A non-biased comparison of the best software for dog trainers

Choosing booking software for your canine business can feel like a minefield. Whether you’re running 1:1 sessions, group classes, behaviour consults or a mix of everything, the admin side of things can quickly become overwhelming. A good booking system doesn’t just save you time – it helps set boundaries, reduces no-shows, collects payments and frees up your headspace for the work that really matters.

There’s no perfect, one-size-fits-all solution. What works brilliantly for one dog pro might be a terrible fit for another. 

I’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Based on real life feedback from a range of dog professionals, I’ve put together the ultimate comparison guide to software for dog trainers… from simple spreadsheets to canine-industry-specific builds – and the pros and cons of each.

You’ll also find a free downloadable comparison table at the end to help you decide what’s right for you.

A few key points to bear in mind while reading:

• This can’t be an exhaustive list of available options as there are so many, but it will serve as a jumping off point for you and get you reviewing the options with a clearer mind.

• I’m not affiliated with any of these systems so this is an unbiased comparison.

• Information is accurate as far as I can tell at the time of publishing, but please do your own research before making a final decision.

Before we dive in: is manual booking working just fine?

There’s no rule that says you have to use software or a digital booking system. If pen and paper or spreadsheets are your thing, that’s valid. What matters is that it works for you – and that it’s manageable, consistent, and doesn’t leave you at risk of double-booking.

Here are a few tips to keep manual bookings organised:

• Pick one method – whether it’s a paper diary, Google Calendar, or a colour-coded spreadsheet – and stick to it.

• Block out your availability weekly or monthly to avoid booking clients when you’re meant to be off.

• Avoid duplication by only having one live version of your calendar.

• Review regularly – set aside time to check in, resync, and adjust around real-life demands.

If you’re finding yourself constantly rescheduling or forgetting what you’ve committed to, it might be time to consider a system that does more of the heavy lifting.

What do you actually need your booking system to do?

Different systems shine in different scenarios. Consider your needs:

• Do you mostly offer 1:1 sessions – online or in person?

• Are your group classes fixed dates, or rolling?

• Do clients pay upfront, on the day, per session or for block bookings?

• Do you offer packages or programmes that include multiple sessions?

• Do you need it to sync with your personal calendar?

• Do you want it to handle payments and forms?

• Does it need to integrate with your website?

• How tech-confident are you feeling?

• What systems have you already tried – what did you love and hate about them?

• Do you already have a booking system and/or website or are you starting from scratch?

Jot down your answers and make a note of whether they are essential or desirable. And think ahead to any future plans you have - because if you get set up with a system that works now, and then you add a new service next year, your system needs to be able to flex to accommodate that. 

Types of software for dog trainers

Built into your website platform

Let’s not start adding to your tech stack unless we need to. Can your existing website handle what you need? If you’re not sure, maybe it just needs some optimising and troubleshooting to get it running smoothly.

We’ll look at the four most used web building platforms now:

Wix Bookings

• Price: Included in Wix premium plans from Core upwards (starting at £16 per month)

• Free trial: Via Wix’s general free plan (booking features limited)

• Types of appointments: One-to-one sessions (online or in person), group classes, course blocks, memberships, subscriptions

• Taking payments: Stripe, PayPal, Wix Payments

• What people say: Mixed – some users find it convenient and easy to manage, others report clunky interfaces and switch to third-party options

• Meeting and calendar integrations: Google Calendar, Zoom

Squarespace Scheduling (via Acuity)

• Price: From £12/month (add-on to existing Squarespace site)

• Free trial: Yes

• Types of appointments: One-to-ones, packages, group sessions, memberships, loyalty programs, bundles and discounts

• Taking payments: Stripe, Square, PayPal

• What people say: Reliable and well-integrated for Squarespace users; Acuity is trusted but interface is a bit dated

• Meeting and calendar integrations: GoogleMeet, GoToMeeting, Zoom, Google Calendar, Apple (iCloud) Calendar, Outlook / Office 365 Calendar

WordPress

Uses plug-ins such as Bookly, Booking Calendar and Sugar Calendar

• Price: Varies – most booking plugins start from £30–£100/year

• Free trial: Often limited free versions or demos

• Types of appointments: Depends on the plugin – from simple bookings to complex class scheduling

• Taking payments: Depends on the plugin – many support Stripe, PayPal, WooCommerce

• What people say: Can be powerful and customisable, but plugins often require updates, tech setup, and sometimes extra support from a WordPress expert.

