Teddy vs DaySmart Pet: Which Fits Your Salon?

DaySmart Pet has been around a long time — long enough that many groomers still know it by its old name, 123Pet. That history means a deep feature set, but it also means an interface and pricing model built for a different era of grooming. Teddy is the newer, streamlined alternative aimed squarely at independent groomers and small teams. If you're weighing Teddy vs DaySmart, this comparison lays out the real differences in pricing, texting, and day-to-day usability so you can pick the one that actually fits your shop.

The short answer

DaySmart Pet is a mature, multi-service platform with a lot of configurability and tiers that scale up to multi-location operations. Teddy is a modern, all-in-one platform with unlimited texting on every plan, a cleaner interface, and pricing that doesn't nickel-and-dime you with add-ons.

If you want maximum configuration and you're running a larger or multi-location business, DaySmart's depth has appeal. If you're an independent groomer or a small team who wants simple pricing, unlimited texting, and software you can learn quickly, Teddy is usually the better fit.

Pricing: watch the texting tier

This is the headline difference. DaySmart's entry price looks low, but two-way texting — the feature groomers use constantly — doesn't come included until a much higher tier. Teddy includes unlimited texting from the start.

Pricing reflects publicly listed rates at the time of writing and can change — confirm current pricing on each provider's site.

Two things to flag on DaySmart. First, two-way texting and text marketing only kick in at the $149 Deluxe Growth tier — so the $29 entry plan can't hold a proper text conversation with a client. Second, several useful pieces are add-ons: using an outside payment processor adds about $10/month, daycare and boarding calendars run roughly $25/month each, and the website builder is around $15/month. Those extras add up.

Teddy keeps it simpler: unlimited two-way texting on every plan, no per-message metering, and no setup fees. You can see the full breakdown on the Teddy pricing page. For the deeper feature-by-feature take, we also published a full DaySmart Pet review for 2026.

Texting and client communication

DaySmart handles reminders and, on the higher tiers, two-way texting and marketing. If you're on the entry plan, though, you're limited to automated one-way messages until you upgrade — a real constraint for groomers who run their whole client relationship through the text thread.

Teddy is built around unlimited two-way SMS from the first plan. Confirmations, reminders, "your Aussie is ready," rebooking nudges, and back-and-forth about a special cut all flow without a counter or a tier upgrade. Details are on the texting and reminders page.

Interface and ease of use

This is where DaySmart's age shows. It's powerful, but the interface can feel dated and takes longer to learn — especially for new staff. Groomers switching often mention the learning curve as their biggest frustration.

Teddy was designed to be picked up in an afternoon. A cleaner layout means less time training a new bather and more time grooming. If you value being productive on day one over having every advanced setting imaginable, that difference matters.

Features side by side

Where DaySmart wins

DaySmart Pet earns its place for bigger operations. Its multi-service support — grooming plus daycare and boarding calendars — and its top-tier features like commission rules and expense tracking make it a genuine fit for larger or multi-location businesses that need everything under one roof and have staff to manage the configuration. Its longevity also means a large user base and established support.

Where Teddy wins

For the independent groomer or small team, Teddy's advantages are practical and immediate: unlimited texting with no tier games, no surprise add-on fees, a modern interface that's fast to learn, and an optional AI receptionist that catches missed calls and follows up by text while you're finishing a groom. It's less to configure and less to pay for the things you actually use.

Which should you choose?

• Choose DaySmart Pet if you run a larger or multi-location business, need daycare/boarding calendars alongside grooming, and want deep configuration — and you're fine paying for add-ons and training time.
• Choose Teddy if you're independent or a small team, you text clients constantly, and you want simple all-in pricing with software that's quick to learn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Teddy cheaper than DaySmart Pet?

It depends on the features you need. DaySmart's entry plan is lower at $29/month, but it doesn't include two-way texting until the $149 tier and charges add-on fees for calendars and website tools. Teddy includes unlimited texting from $49/month with no add-ons, so for groomers who text a lot it's often cheaper overall.

Is DaySmart Pet the same as 123Pet?

Yes. DaySmart Pet is the current name for the software formerly known as 123Pet. It's the same product line, rebranded, with continued development.

Does Teddy support daycare and boarding like DaySmart?

Teddy is focused on grooming for independents and small teams. DaySmart supports daycare and boarding calendars as add-ons, which makes it a better fit for multi-service facilities that need all three in one system.

Can I switch from DaySmart to Teddy?

Yes. You can typically export your client and pet data from DaySmart and have it imported during Teddy's onboarding. Ask the Teddy team to guide the migration so nothing is lost.

Which is easier for new staff to learn?

Teddy, generally. Its modern, streamlined interface takes less time to train on, while DaySmart's deeper, older interface has a steeper learning curve.

Both platforms can run a grooming business — the question is how much complexity and add-on cost you want to carry. If you're independent or a small team and you'd rather have unlimited texting and simple pricing than a wall of settings, Teddy is worth trying alongside DaySmart before you decide.