DaySmart vs 123Pet: What's the Difference Now?
DaySmart vs 123Pet explained: they're the same product under a new name
If you've been grooming for more than a few years, you remember 123Pet. If you started recently, you've only heard of DaySmart Pet. And if you're searching DaySmart vs 123Pet, you're probably trying to work out whether they're two products you should compare.
They aren't. Here's the short answer, then the details that matter if you're a current or former user.
The short answer
DaySmart Pet is 123Pet Software under a new name. DaySmart's own listings describe the product as "DaySmart Pet (formerly 123Pet Software)." The parent company, DaySmart Software, makes scheduling and business software for several industries, including salons and spas, and brought its products under one brand.
So there's no feature showdown to run. The useful questions are about what changed along the way.
A quick timeline
We've kept this general on purpose. Exact dates and version details are DaySmart's to confirm.
What stayed the same
- The core job. Appointment book, client and pet records, point of sale, reminders, reporting.
- The audience. Grooming salons first, with options for daycare and boarding.
- The general layout. Long-time users report that it still feels like the product they know.
- Your data. Existing accounts carried forward. If you were a 123Pet customer, your records are in DaySmart Pet.
What changed
- The name and login. Bookmarks, emails and invoices now say DaySmart.
- Cloud-first. DaySmart describes the product today as cloud-based, with access from a browser and mobile app.
- Pricing structure. Third-party listings show tiered plans, with daycare and boarding available as add-ons. Published prices vary between review sites, so ask for a quote.
- Trial terms. DaySmart's listing mentions a 14-day free trial with no contract or setup fee.
- The wider family. DaySmart Pet now sits alongside sibling products for salons, spas and vets.
If you're still on an old 123Pet desktop install
Some shops are. If your software lives on one computer at the front desk, check four things this week.
- Is it still supported? Contact DaySmart and ask directly whether your version receives updates and support.
- Where is your backup? If the answer is "on that same computer," fix that today. An external drive or cloud backup takes ten minutes to set up.
- Can you export? Find the client and pet export and run it. Know that you can get your data out before you need to.
- What would moving to the cloud version cost? Get the number so you can compare it with other options.
A dead hard drive with eight years of client notes on it is the kind of problem that closes shops. Whatever software you end up on, don't leave your records in one place.
How users rate DaySmart Pet today
On Capterra and Software Advice, DaySmart Pet holds a couple hundred reviews and a solid overall rating. Reviewers commonly praise the appointment book and say it's a reliable system for running a grooming business. Capterra's summary of the reviews also notes that many users describe the pricing as expensive, with some features limited to higher plans.
That matches what we hear from groomers. People rarely complain that it doesn't work. They complain about what it costs to get everything they want.
Should a 123Pet veteran stay with DaySmart Pet?
Stay if:
- Your team knows it and the day runs smoothly
- You rely on its built-in POS and inventory
- You run grooming alongside boarding or daycare
- The price is comfortable
Look around if:
- Your bill has crept up and you're not sure why
- You're paying for features you never open
- You want to do more from your phone
- You text clients a lot and it feels clunky or metered
Familiar software has real value. So does not overpaying. A two-week trial of something else costs you nothing but a bit of time.
What else is out there
For grooming-only shops, the usual shortlist is MoeGo (strong for mobile), GrooMore (simple and low-cost), Pawfinity (detailed records) and Teddy.
Teddy is ours. It's $49 to $199 per location with unlimited two-way texting on every plan and an assistant you can ask to book or message clients. It doesn't do boarding, daycare or built-in retail inventory, so it's not a fit for every DaySmart user. The direct comparison is on our Teddy vs DaySmart page.
We also keep a longer list of DaySmart Pet alternatives and a step-by-step guide to switching from MoeGo or DaySmart, including how to export your data.
A note for groomers buying a salon
If you're buying an existing salon, there's a fair chance it runs on 123Pet or DaySmart Pet. Before closing, ask the seller for:
- Admin login and account ownership transfer in writing
- A full export of clients, pets and appointment history
- The last 12 months of software invoices
- Any contract terms that transfer to you
Client records are a big part of what you're paying for. Jose Rodriguez covers the wider due diligence list in How to Buy a Pet Care Business on The Daily Groomer podcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 123Pet the same as DaySmart Pet?
Yes. DaySmart Pet is the current name of the product formerly sold as 123Pet Software.
Can I still use my old 123Pet software?
Contact DaySmart to confirm whether your version is still supported. If it's a desktop install, make sure you have a current backup stored somewhere else.
DaySmart vs 123Pet: did the features change?
The core features carried over. The product is now cloud-based and sold in tiers under the DaySmart name.
Did 123Pet prices go up when it became DaySmart Pet?
Pricing has changed over time and varies by tier. Review-site summaries mention cost as a common complaint. Compare your current invoice with a fresh quote.
How do I move my 123Pet data to different software?
Export clients and pets from your account, then send the file to your new provider. Teddy imports it for free.
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