Is BusyPaws available in Australia?

Yes, BusyPaws offers AUD pricing. However, Petboost offers $65/month (waived at $7,500+ in card payments) pricing, local AEST support, and native AU payment processing.

Does Petboost have GPS tracking?

Yes. Petboost captures GPS coordinates at check-in and checkout, plus location data from uploaded photos, all plotted on an interactive Magic Map. What we don't offer is continuous route tracking during walks. BusyPaws also does not offer GPS tracking. If continuous walk route maps are essential, consider Time To Pet, Scout for Pets, or PetPocketbook.

What should I check before trusting any platform with my client book?

Ask the same questions of every provider, including us. How long has the platform been operating, and who runs on it today? Can you export your data whenever you want, in a format another system can read? Is there a real migration path in, done for you, and a clear way out if you ever leave? Is the plan you need available to buy today, or marked as coming soon? Petboost has been running Australian pet businesses since 2022. Your data is yours to export at any time, and our team does your migration for you.

Petboost vs BusyPaws | AU Pet Business Comparison

1800 291 005Petboost vs BusyPaws | AU Pet Business Comparison | Petboost

Where Petboost Shines

Built for Australian Businesses

US-based software simply can't match these Australian-specific advantages.

Payment Processing

Processing

BusyPaws

US-based

Petboost

Stripe AU 1.7% + $0.30; Petboost booking fee 1.2-1.4%

Payment Processing	BusyPaws	Petboost
Processing	US-based	Stripe AU 1.7% + $0.30; Petboost booking fee 1.2-1.4%

SMS Functionality

SMS Availability

BusyPaws

Usage-based add-on. Not on Free Trial or Starter plans. Team+ only (A$150+/mo)

Petboost

Included with Business Pro, Flex & Max plans

2-Way Messaging

BusyPaws

Full 2-way with dedicated number (local area code)

Petboost

Communications Booster add-on with dedicated AU number

SMS Pricing (AU)

BusyPaws

Tiered: 1-100 segs $5, then $50 per 500-seg tier, $0.10/seg overflow. ~4x US rate

Petboost

Published credit packs in AUD

Cost for 500 SMS/mo

BusyPaws

~$55 AUD (on top of A$150+/mo plan)

Petboost

Included in plan credits

Segment Counting

BusyPaws

153 chars/segment. Both sent AND received count toward usage

Petboost

Standard encoding. Inbound fees vary by plan

SMS Payment Links

BusyPaws

Not available

Petboost

SMS payment links

Currency

BusyPaws

AUD/USD/CAD/GBP supported

Petboost

AUD

AU Overflow Rate

BusyPaws

$0.10 AUD/segment (vs $0.025 USD in US, roughly 4x more expensive)

Petboost

Transparent credit packs in AUD

SMS Functionality	BusyPaws	Petboost
SMS Availability	Usage-based add-on. Not on Free Trial or Starter plans. Team+ only (A$150+/mo)	Included with Business Pro, Flex & Max plans
2-Way Messaging	Full 2-way with dedicated number (local area code)	Communications Booster add-on with dedicated AU number
SMS Pricing (AU)	Tiered: 1-100 segs $5, then $50 per 500-seg tier, $0.10/seg overflow. ~4x US rate	Published credit packs in AUD
Cost for 500 SMS/mo	~$55 AUD (on top of A$150+/mo plan)	Included in plan credits
Segment Counting	153 chars/segment. Both sent AND received count toward usage	Standard encoding. Inbound fees vary by plan
SMS Payment Links	Not available	SMS payment links
Currency	AUD/USD/CAD/GBP supported	AUD
AU Overflow Rate	$0.10 AUD/segment (vs $0.025 USD in US, roughly 4x more expensive)	Transparent credit packs in AUD

Where Each Platform Excels

An honest look at how each platform handles key functionality.

