Already using Pet Manager?
Both Petboost and Pet Manager are Australian companies. Compare features, pricing, and workflows to find the right fit for your pet business.
An honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide what's right for your Australian pet business.
The Facts at a Glance
Pet Manager
www.petmanager.com.au- Founded
- ~2015
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Focus
- Pet boarding, cattery, daycare, grooming and training
- Est. Customers
- Unknown
- Pricing
- Monthly subscription (AUD, ex GST)
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
Consider Pet Manager only if
There are limited scenarios where Pet Manager may suit you better:
- Australian boarding kennels and catteries wanting local support
- Facilities focused on overnight boarding with pen/kennel management
- Businesses needing Xero accounting integration
- Pet resorts with complex pricing rules (seasons, animal types, customer types)
Petboost?
Purpose-built for Australian pet businesses with a design-first approach our customers rave about:
- Multi-service operators wanting a single modern platform
- Businesses wanting $65/month (waived at $7,500+ in card payments) transparent pricing
- Owners who value self-service pet owner portals and package management
- Training businesses needing native course management
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
Pet Manager vs Petboost
Pet Attributes Library
Pre-built tags for allergies, grooming prefs, behavioural traits
Petboost has a comprehensive attribute library; Pet Manager uses notes and fields
Basic pet notes and custom fields
2,000+ pre-built attributes with 8+ categories
Pet & Owner Profiles
Comprehensive profile hub with tabs for appointments, packages, sales, settings & paperwork
Both platforms have detailed records; Petboost adds package management and policy overrides
Customer records with address, contacts, vet info, booking/financial history
8 organised tabs with per-customer policy overrides & collaborative management
Online Booking
Customers book directly from your website
Both offer online booking; Pet Manager embeds a widget on your website
Magic Availability Check + Quick Create
Payment Processing
Transaction rates
Both use Stripe; Petboost offers Australian-optimised rates
Stripe integration (standard Stripe rates)
1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee (AU Stripe)
Scheduler/Calendar
Visual facility management
Pet Manager has a strong visual scheduler for boarding facilities
Resource-based capacity management
Multi-Service
Boarding + grooming + daycare + training + walking
Petboost has more dedicated service-specific workflows
Boarding, daycare, grooming and training (boarding-focused)
Full multi-vertical with dedicated workflows per service
Accounting Integration
Financial software sync
Pet Manager has a well-established Xero integration
Xero integration
SMS Notifications
Text notifications to clients
Pet Manager requires pre-purchased SMS credit packs; Petboost includes SMS
SMS via credit packs (pre-purchased)
AU-native (+61)
Course Management
Training courses and programs
Petboost has dedicated course management
Native courses with enrolment and scheduling
Package Management
Prepaid credits and bundles
Petboost has native package management
Self-service packages with visual credit tracking
Vaccination Tracking
Track and enforce vaccination requirements
Both support vaccination tracking
Invoicing
Invoice creation and management
Both support invoicing
Reporting
Business reporting and analytics
Pet Manager has comprehensive boarding-focused reporting
Business analytics and reporting
Split Bookings
Pet moves pens during a stay
Pet Manager supports split bookings for pen moves
Vouchers/Discounts
Discount codes and vouchers
Both support discount functionality
Multi-Site
Multiple business locations
Pet Manager supports multi-site on their highest tier
Coming FY26
Digital T&C Signing
Digital signature for terms and conditions
Both support digital document signing
Pet Postcards
Email updates with photos during stays
Similar concept: stay updates sent to pet owners
Report cards
Feature Comparison Pet Manager vs Petboost | P Pet Manager | P Petboost🇦🇺Australian-Built |
|---|---|---|
Pet Attributes LibraryPre-built tags for allergies, grooming prefs, behavioural traits Petboost has a comprehensive attribute library; Pet Manager uses notes and fields | Basic pet notes and custom fields | 2,000+ pre-built attributes with 8+ categories |
Pet & Owner ProfilesComprehensive profile hub with tabs for appointments, packages, sales, settings & paperwork Both platforms have detailed records; Petboost adds package management and policy overrides | Customer records with address, contacts, vet info, booking/financial history | 8 organised tabs with per-customer policy overrides & collaborative management |
Online BookingCustomers book directly from your website Both offer online booking; Pet Manager embeds a widget on your website | Magic Availability Check + Quick Create | |
Payment ProcessingTransaction rates Both use Stripe; Petboost offers Australian-optimised rates | Stripe integration (standard Stripe rates) | 1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee (AU Stripe) |
Scheduler/CalendarVisual facility management Pet Manager has a strong visual scheduler for boarding facilities | ✅ Visual pen scheduler with drag-and-drop, month/week views | Resource-based capacity management |
Multi-ServiceBoarding + grooming + daycare + training + walking Petboost has more dedicated service-specific workflows | Boarding, daycare, grooming and training (boarding-focused) | Full multi-vertical with dedicated workflows per service |
Accounting IntegrationFinancial software sync Pet Manager has a well-established Xero integration | ✅ Deep Xero integration (two-way sync) | Xero integration |
