Why Groomers Are Switching From Gingr in 2026
If you've been using Gingr for your grooming business, you're not alone in feeling frustrated. Since the platform was acquired by a private equity firm, groomers across the country have reported rising prices, slower support response times, and updates that break existing workflows. This article breaks down exactly what changed, what groomers are saying, and what alternatives are available.
The Private Equity Acquisition: What Changed
Gingr was once the go-to software for pet care businesses — groomers, boarders, and daycares all relied on it. But when the platform was acquired by a private equity firm, priorities shifted. The focus moved from serving independent groomers to maximizing revenue from the existing customer base.
Here's a timeline of changes groomers have reported since the acquisition:
- Price increases: Base plans climbed from roughly $75/month to $105-175/month depending on the tier. Some users report even steeper increases after contract renewals.
- SMS moved to paid add-on: Text message reminders — which most groomers consider essential — were separated into a paid add-on on top of the base subscription.
- Slower support: Response times that used to be same-day have stretched to 48-72 hours according to multiple groomer reports in online communities.
- Interface updates that break workflows: Several groomers have reported that platform updates changed layouts or removed features without notice, disrupting their daily routines.
- Focus shifted to enterprise: New features tend to target large multi-location operations rather than the independent groomers who built the original user base.
What Groomers Are Saying
The frustration is widespread. In grooming communities on Facebook and Reddit, common themes emerge:
- "I'm paying more and getting less." Groomers who've been on Gingr for years say their costs have nearly doubled while the features they actually use haven't improved.
- "Support used to be great." Multiple users note that the support quality dropped significantly after the ownership change. Issues that once got resolved in hours now take days.
- "I don't need enterprise features." Independent groomers and small salons feel they're subsidizing features built for large chains — multi-location management, advanced retail POS, kennel modules — that they'll never use.
- "The SMS add-on is a dealbreaker." For many groomers, paying $105+/month for the base platform and then paying extra for text reminders feels unreasonable when other platforms include it.
The Real Cost: Gingr vs. Alternatives
Let's look at what independent groomers actually pay:
| Platform | Base Price | SMS Reminders | Total Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gingr (Spa plan) | $105/mo | Add-on (varies) | $125-150+/mo |
| Gingr (Professional) | $175/mo | Add-on (varies) | $195-220+/mo |
| MoeGo | $39-99/mo | Add-on ($50-100+/mo) | $89-199+/mo |
| GroomBoard (Solo) | $19/mo | Included | $19/mo |
| GroomBoard (Salon) | $39/mo | Included | $39/mo |
For an independent groomer, the difference between paying $150+/month and $19/month is over $1,500 per year — money that could go toward equipment, marketing, or simply increasing your take-home pay.
What Groomers Actually Need
Most independent groomers and small salons need four things from their software:
- Online booking — So clients can book themselves 24/7 from a link on your website, Instagram, or Facebook page.
- Client and pet management — A place to store pet profiles, grooming history, temperament notes, and coat details.
- SMS appointment reminders — Automated day-before text reminders that cut no-shows by 50%. This should be included, not an add-on.
- Online payments — Accept credit cards through Stripe or a similar processor to reduce cash handling and speed up checkout.
That's it. You shouldn't need to pay $175/month for enterprise features like multi-location management, advanced retail POS, or kennel scheduling that you'll never use.
Switching: Easier Than You Think
One reason groomers stay on Gingr longer than they want to is the perceived hassle of switching. But modern grooming platforms are designed to get you up and running fast. Here's what a typical switch looks like:
- Sign up for a free trial on your new platform (most offer 14 days).
- Add your services — list your services, prices, and duration. Takes 10-15 minutes.
- Set your availability — configure your working hours and days off.
- Add your existing clients — either manually (for a small book) or via CSV import if available.
- Share your new booking link — update your Instagram bio, Facebook page, website, and email signature. Clients won't notice a difference.
Most groomers complete the entire process in under 30 minutes. Your clients don't experience any disruption — they just see a new booking page that likely works better than the old one.
How to Evaluate Gingr Alternatives
Before you switch, run any alternative through this checklist:
- Does it include SMS reminders in the base price? (Not as an add-on)
- Is there a free trial so you can test before committing?
- Is it month-to-month, or does it require an annual contract?
- Is it built for groomers specifically, or is grooming a secondary use case?
- Does it work well on mobile? (You're grooming dogs, not sitting at a desk)
- What do other groomers say about it? (Check reviews and grooming communities)
For a detailed evaluation framework, read our Buyer's Guide to Grooming Software in 2026.
A Better Option for Independent Groomers
GroomBoard was built specifically for independent groomers and small salons. Online booking, SMS reminders, Stripe payments, and client management — all included starting at $19/mo. No contracts, no add-on fees, no surprises.
We know what switching platforms feels like because we built GroomBoard for the groomers who told us they were tired of overpaying for features they don't need. If you're considering a move, the free trial gives you 14 days to test everything with zero commitment.
See the full Gingr vs GroomBoard comparison →
Want to see how all the top platforms stack up? Read Top 5 Pet Grooming Software Compared (2026).
Use our free Pricing Calculator to see what groomers in your area charge — and whether you could afford to switch to a more affordable platform and pocket the savings.