Feature comparison

BusyPaws vs Petboost

Pet Owner Booking Experience

Self-service booking flow for pet owners

Petboost eliminates registration friction with phone-first auth

BusyPaws

Account-based booking portal

Petboost

Passwordless phone login, progressive info collection, 24/7 booking in 38 seconds for a returning customer and 56 for a new one

Pet Profile Visibility (Owner)

What pet owners can see and manage about their pets

Petboost gives owners comprehensive view of their pet records

BusyPaws

Basic pet info and visit history

Petboost

Full pet profile with vaccinations, care notes, family pets, emergency contacts

Pet Attributes Library

Pre-built tags for allergies, grooming prefs, behavioural traits

Petboost has comprehensive attribute library with customer self-service

BusyPaws

Basic pet notes

Petboost

1,600+ pre-built attributes across 48 categories

Pet & Owner Profiles

Comprehensive profile hub with tabs for appointments, packages, sales, settings & paperwork

Petboost offers complete pet identity management with integrated packages, vaccinations & paperwork

BusyPaws

Basic client profiles

Petboost

Nine tabs, plus Messages and Care & Grooming Templates when they apply, with per-customer policy overrides & collaborative management

Target Market

Primary focus

BusyPaws

Pet sitting/walking

Petboost

Multi-vertical pet services

Payment Processing

Transaction rates

BusyPaws

US-based (international fees)

Petboost

Stripe AU 1.7% + $0.30; Petboost booking fee 1.2-1.4%

SMS

Text notifications

BusyPaws

US phone format

Petboost

AU-native (+61)

Support Timezone

Support hours

BusyPaws

US timezone

Petboost

AEST/AEDT

Multi-Service

Beyond sitting/walking

BusyPaws

Sitting/walking focus

Petboost

All verticals native

Feature comparison BusyPaws vs Petboost	B BusyPaws USA	P Petboost Australian-built
Pet Owner Booking Experience Self-service booking flow for pet owners Petboost eliminates registration friction with phone-first auth	Account-based booking portal	Passwordless phone login, progressive info collection, 24/7 booking in 38 seconds for a returning customer and 56 for a new one
Pet Profile Visibility (Owner) What pet owners can see and manage about their pets Petboost gives owners comprehensive view of their pet records	Basic pet info and visit history	Full pet profile with vaccinations, care notes, family pets, emergency contacts
Pet Attributes Library Pre-built tags for allergies, grooming prefs, behavioural traits Petboost has comprehensive attribute library with customer self-service	Basic pet notes	1,600+ pre-built attributes across 48 categories
Pet & Owner Profiles Comprehensive profile hub with tabs for appointments, packages, sales, settings & paperwork Petboost offers complete pet identity management with integrated packages, vaccinations & paperwork	Basic client profiles	Nine tabs, plus Messages and Care & Grooming Templates when they apply, with per-customer policy overrides & collaborative management
Target Market Primary focus	Pet sitting/walking	Multi-vertical pet services
Payment Processing Transaction rates	US-based (international fees)	Stripe AU 1.7% + $0.30; Petboost booking fee 1.2-1.4%
SMS Text notifications	US phone format	AU-native (+61)
Support Timezone Support hours	US timezone	AEST/AEDT
Multi-Service Beyond sitting/walking	Sitting/walking focus	All verticals native

Last checked 7th September 2026 • Based on publicly available information

Our Focused Approach

We do fewer things exceptionally well rather than many things adequately. Our customers consistently tell us our design and user experience is miles ahead. Here's where we've intentionally focused elsewhere:

Continuous GPS route tracking

Focused elsewhere

We capture GPS at check-in/checkout and from photo EXIF data (Magic Map). Neither BusyPaws nor Petboost offers continuous route tracking.

Structured visit fields

Considering

Neither BusyPaws nor Petboost has purpose-built feeding, medication and bathroom fields on the visit report. Petboost has Report Cards with free-form notes, photos and Magic Map, plus custom fields and intake forms you can set to run every appointment.

Feature	Status	Our Approach
Continuous GPS route tracking	Focused elsewhere	We capture GPS at check-in/checkout and from photo EXIF data (Magic Map). Neither BusyPaws nor Petboost offers continuous route tracking.
Structured visit fields	Considering	Neither BusyPaws nor Petboost has purpose-built feeding, medication and bathroom fields on the visit report. Petboost has Report Cards with free-form notes, photos and Magic Map, plus custom fields and intake forms you can set to run every appointment.