• Meeting and calendar integrations: Wide range depending on plugin – calendars, CRMs, payment gateways, email marketing tools

GoDaddy Appointments (Websites + Marketing)

• Price: Included with GoDaddy Websites + Marketing Premium and eCommerce plans (£22.99 per month)

• Free trial: Available through GoDaddy’s general free trial for site builders

• Types of appointments you can set up: open time slots for 1:1 bookings, single sessions or workshops, recurring classes or courses

• Taking payments: GoDaddy Payments, Stripe-through-GoDaddy, Square, or PayPal

• What people say: Users appreciate calendar syncing, reminders, and connection with GoDaddy Payments; some small businesses find it “very basic” and occasionally buggy, with reports of interface or browser compatibility issues

• Meeting and calendar integrations: Google Calendar, Apple (iCloud) Calendar, Outlook / Office 365 Calendar, Zoom, GoDaddy Video

If you’re using or thinking of using a website that is built more for online courses and memberships, like New Zenler, Kajabi, Teachable, Thinkific or Systeme.io, it’s worth checking out what they offer to see if it will fit your needs - but since they are not set up as booking systems, they may have less flexible features so integrating a standalone booking system such as Calendly or Acuity may be better for you.

Worth a mention: Facebook Appointments

If you’re already active on social media, Facebook Appointments might seem like a handy way to let clients book with you directly from your page. It’s simple to set up and free to use, but it comes with a few limitations that are worth weighing up before you rely on it as your main system.

• Price: Free (requires a Facebook Page)

• Free trial: N/A

• Types of appointments: One-to-one appointments (e.g., consults, grooming, assessments). Does not support recurring bookings, group classes, or complex scheduling.

• Payment: No built-in payment system – you’ll need to take payment separately (e.g., via SumUp, bank transfer, or invoice).

• Integrations: Does not integrate with calendar systems or other tools. You’ll need to update your calendar manually and manage any reminders or automations elsewhere.

• What people say: Can be a simple way to start if you already use Facebook and have regular contact with clients via Messenger. However, it can feel clunky, and bookings can easily be missed if you’re not checking regularly. Some professionals find it causes confusion or double bookings without syncing options.

Good as a stopgap, but not ideal for managing a growing or more complex business.

Standalone software (link or embed on your site)

These standalone platforms are often used alongside your existing website or social media presence. They're usually quick to set up and offer a good range of automation options – though some are more suited to dog training businesses than others. Below are some of the most popular tools trainers use.

Calendly

• Price: Free basic plan; paid plans £8–13/month

• Free trial: Yes

• Types of appointments: 1:1 sessions

• Payment: Stripe, PayPal (Pro plan and up)

• Meeting and calendar integrations: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams,  Google/Outlook/Apple calendars

• What people say: Brilliant for simplicity, rescheduling, and setting availability. Lacks tools for managing classes or multiple-session programmes.

