The Best Apps for Mobile Pet Groomers in 2026

Mobile grooming means your phone is your office. Everything runs through it: scheduling, navigation, payments, client communication, and business management.

The right apps make mobile grooming smoother. The wrong ones create friction, drain your battery, and waste time between appointments.

We asked mobile groomers what they actually use daily. Here’s what works.

Scheduling and Business Management

Your scheduling app is the backbone of mobile operations. At minimum, it should handle bookings, client records, reminders, and payments.

Teddy

Teddy has become popular with mobile groomers for its scheduling system and unlimited texting.

Why it works for mobile groomers:

• Manage your calendar, reminders, and client communication in one place
• Clients can book online while you’re mid-groom
• Text reminders reduce no-shows (especially important when you’ve driven 20 minutes to a home)

Pricing: Affordable monthly rates with everything included. No per-text charges.

Square Appointments

Square Appointments offers a free tier and integrates seamlessly with Square payments.

Why it works for mobile groomers:

• Simple interface optimized for phones
• Schedule and take payments in one ecosystem
• Syncs directly with your Square card reader

Limitation: Fewer grooming-specific features than dedicated grooming software.

MoeGo

MoeGo is a grooming-specific platform with route optimization built in.

Why it works for mobile groomers:

• Routing tools help plan efficient daily schedules
• Designed specifically for grooming businesses
• Strong option for high-volume mobile operations

Limitation: More expensive and may include features beyond what solo groomers need.

Navigation and Route Planning

Efficient routing directly impacts how many dogs you can groom per day.

Google Maps

Google Maps is the default for good reason.

Why it works:

• Accurate traffic data
• Reliable directions
• Works almost everywhere

Mobile grooming tip:
Pin regular clients’ addresses and use “Add stop” to plan multi-appointment routes.

Waze

Waze uses community-sourced traffic data to catch issues Google sometimes misses.

Best for:

• Finding alternate routes on busy days
• Real-time incident alerts

Mobile grooming tip:
Set arrival time alerts so you’re not rushing or sitting in a driveway too early.

Circuit Route Planner

Circuit Route Planner optimizes multiple stops to minimize driving time.

Best for:

• Groomers with many daily appointments
• Dense service areas

Mobile grooming tip:
Upload tomorrow’s appointments and let it build your optimal route. Free tier supports up to 10 stops.

Payment Processing

Taking payments at clients’ homes requires reliable mobile solutions.

Square

Square is the mobile payment standard.

Why it works for mobile groomers:

• Card reader connects directly to your phone
• Offline processing for swiped transactions
• Supports tap and chip payments
• Reliable deposits

Cost: 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction. No monthly fee.

PayPal Zettle

PayPal Zettle is a solid alternative within the PayPal ecosystem.

Why it works:

• Established and reliable
• Integrates with PayPal invoicing

Cost: 2.29% + $0.09 per transaction.

Cash, Venmo, Zelle

Some groomers still accept cash or peer-to-peer payments.

Pros:

• No transaction fees

Cons:

• Limited protection in disputes
• Less professional appearance
• Harder to maintain clear records

Professional card processing generally looks more polished.

Client Communication

Staying in touch between and during appointments is essential.

Built-In Messaging (From Your Grooming Software)

If your scheduling app includes texting, use it.

Advantages:

• Conversations tied to client records
• Easier to find message history
• Centralized communication

Google Voice

Google Voice provides a free business phone number.

Why mobile groomers use it:

• Separate work and personal calls
• Access voicemails and texts in-app
• Share a business number instead of your personal cell

Standard Texting

Simple and direct. Many clients respond fastest to regular texts.

Consideration:
Harder to separate work and personal life.

Photos and Documentation

Before-and-after photos help with marketing, documentation, and client communication.

Your Phone’s Camera

Modern smartphones are more than capable.

