If you're reading this, you're probably in one of two camps: either Gingr has been slowly frustrating you with rising fees and disappearing support, or you're a PetExec user being strong-armed into migrating to a platform you didn't choose.
Either way, you have options. Let's walk through what's actually happening, what to look for in your next software, and how to switch without losing clients.
What Happened to PetExec?
In late 2024, Togetherwork — the private equity group behind Gingr — acquired PetExec. Since then:
- PetExec stopped accepting new customers. All inquiries are redirected to Gingr.
- A 1% gateway fee was added to all PetExec transactions effective September 1, 2025. This applies on top of normal processing fees.
- Migration is being pushed hard. PetExec users are being "encouraged" to migrate to Gingr as soon as possible.
One business owner shared their experience on Capterra:
"We recently took over a new site and were encouraged by Gingr to migrate from PetExec as soon as possible. The day after taking over, I was hit with an unexpected $2,000 'gateway fee' on my credit card, but was told it would be refunded once we switched to Gingr."
A month later, they were still stuck on PetExec because Gingr couldn't complete the migration. The refund hadn't arrived.
The takeaway: PetExec is being sunset. The 1% gateway fee exists purely to pressure you into moving to Gingr. But here's what most people don't realize — you don't have to move to Gingr. You can choose something better.
Why Groomers Are Leaving Gingr
Even people who weren't forced onto Gingr are leaving. Here's what's driving the exodus, based on verified reviews from Capterra, Software Advice, G2, and Reddit threads from 2025–2026:
1. Fees Keep Climbing
Gingr's Spa plan (their most basic, grooming-focused tier) costs $105/month. The Stay plan for boarding runs $155–$180/month. And it doesn't stop there:
- Forced payment processor partnerships (Cardpointe/Stripe only)
- Gateway fees for PetExec holdouts
- Annual price increases with minimal new value added
One Reddit user put it bluntly: "I heard Gingr is the best, but it's expensive." For solo groomers doing 6–8 dogs a day, $105+/month for scheduling software is steep — especially when alternatives exist at half the price.
2. Bugs That Cost Real Money
This is the complaint that comes up most often in reviews:
"The Gingr team will make updates which affect random parts of the software and they do not catch these bugs. These have cost not just our business but colleagues as well thousands of dollars. Gingr doesn't care as a company and considers the monetary loss to our business as a cost of doing business."
— Capterra review, verified user
When your booking software miscounts package credits for two days and doesn't catch it, that's not a minor bug. That's direct revenue loss.
3. Support Has Cratered
The most dramatic shift in Gingr's reviews over the past year is around support quality:
"Support is practically non-existent. It's astonishing how far this software has fallen in such a short period."
"For how much Gingr costs per month, I can't believe I can't talk to a customer service rep!"
Multiple reviewers note that Gingr deletes posts about bugs in their Facebook group — not a great look for a company that wants your trust.
4. The Interface Feels Dated
Newer entrants like MoeGo and Paw Partner have raised the bar for what grooming software should look and feel like. Compared to modern alternatives, Gingr feels clunky:
"Our shop has been using Gingr for the last five months or so and it has been overwhelming and clunky. There's like four different ways to do everything, and so many features are lacking."
— r/doggrooming, March 2026
5. Financial Tracking Is Unreliable
"Gingr will only give you an estimate when it comes to keeping track of finances, but never showed us REAL numbers. So my boss wasn't able to ever actually get an idea of how much money we were actually making versus losing."
— r/DogDayCare
If you can't trust your software's revenue numbers, what are you paying for?
Ready to switch?
Try HeyGroomer Free for 14 Days
AI phone answering, breed-aware scheduling, $49/mo. No credit card required.
Start Free Trial →What to Look for in a Gingr Alternative
Before you jump to another platform, here's a framework for evaluating your options honestly:
Price vs. Value
Don't just compare monthly fees. Consider:
- Gateway/processing fees — Does the software take a cut of your transactions?
- Setup costs — Some platforms charge for onboarding or data migration.
- Feature gating — Are core features (scheduling, reminders, payments) included, or locked behind higher tiers?
Must-Have Features for Groomers in 2026
Red Flags to Watch For
- No free trial — If they won't let you test before buying, they're hiding something.
- Annual contract pressure — Monthly flexibility matters, especially when switching.
- Forced payment processors — Your payment setup shouldn't be dictated by your scheduling software.
- No data export — If you can't export your client data easily, you're trapped.
Honest Comparison: Top Gingr Alternatives in 2026
Here's how the main alternatives stack up for groomers specifically (not daycares or boarding, where the feature set is different):
A few things stand out:
- Gingr is 2–3x the price of every grooming-focused alternative. That premium made sense when their support was excellent. It doesn't anymore.
- AI phone answering is the differentiator in 2026. If you're a solo groomer or small team, you can't answer every call while grooming. HeyGroomer's AI receptionist handles this — it's the only platform with it built in at no extra cost.
- All of these are better than staying on PetExec with the 1% gateway fee eating into every transaction.
How to Switch Without Losing Clients
The #1 fear when switching software is losing client data and booking momentum. Here's the practical playbook:
Before You Switch
- Export everything from Gingr/PetExec. Client lists, pet profiles, upcoming appointments. Go to Reports → Export.
- Screenshot your service menu and pricing. You'll want to replicate this exactly in your new system.
- Download any attached files — vaccination records, grooming notes, photos.
- Note your current booking URL so you can set up redirects.
During the Switch
- Set up your new platform with services, pricing, and availability matching your current setup.
- Import client data via CSV upload.
- Test the booking flow yourself — book a fake appointment as a client would.
- Set up payment processing before going live.
After the Switch
- Email your clients with your new booking link. Keep it simple: "We've upgraded our booking system! Book your next appointment here: [link]"
- Update your Google Business profile with the new booking link.
- Post on social media — frame it positively. "Exciting upgrade" beats "we left our old software."
- Monitor for 2 weeks — respond quickly to any client confusion about the new system.
Pro tip: Don't try to switch during your busiest season. A quiet Monday morning is the best time to flip the switch.
What About the Data Gingr Won't Let You Export?
Some Gingr users report difficulty exporting certain data. A few things to know:
- Client contact info and pet profiles should always be exportable. This is your data.
- Appointment history varies by platform — most don't transfer between systems.
- Package/membership balances won't carry over. Honor them manually in your new system.
- Report card templates will need to be recreated.
If Gingr is making it difficult to export your own client data, that tells you everything about whether you should stay.
The Bottom Line
The pet grooming software landscape has changed dramatically since Gingr was the clear frontrunner. The PetExec acquisition, rising fees, declining support quality, and persistent bugs have opened the door for modern alternatives that cost less and do more.
If you're on PetExec: don't default to Gingr just because they bought your platform. The 1% gateway fee is a pressure tactic, not an inevitability.
If you're on Gingr: those "we plan on switching within the next 12 months" reviewers? Many of them already have.
The switch takes an afternoon, not a month. The savings are real — $672 to $972 per year depending on your current Gingr plan. And modern features like AI phone answering and breed-aware scheduling mean you're not just cutting costs — you're upgrading.
Try HeyGroomer free for 14 days → No credit card required. See why groomers are switching.
Related: Switching from Gingr — Complete Guide · HeyGroomer vs MoeGo · Revenue Calculator