• Best for: Discovery calls, behaviour consults, mentoring

TidyCal

• Price: Limited free tier, one-time payment (around £21 depending on dollar conversion rate)

• Free trial: N/A (single-purchase tool)

• Types of appointments: 1:1 appointments, Group bookings, Recurring appointments

• Payment: Stripe and PayPal

• Meeting and calendar integrations: Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook Calendar, Apple Calendar, Zoom, Google Meet

• What people say: Great for those on a budget with straightforward booking needs. Not ideal for more complex workflows such as subscriptions and packages although manual workarounds are possible

• Best for: Trainers just starting out or offering simple services

Acuity Scheduling

• Price: from around £15 a month depending on US dollar conversion

• Free trial: Yes

• Types of appointments: 1:1 appointments, group classes/workshops, appointment packages,  subscriptions, membership-style access (with add-on tools or workarounds)

• Payment: Stripe, Square, PayPal

• Meeting and calendar integrations: Google Calendar, iCloud Calendar, Outlook/Office 365 Calendar, Zoom, Google Meet, GoToMeeting, Webex

• What people say: Some love the flexibility and automation; others find class management fiddly or frustrating.

• Best for: Trainers and behaviourists offering packages, consults and group booking

Bookwhen

• Price: From £9/month

• Free trial: Yes

• Types of appointments: Group classes/workshops, 1:1 appointments, course blocks, drop-in sessions, different ticket types

• Payment: Stripe, PayPal

• Meeting and calendar integrations: Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook (export only), Zoom

• What people say: Popular for simple class booking; less suited to businesses needing a polished or branded experience.

• Best for: Group classes, events, or one-off workshops

Thinking outside the box

Some platforms from other industries can work well depending on your setup. These systems may be especially useful if you need clinical features like note-taking, vet reports and invoicing, or if you run multiple group classes and want more control over availability and session bundles. They’re worth exploring if mainstream booking tools don’t quite meet your needs.

Cliniko 

• Price: From £29/month 

• Best for: Behaviourist with session notes, vet reports and invoicing 

• Not ideal for: Trainers who don’t need medical-style records 

• Features: Intake forms, payments, reminders, session notes, reports, and email integration

  
  

Booksy 

• Price: From free, with paid options for extra features 

• Best for: Those wanting an app-based interface and a client-facing booking experience 

• Not ideal for: Group classes, custom workflows or online appointments

• Notes: Originally built for the beauty industry, but used by some dog pros - worth a test if you’re app-focused

Fitness/gym booking systems 

• Price: Varies (examples include TeamUp, Momence, and Fitli) 

• Best for: Group classes where clients buy a bundle and self-book sessions 

• Not ideal for: 1:1 sessions or highly customised programmes 

• Features to look for: Session credits, availability limits, automatic expiry, calendar visibility

Bespoke builds

A bespoke build, especially from an expert specialising in builds for canine pros, can often offer tailored features and workflows that fit your unique needs. Getting an expert to build something just for you can be well worth the cost if you are also upgrading your website, optimising for SEO and AI visibility, and/or refreshing your brand. They are also a great option if supporting small businesses is important to you.

• Pros: Tailored workflows for your specific services; branding, copy, and design that reflects you; opportunity to optimise for SEO and future-proof with AI in mind; often developed by fellow small businesses

• Cons: Higher upfront cost; longer setup time; may not be as easy to update yourself; ongoing support varies by developer

• Price: Highly variable – from a few hundred to several thousand pounds depending on scope

• Free trial: Not typically offered, but you may be able to view demos or case studies

• Types of appointments: Custom-built – classes, courses, 1:1s, home visits, behaviour packages, follow-ups

• Payment: Can be integrated with Stripe, PayPal, or other processors – you choose

• Meeting and calendar integrations: Often includes calendar sync, mailing list tools, CRMs, and custom automations – depending on your needs and budget

• What people say: Loved by those with complex class structures or specialist services. Works best when paired with a full website refresh or brand upgrade.

• Best for: Established professionals who want a seamless, branded experience; those refreshing their website or building in SEO and automation

Over to you

There’s no best system – only the best one for you. Be honest about how you like to work, what your clients need, and what you can realistically maintain. It’s okay to start simple and switch later.

➣ If you’d like help choosing or setting up a system that works for you, book a free call and we can chat through it together.

➣ You can also download the comparison table to help weigh up your options at a glance.

➣ And I’d love to hear what you’re using - leave a comment below and let me know what you like (or don’t like!) about your current booking system.