GroomBook is a free, open-source platform for independent pet groomers and small salons. It combines online booking, client and pet records, breed-aware scheduling, reminders, payments, reports, and team controls. GroomBook runs as a web app or API through Docker Compose or Kubernetes, with data kept on your server. Native mobile apps and an integration hub are still upcoming.

What GroomBook does

GroomBook manages daily work for independent groomers and small salons. Clients can book online, while staff manage calendars, appointment conflicts, and breed-based appointment lengths.

Profiles hold grooming history, coat type, behavior notes, preferences, and vaccination dates. The platform also covers reminders, waitlists, point-of-sale, invoicing, tips, payment processing, and business reports.

Getting started

You can deploy GroomBook with Docker Compose or in a Kubernetes cluster. The setup includes a web interface and an API, and the project is self-hosted under the AGPL-3.0 license.

The default Docker Compose setup turns authentication off for exploration. For an internet-facing installation, the guide says to turn that setting off and configure OIDC, including Authentik.

Strengths

Online booking, SMS and email reminders, and a waitlist that fills canceled appointments cover key front-desk tasks.

Breed-aware timing, calendar conflict checks, and calendar sync through iCal can keep schedules organized. GroomBook can also work offline as a phone-based progressive web app.

Small teams get staff roles, access controls, scheduling, and groomer productivity tracking. Self-hosting keeps the data on the operator's server.

Catches

GroomBook is self-hosted, so the operator handles deployment and production authentication. The exploration configuration is not suitable for an internet-facing service until it is changed.

There is no native iOS or Android app yet, and the integration hub is listed as upcoming. Advanced reporting is also marked as upcoming, so check whether the current reporting tools cover your needs.

Before choosing it, compare the setup work with hosted options in pet grooming software.

Pricing

GroomBook is free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license. There are no paid plans listed in the available pricing facts.

The free model comes with self-hosting: you run the software and keep its data on your own server.

Who should skip GroomBook

Skip GroomBook if you need a ready-made native phone app, an integration hub today, or a hosted service that avoids deployment and authentication work.

Verdict

GroomBook suits technically comfortable groomers who want free, open-source software and control over where business data lives. Its booking, records, scheduling, reminders, payment, and team features cover a small salon's core workflow.

It is a weaker fit for owners who expect native mobile apps, broad integrations, or a managed setup. Confirm that the current reporting and deployment requirements match your operation before committing.

Good at

Free and open-source under the AGPL-3.0 license
Online booking, reminders, waitlist, payments, and reports
Breed-aware scheduling with conflict detection
Self-hosted data control with Docker or Kubernetes options
Offline-capable progressive web app

Watch for

Self-hosting and production authentication require technical work
Native iOS and Android apps are not available yet
Integration hub and advanced reporting are upcoming
Default exploration setup disables authentication

GroomBook plans and prices

GroomBook does not publish its prices; the maker quotes on request.

GroomBook is free and open source. The operator supplies and manages the self-hosted deployment.

Open source

Native iOS and Android apps and an integration hub are listed as upcoming. The default Docker Compose configuration disables authentication for exploration; the setup guide advises disabling that setting for internet-facing deployments and configuring OIDC for production.

Facts from GroomBook's own pages

Booking: Clients can book appointments through an online portal at any time.source, 11 Oct 2026
Pet records: Client and pet profiles can include grooming history, coat type, behavior notes, preferences, and vaccination dates.source, 11 Oct 2026
Scheduling: Scheduling supports breed-aware appointment durations, calendar management, and conflict detection.source, 11 Oct 2026
Reminders and waitlist: The site describes SMS and email reminders and a waitlist that fills cancellations.source, 11 Oct 2026
Payments and reports: The product pages describe POS, invoicing, tips, and reporting for revenue and utilization.source, 11 Oct 2026
Calendar integration: The site says calendar events can sync with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook via iCal.source, 11 Oct 2026
Offline use: GroomBook is a PWA that the site says can work offline on a phone.source, 11 Oct 2026
Deployment and API: GroomBook can run with Docker Compose or in a Kubernetes cluster, and its setup guide lists a web UI and API.source, 11 Oct 2026
Authentication security: The default Docker Compose configuration disables authentication for exploration, and the guide says to disable that setting for internet-facing deployments and configure OIDC for production.source, 11 Oct 2026
License and data control: The project identifies its license as AGPL-3.0 and describes GroomBook as self-hostable, with data kept on the operator's server.source, 11 Oct 2026
Roadmap limits: Native iOS and Android apps and an integration hub are listed as upcoming features.source, 11 Oct 2026
Pet records: Pet profiles can include breed data, coat notes, behavior flags, vaccination dates, allergies, preferences, and grooming history.source, 11 Oct 2026
Payments and reporting: The site lists POS, tips, invoicing, payment processing, and business reporting among its features.source, 11 Oct 2026
Team tools: For small teams, the site lists staff roles, access controls, scheduling, and groomer productivity tracking.source, 11 Oct 2026
Hosting and license: GroomBook is self-hostable and released under the AGPL-3.0 license; the maker documents Docker Compose and Kubernetes deployment options.source, 11 Oct 2026
Security configuration: The Getting Started guide says the default Docker Compose setup disables authentication for exploration and instructs users to disable that setting for internet-facing deployments.source, 11 Oct 2026
Authentication: The maker describes OIDC authentication via Authentik and says authentication can be disabled for local development.source, 11 Oct 2026
Upcoming features: The homepage marks native iOS and Android apps, advanced reporting, and an integration hub as upcoming.source, 11 Oct 2026

Best for

Independent groomers and small salons
Teams wanting self-hosted, open-source software
Operators needing booking, records, and payments together

Skip it if

You need native iOS or Android apps now
You prefer a fully managed hosted service
You require an integration hub today

Questions

Is GroomBook free?

Yes. GroomBook is free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license.

Can clients book appointments online?

Yes. GroomBook provides an online booking portal that clients can use at any time.

Does GroomBook send reminders?

The product lists SMS and email reminders, plus a waitlist that can fill canceled appointments.

Can GroomBook process payments?

Yes. Its listed business tools include point-of-sale, invoicing, tips, and payment processing.

Does GroomBook have a mobile app?

There is no native iOS or Android app yet. GroomBook is a progressive web app that the site says can work offline on a phone.

Where is GroomBook hosted?

GroomBook is self-hostable, with data kept on the operator's server. Deployment options include Docker Compose and Kubernetes.

How is authentication configured?

The default Docker Compose setup disables authentication for exploration. The guide instructs internet-facing deployments to disable that setting and configure OIDC.

Verdict

Choose GroomBook when ownership of the system and its data matters more than a managed service. It brings booking, client records, calendar controls, reminders, payments, and staff functions into one free package. The trade-off is operational responsibility: deployment, updates, and secure authentication sit with the operator. A progressive web app helps on phones, but native iOS and Android apps are not available yet. Salons seeking a hosted product or broader integrations should compare other grooming platforms before deciding.