DaySmart Pet Alternatives: Choosing Software for an Australian Salon

DaySmart Pet, which many people still know by its earlier name 123Pet, has been around for a long time and is used by thousands of pet businesses. If you're in Australia and comparing it with other options, it helps to look beyond the feature list at the everyday details that matter for a local salon or mobile groomer. This guide covers what to check.

Local details matter more than you think

Software built overseas can work well in Australia, but small differences add up over a year. Check how GST is handled on services and retail sales, whether prices are shown in Australian dollars, how SMS works with Australian mobile numbers, and whether dates and reports suit the way you work.

Pricing over a full year

Work out the total cost for your business for twelve months: the plan, extra users or locations, add-on modules, SMS, card processing and hardware. Then think about your quietest month. PetConnect has no setup fee and no monthly fee, and you pay about 2.2% on card payments taken through PetConnect. SMS is optional and uses paid credits; email and app reminders are included.

Payments and payouts

Ask how card payments work with each product in Australia. Is there a terminal that talks to the software, so the total is sent automatically? When does money land in your bank account? PetConnect includes a free card terminal for approved businesses and same-day settlement.

Phone, tablet and computer

Groomers work on their feet. Check that the calendar, client records and checkout work properly on a phone and a tablet, not just on a desktop computer. Try moving a booking, adding a note and taking a payment on your own phone during a trial.

Online booking and reminders

Look at the client side too. Is online booking easy on a phone? Can clients confirm reminders with a tap? Is there an app for pet parents? These features save hours of phone calls every week. Our guide to online booking for groomers covers what good booking looks like.

Support you can reach

When something goes wrong, you need help during your working hours. Ask each provider when support is available in Australian time and how you get in touch.

Moving your data

If you've used one system for years, your client and pet history is valuable. Ask who moves it, how long it takes and what comes across, including notes, pet details and upcoming bookings. PetConnect moves your data for you within 24 business hours.

Give every product a fair go

DaySmart Pet has a long track record, and plenty of businesses are happy with it. The point is not to find a "winner" but the best fit for your salon. List your top five needs, score each product, and try them with real tasks from your day.

A simple trial plan

1. Add your three most common services with real prices and times.
2. Add a regular client with two dogs and some notes.
3. Book, move and cancel an appointment.
4. Take a test payment and add a retail product.
5. Look at the day's takings report.

If each step feels quick and obvious, that's a good sign. If you need the manual for basic tasks, your team will too.

What about the team?

Ask the people who answer the phone and run the front desk to try it too. Their opinion matters, because they will use the system more than anyone. A product that feels natural to them will be adopted quickly; one that feels clumsy will cause frustration for years.

Don't rush

Switching is easier than most people expect, but it's still worth taking a couple of weeks to compare properly. Pick a quieter time of year to change, tell your team early, and let regular clients know if anything will look different when they book.

Look at the reports

Finally, check the reports you'll actually use: takings by day and week, services sold, retail, staff performance and GST. If they're hard to find or understand during a trial, they won't get used once you're busy. Good reports should answer your everyday questions in seconds.

Ask about contracts

Read the terms before you commit. Is there a minimum contract? Can you cancel at any time? Are prices fixed, or can they change? A flexible arrangement means you're never stuck with a product that stops working for you, and it says a lot about how confident a provider is in keeping you happy.

Talk to other salons

Ask groomers you know what they use and what they'd change. Local groomer groups are full of honest opinions, and people are usually happy to share what has and hasn't worked for them in an Australian salon.

See how the two compare on our PetConnect vs DaySmart Pet page, or check PetConnect pricing.