Tips:

• Use natural light
• Shoot at the dog’s eye level
• Keep backgrounds clean

Lightroom Mobile (Free Version)

Adobe Lightroom improves photos quickly.

Use it to:

• Adjust brightness
• Straighten images
• Crop cleanly

Better photos = more engagement. Edits take under 30 seconds.

Canva

Canva makes before/after collages easy.

Best for:

• Instagram posts
• Side-by-side client photos
• Simple branded graphics

Social Media

Mobile grooming performs well on social platforms thanks to the van and on-location element.

Instagram

Instagram is the primary platform for most grooming businesses.

Content ideas:

• Before/after photos
• Reels from inside the van
• “Day in the life” stories

Your van is content. Use it.

Facebook

Facebook still performs well for local businesses.

Best for:

• Local groups
• Neighborhood referrals
• Older demographics

TikTok

TikTok reaches younger pet owners.

Reality check:
Only use it if you genuinely enjoy making videos. It’s better to dominate one platform than spread yourself thin.

Weather

Weather impacts mobile grooming more than salon grooming.

Weather Apps

• Apple Weather
• Weather.com

Check precipitation and temperatures before driving.

Mobile considerations:

• Storms make grooming miserable
• Hot days affect van interior temperatures
• Cold days impact water heaters

MyRadar

MyRadar provides detailed radar tracking.

Best for:
Deciding whether to wait out a storm or reschedule.

Mileage and Expenses

Tracking mileage is essential for taxes.

Stride

Stride automatically tracks mileage.

Why it matters:
Mileage deductions add up quickly. At $0.67/mile (2024 rate), 50 miles daily equals $33.50 in deductions per day.

MileIQ

MileIQ is a well-established mileage tracker.

Cost:
Free tier with limits. Paid plans start around $6/month.

Spreadsheet

Manual tracking works if you’re disciplined.

Method:
Log starting and ending odometer readings daily.

Van-Specific Apps

Mobile grooming includes vehicle and equipment management.

GasBuddy

GasBuddy helps find lower gas prices nearby.

Driving 50–100 miles daily makes fuel costs significant.

Generator Monitoring Apps

If your van’s generator has Wi-Fi connectivity, use the manufacturer’s app to monitor status remotely.

Maintenance Tracking

Apps like aCar or Drivvo track:

• Oil changes
• Repairs
• Maintenance schedules

Van downtime = lost revenue. Stay ahead of maintenance.

What You Actually Need

The minimum viable mobile grooming app stack:

1. Scheduling/Booking App – Calendar + client info
2. Navigation App – Google Maps or Waze
3. Payment Processor – Square or similar
4. Phone Camera – For photos
5. Mileage Tracker – For tax deductions

Everything else is optional. Don’t overload your phone with apps you rarely open.

Battery and Data Considerations

Mobile grooming means full phone dependence. Protect your battery and connectivity.

Battery Tips

• Keep a reliable car charger
• Carry a backup battery pack
• Close unused apps
• Lower screen brightness inside the van

Data Tips

• Know your cellular data limits
• Download offline maps for weak-signal areas
• Use a personal hotspot if needed

Phone Protection

• Waterproof case (grooming involves water)
• Screen protector (you will drop it eventually)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need separate business and personal phones?

Not necessarily. Google Voice provides a separate business number on your personal device. Some groomers prefer full separation, but it’s optional.

Which scheduling app is best for mobile?

It depends on your scale. Teddy works well for simple setups. MoeGo is better for high-volume routing. Square is ideal if you’re starting lean and want a free option.

How do I take payments without cell signal?

Square and similar processors allow offline transactions that sync once you reconnect.

Should I use TikTok for marketing?

Only if you enjoy video content. Forced content performs poorly. Instagram and Facebook are sufficient for most mobile groomers.

What’s the best phone for mobile grooming?

A recent iPhone or Android flagship.

Priorities:

• Strong camera
• Long battery life
• Reliable performance

Don’t overthink it. Your phone is a tool — not the business itself.