If any of these are dealbreakers today, BusyPaws may be better suited for your current needs.

Real Cost Comparison

Based on typical Australian pet business transaction volumes.

* For illustrative purposes only, based on industry averages. Your actual costs may vary.

Cost Type	BusyPaws	Petboost
Monthly Subscription	$79-299 AUD/month	$65/mo (or $0 at $7,500+/mo)
Payment Processing	Standard rates	Stripe AU 1.7% + $0.30; Petboost booking fee 1.2-1.4%
Petboost Booking Fee	N/A	1.2-1.4% on card payments

You may be paying twice with BusyPaws

$79-299 AUD/month subscription, plus US-based payment processing: 2.9-5%+ (vs Stripe 1.7% + $0.30 through Petboost; Petboost booking fee 1.2-1.4%). With Petboost, you pay $65/month (waived at $7,500+ in card payments), a booking fee on card payments (1.2% to 1.4% by plan), and Stripe's Australian rate as a separate Stripe charge.

What Could You Save?

Calculate your potential savings

Your savings depend on your business size and payment volume. Use the calculator below for a personalised estimate.

See your numbers

Which plan is right for you?

Enter your numbers and see

Business Pro starts at $65/month with 450 appointments included. Business Max at $240/month gives you unlimited appointments.

Total monthly revenue

Total customer payments (all methods)

$1k$25k$50k

Monthly bookings

Appointments you expect each month

50450 (Pro)2,5005,000

Monthly text messages

Reminders and notifications sent

0500 (Pro)1,000 (Max)2,000

Payment method mix

What percentage of payments go through card on file?

$2,000 cash/EFTPOS

80%card on file

$8,000 card

All cash/EFTPOSAll card on file

Petboost Booking Fee (1.4%)

Stripe Processing (1.7% + $0.30)

Business Pro

Subscription waived

Subscription waived. Your $65/month fee is $0.

Monthly fee$65$0

Appointments (100/month)Within limit

Team members$0

SMS (300 messages)Within 500 limit

Booking fee (1.4% on card payments)~$112

Stripe processing (card payments)~$160

Your Total Cost~$272

Hidden Costs of Non-Card Payments

$408/mo

20 of your 100 appointments are paid without card on file

Your card-on-file fee: $28/mo→Saves: $408/mo

$1 in fees saves $15 in hidden costs

Annual impact: $4,892/year in recoverable losses

Generous SMS Limits

Business Pro includes 500 SMS/month. Most businesses never hit these limits. You've set 300 SMS/month. You're well within your limit!

When to Upgrade

At your current revenue, Business Max becomes better value at 1,000 appointments/month. You're at 100.

Your Savings

Save $569+ per month compared to typical competitors.

Quick Plan Comparison

Business Pro

• $65/month (waived at $7,500+ card payment volume)
• 450 appointments included
• $0.40/appointment after 450
• 500 SMS/month included
• 1.4% booking fee on card payments

Business Flex

• $135/month (waived at $13,500+ card payment volume)
• 650 appointments included
• $0.50/appointment after 650
• 700 SMS/month included
• 1.4% booking fee on card payments

Business Max

• $240/month (waived at $20,000+ card payment volume)
• Unlimited appointments
• No per-appointment overage fees
• 1,000 SMS/month included
• 1.2% booking fee on card payments

All plans include SMS Power-Up Packs at $15 for 100 additional SMS if needed.

* Estimates based on $10,000 total revenue (80% card on file), 100 appointments, and 300 SMS. Hidden cost estimates use industry averages for no-show rates, cancellation losses, and admin time. Actual costs vary.

Already using BusyPaws?Australian businesses switch to Petboost for transparent, predictable pricing

The short version

Why businesses choose Petboost

Built for Australian Businesses

Packages your clients buy themselves

1 system, 1 plan, multi-category

Easy for Pet Owners

The Facts at a Glance

Built for Australian Businesses

Payment Processing

Processing

SMS Functionality

SMS Availability

2-Way Messaging

SMS Pricing (AU)

Cost for 500 SMS/mo

Segment Counting

SMS Payment Links

Currency

AU Overflow Rate

Consider BusyPaws only if

Petboost?

Where Each Platform Excels