SMS NotificationsText notifications to clients Pet Manager requires pre-purchased SMS credit packs; Petboost includes SMS | SMS via credit packs (pre-purchased) | AU-native (+61) |
Course ManagementTraining courses and programs Petboost has dedicated course management | Native courses with enrolment and scheduling | |
Package ManagementPrepaid credits and bundles Petboost has native package management | Self-service packages with visual credit tracking | |
Vaccination TrackingTrack and enforce vaccination requirements Both support vaccination tracking | ✅ With expiry tracking, reminders, and PDF/image uploads | |
InvoicingInvoice creation and management Both support invoicing | ✅ With automatic cost calculation and email delivery | |
ReportingBusiness reporting and analytics Pet Manager has comprehensive boarding-focused reporting | ✅ Extensive (occupancy, financial, dietary, medical, booking deposits) | Business analytics and reporting |
Split BookingsPet moves pens during a stay Pet Manager supports split bookings for pen moves | ||
Vouchers/DiscountsDiscount codes and vouchers Both support discount functionality | ✅ With dollar/percentage discounts, usage limits, and voucher codes | |
Multi-SiteMultiple business locations Pet Manager supports multi-site on their highest tier | ✅ Up to 3 sites on Multi-Site plan | Coming FY26 |
Digital T&C SigningDigital signature for terms and conditions Both support digital document signing | ✅ Print or digitally sign on tablet/phone | |
Pet PostcardsEmail updates with photos during stays Similar concept: stay updates sent to pet owners | ✅ Pet Postcards with photos and stay updates | Report cards |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Visual pen/kennel scheduler | Considering | Petboost uses resource capacity management rather than a visual pen scheduler |
| Multi-location | FY26 | Single-location focus for now |
| Split bookings (pen moves during stay) | Considering | Not currently supported |
| Xero two-way sync depth | Considering | Petboost has Xero integration; Pet Manager has deeper two-way sync with overpayments and credit notes |
If any of these are dealbreakers today, Pet Manager 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
Processor
Card Fee
Booking Fee
Online Payments
| Payment Processing | Pet Manager | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Stripe | AU Stripe |
| Card Fee | Standard Stripe rates | 1.7% + $0.3 |
| Booking Fee | Included in subscription | 1.2-1.4% |
| Online Payments | Via Stripe integration | Native AU Stripe integration |
SMS Functionality
Delivery
Phone Format
Automated SMS
| SMS Functionality | Pet Manager | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | SMS credit packs (pre-purchased) | Included in platform |
| Phone Format | AU (+61) | AU (+61) native |
| Automated SMS | Automated reminders (credits required) | Automated lifecycle SMS included |
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 | Pet Manager | Petboost🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription (Starter) | $65 AUD/month (up to 10 pens/places) | $65/mo (or $0 at $7,500+/mo) |
| Monthly Subscription (Standard) | $85 AUD/month (up to 30 pens/places) | $65/mo (or $0 at $7,500+/mo) |
| Monthly Subscription (Deluxe) | $110 AUD/month (unlimited) | $65/mo (or $0 at $7,500+/mo) |
| Monthly Subscription (Multi-Site) | $270 AUD/month (up to 3 sites) | $65/mo (or $0 at $7,500+/mo) |
| Payment Processing | Standard Stripe rates | AU Stripe (1.7% + $0.3 + 1.2-1.4% booking fee) |
| SMS | Pre-purchased credit packs (additional cost) | Included |
| Petboost Booking Fee | N/A | 1.2-1.4% on card payments |
What Could You Save?
Calculate your 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.
How much customers pay you via card
Appointments you expect each month
Reminders and notifications sent
💡 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
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 100 transactions averaging $100 each, 100 appointments, and 300 SMS. Actual costs vary based on transaction volume, average ticket size, appointments, and SMS usage.
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 Pet Manager.
Migration Complexity
Customer & Pet Data
Petboost supports direct Pet Manager CSV imports for customers and pets
Booking History
Historical records can be imported with assistance
Timeline
1-2 weeks typical with CSV import support
Keep Your Existing Hardware
If you're using a Stripe WisePOS-E terminal with Pet Manager, 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 Manager.
Contact us for a migration assessmentWhich Is Right for Your Business?
Pet Manager may suit you if:
- Visual pen/kennel scheduling is essential to your daily operations
- Deep Xero integration with overpayments and credit notes is critical
- You need split bookings for pets moving pens during a stay
- Complex pricing rules based on animal type, season, and customer type suit your business
- You manage multiple sites (up to 3 locations)
Petboost?
- You want the option to earn $0/month in subscription fees ($65/month (waived at $7,500+ in card payments))
- You're multi-service or planning to expand beyond boarding
- Self-service package management and online purchases matter to you
- You need native course management for training programs
- You want SMS included without purchasing credit packs
- Lifecycle automation from booking to payment is important
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.
Pet Manager 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 30 days with 0% Petboost fees. Only pay Stripe processing fees.
Last verified: 14th March 2026 | Pricing and features sourced from www.petmanager.com.au
Found an error? Let us know and we'll correct it promptly.
Pet Manager® 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 Manager.