinity may suit you better:
- Mobile groomers needing route optimisation (Mapping & Routes)
- Businesses wanting built-in inventory management
- Operations needing time clock and payroll features
- US-based businesses wanting local support
- QuickBooks users (native integration)
- Those who prefer fixed monthly subscription pricing
- Multi-vertical operations from day one
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 wanting to avoid monthly subscription fees
- Businesses wanting lower payment processing rates (AU Stripe)
- Owners who value granular automation control (5 settings)
- Training businesses needing native course management
- Anyone wanting SMS Payment Links (one-tap payment via SMS)
- Xero users (vs QuickBooks)
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 Pawfinity vs Petboost | P Pawfinity | P Petboost🇦🇺Australian-Built |
|---|---|---|
Online BookingCustomer self-service appointment scheduling Both strong online booking systems | Advanced Online Booking | Self-service booking portal |
SchedulingBusiness calendar and appointment management Both have smart scheduling capabilities | Booking Genius (AI-assisted) | Magic Schedule + Quick Force dual modes |
Payment ProcessingTransaction rates Petboost optimised for Australian rates | 2.9-5%+ (with intl fees) | - (AU Stripe) |
SMS Payment LinksOne-tap payment links via SMS Petboost differentiator: one-tap payment links via SMS | ||
Route OptimisationMobile route planning with traffic Pawfinity strength: Mapping & Routes + Precision Location | ||
Inventory ManagementRetail stock tracking and POS Pawfinity has full inventory system | ||
Time Clock/PayrollEmployee time tracking and payroll Pawfinity has built-in employee management | ||
Course ManagementTraining course lifecycle Petboost has purpose-built course management | Basic (as appointments) | Native courses with templates/instances |
Package ManagementPrepaid package credits Petboost more customer-friendly for package purchases | Credit packages available | Self-service 24/7 purchase + coffee-card tracking |
AutomationWorkflow automation levels Petboost offers more control over automation | Standard automation | 5 automation settings |
SMS/NotificationsAppointment reminders and alerts Petboost better for AU numbers | 2-way SMS (US-focused) | AU-native SMS (+61) |
Accounting IntegrationFinancial software sync Petboost via Stripe bank feeds; Pawfinity has direct QuickBooks | QuickBooks Connect | Stripe (bank feeds to Xero) |
Review ManagementCustomer review collection Pawfinity has Review Booster today | 🚧 Coming | |
Document StorageDigital paperwork and files Both support secure document storage | ||
Multi-LocationMultiple business locations Neither fully supports multi-location currently | Contact for options | 🚧 Coming 2026 |
Mobile AppMobile access Similar web-based mobile approach | Modern App (web-based) | Pet owner + business full screen web apps |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Route optimisation | Focused elsewhere | Use Google Maps or dedicated routing apps |
| Inventory management | Focused elsewhere | Use Xero or dedicated inventory software |
| Time clock/payroll | Focused elsewhere | Use Deputy, Xero, or dedicated HR software |
| Review booster | Coming | Use Google review links directly for now |
| Multi-location management | FY26 | Single-location focus first to nail the core experience |
| QuickBooks integration | Focused elsewhere | Xero is the Australian standard; use Xero instead |
If any of these are dealbreakers today, Pawfinity 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 | Pawfinity | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Card-Not-Present Rate | 2.9-5%+ (with intl fees) | - |
| SMS Payment Links | ❌ Not available | ✅ 3.1% + $0.60 |
| Monthly Subscription | $55-110 USD/month | $0/month (waived at -+) |
| FX Fees (for AUD) | 2% on subscription | $0 (AUD native) |
| SMS Functionality | Pawfinity | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment Reminders | ✅ 2-way SMS | ✅ Native AU support |
| Payment Alerts | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| SMS Payment Links | ❌ Not available | ✅ One-tap payment via SMS |
| Included Credits | Up to 250/month (Royal) | Pay-per-use |
| AU Number Compatibility | Works (international) | Native +61 support |
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 | Pawfinity | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Subscription (USD) | ~$660-1,320 USD | $0 |
| Subscription FX Fees (~2%) | ~$13-26 | $0 |
| Payment Processing (est. 2.9-5%+ with intl fees vs 1.7% on $240K) | ~$6,960 | ~$4,080 |
| Total Annual Cost | ~$7,633-8,306 | ~$4,080 |
You're paying twice with Pawfinity
$55-110 USD/month subscription (plus 2% FX fees for Australian payments), 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
~$3,550-4,200/year/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 Pawfinity.
Migration Complexity
Customer Data
Standard data export; import assistance provided
Booking History
Not imported; fresh start in Petboost
Package Balances
Credit balances can be migrated
Inventory Data
Not applicable; Petboost does not have inventory. Keep in separate system (e.g., Xero)
Timeline
2-3 weeks typical; straightforward transition
Keep Your Existing Hardware
If you're using a Stripe WisePOS-E terminal with Pawfinity, you can bring it across to Petboost. No new equipment needed.
We're here to help. We provide migration assistance for businesses switching from Pawfinity.
Contact us for a migration assessmentWhich Is Right for Your Business?
Pawfinity may suit you if:
- Route optimisation is essential for your mobile grooming business
- You need built-in inventory management for retail sales
- Time clock and payroll features are important
- You are US-based and want local support
- QuickBooks is your accounting software
- You prefer fixed monthly subscription pricing
- You're satisfied with your current setup and change isn't needed
Petboost is the better choice if:
- You're an Australian business wanting local support
- Payment processing costs matter to your bottom line
- You want to earn $0/month (waived at -+) (pay only when you earn)
- You value granular automation control
- You need native course management for training
- SMS Payment Links are important for your workflow
- You prefer Xero for accounting
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.
Pawfinity 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: 16th December 2025 | Pricing and features sourced from www.pawfinity.com
Found an error? Let us know and we'll correct it promptly.
Pawfinity® is a registered trademark of its respective owners. This comparison is based on publicly available information and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pawfinity.