DoggieDashboard is attractive because it has a real free entry point. For a new pet-care business, that can be helpful. DogWalkr is different: it is built specifically around the direct-client dog walking workflow rather than broad daycare, kennel, boarding, grooming, trainer, and walker use cases.
Checked June 2026, DoggieDashboard's public site says it is free for up to 10 pet profiles, Premium Monthly is $40/month, and Premium Yearly is $400/year. It also lists client management, pet management, appointment management, e-sign waivers, reporting, invoicing, and billing.
Quick comparison table
| Category | DogWalkr | Comparison option |
|---|---|---|
| Fees and commission | 0% commission on direct bookings. | Software subscription/free tier, not marketplace commission. |
| Public pricing | Current price lives on DogWalkr pricing page. | Free up to 10 pet profiles; Premium Monthly $40/month; Premium Yearly $400/year. Source: DoggieDashboard product and pricing. |
| Core positioning | Dog-walking-focused direct booking and recurring walks. | Daycare, boarding, kennel, pet business, and walker management. |
| Pet/client records | Dog and client records for walking clients. | Client and pet management, vaccine tracking, documents, and intake forms. |
| Billing/admin | Not positioned as a full billing suite. | Invoicing, billing, reporting, waivers, and appointment management. |
| Best fit | Independent walkers who want a focused booking and review flow. | New or broad pet businesses that want a free/low-cost management tool. |
Who each option is best for
DogWalkr is a better fit when...
- You want a dog-walking-specific client flow.
- Reviews, photo reports, and recurring walks matter most.
- You want less generic pet-business admin.
The other option is a better fit when...
- You want a free tier while testing a broad pet business.
- You need daycare/boarding/grooming-style records.
- Invoicing, waivers, vaccines, and reporting are central.
What DoggieDashboard does well
DoggieDashboard's free tier is the headline. A tool that lets a new business manage up to 10 pet profiles before paying can be useful when cash is tight. Its public site also lists useful features such as pet records, appointment management, waivers, reporting, invoicing, and billing.
Where DogWalkr is different
DogWalkr is narrower and more dog-walking-specific. The point is not to manage every kind of pet business. It is to help a walker get booked directly, stay organized with recurring walks, keep dog/client notes close, send photo reports, and collect reviews on an owned profile.
Free is not the only decision
A free tier can be great while testing. But once a walker is getting recurring direct clients, the question becomes whether the workflow feels built for dog walking. Generic pet-business tools can be flexible, but flexibility sometimes means more setup and less focus.
Which should you choose?
Choose DoggieDashboard if you want a broad free-to-paid pet-business management tool. Choose DogWalkr if your buyer journey is simpler: a client finds your business, books a walk, and then becomes part of an organized recurring route.
How to think about the free tier
A free plan is useful when you are still proving the business. Once the business has recurring direct clients, the cost of confusion can be higher than the software bill: missed details, unclear booking expectations, forgotten review requests, or clients who do not know how to book again. At that point, compare the workflow, not only the first-month cost.
Helpful next reads
Do you need dog walking software? Dog walking booking link tips Rate calculator Pricing
DoggieDashboard product and pricing. Competitor prices, fees, and policies change, so use these as the basis for this article and re-check before major revisions.
For DogWalkr's current plan price, see the pricing page.