DaySmart (formerly 123Pet) has been around for years. Teddy is the newer challenger. Both serve groomers, but with different approaches.

DaySmart offers proven reliability with a traditional interface. Teddy delivers a modern experience with unlimited messaging at the core.

Here’s how they compare.

Quick Comparison

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Pricing Breakdown

Teddy Pricing

• Single plan: Competitive pricing
• SMS: Unlimited included
• No per-user fees
• 14-day free trial

DaySmart Pricing

• Starter: $29/month
• Standard: Competitive pricing
• Premium: $79/month
• SMS: Additional cost (~$0.03–$0.05 per message)
• 14-day free trial

True Monthly Cost

DaySmart’s lower starting price can be misleading once you add SMS.

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At moderate texting volumes, the costs equalize. Heavy texters save more with Teddy.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Scheduling & Calendar

Teddy

• Modern calendar interface
• Day/week/month views
• Color-coded appointments
• Drag-and-drop rescheduling
• Multi-groomer support
• Recurring appointments

DaySmart

• Traditional calendar layout
• Multiple view options
• Staff scheduling
• Resource management
• Recurring appointments
• Waitlist management

Verdict: Both handle scheduling well. Teddy feels more modern; DaySmart feels familiar to longtime users.

Client Communication

Teddy

• Unlimited two-way SMS
• Automated appointment reminders
• Customizable message templates
• Full conversation history
• No messaging caps or fees

DaySmart

• SMS messaging (paid add-on)
• Email communications
• Automated reminders
• Marketing messages
• Communication logs

Verdict: Teddy wins on messaging value. DaySmart’s SMS add-on increases total cost for text-heavy businesses.

Online Booking

Teddy

• Request-based system
• Clients request times; you approve
• Prevents overbooking
• Integrated intake forms
• Website booking widget

DaySmart

• Direct booking into calendar
• Clients see and book open slots
• More client self-service
• Basic customization
• Website integration

Verdict: Different philosophies. Teddy offers control; DaySmart offers convenience. The better option depends on your preference.

Client & Pet Management

Teddy

• Detailed client profiles
• Pet profiles with grooming notes
• Breed, weight, temperament tracking
• Service history
• Photo storage
• Digital intake forms
• Service agreements

DaySmart

• Client database
• Pet records
• Vaccination tracking
• Service history
• Notes and alerts
• Document storage

Verdict: Comparable functionality. Both handle the essentials well.

Payments

Teddy

• Square integration
• Invoice generation
• Payment tracking
• Tip management

DaySmart

• Built-in payment processing
• Multiple payment types
• Invoicing
• Gift card support
• Basic inventory/retail

Verdict: DaySmart offers more built-in payment flexibility. Teddy works well for Square users.

Reporting

Teddy

• Revenue reports
• Appointment analytics
• Client retention metrics
• Basic business insights

DaySmart

• Sales reports
• Staff performance
• Client reports
• Custom reporting (higher tiers)
• Business analytics

Verdict: DaySmart provides deeper reporting, especially on premium tiers.

Mobile Experience

Teddy

• Fully responsive web app
• Works on any mobile browser
• Consistent across devices
• No app download needed

DaySmart

• Native mobile app
• Some mobile feature limitations
• Push notifications
• Limited offline capability

Verdict: DaySmart offers a native app, but it’s basic. Teddy’s web approach works reliably across devices.

Pros and Cons

Teddy

Pros

• Unlimited SMS included
• Modern, clean interface
• Easy to learn
• Request-based booking control
• Digital forms included
• Predictable monthly cost

Cons

• Newer platform
• Fewer integrations
• No native mobile app
• Less reporting depth
• Smaller user community

DaySmart

Pros

• Lower starting price
• Proven track record
• Direct booking option
• More payment flexibility
• Deeper reporting (premium tiers)
• Established support

Cons

• Interface feels dated
• SMS costs extra
• Basic mobile experience
• Premium features require higher tiers

Who Should Choose Teddy?

Teddy fits best if:

• You send lots of text messages
• You want a modern interface
• You prefer request-based booking control
• Predictable monthly costs matter
• You value simplicity over extensive features

Example: A solo groomer sending 500+ texts monthly for confirmations and updates. Unlimited messaging creates real savings.

Who Should Choose DaySmart?

DaySmart fits best if:

• Budget is your top priority
• You prefer direct client booking
• You don’t text heavily
• You want established, proven software
• You need deeper reporting

Example: A traditional salon moving from paper to digital with moderate texting volume.

The Interface Factor

This matters more than many comparisons acknowledge.

DaySmart works, but the interface feels from a previous era. Functional — but dated.

Teddy reflects modern design principles: cleaner, more intuitive, easier to navigate.

You’ll use this software every day. Interface quality significantly impacts your experience.

The SMS Cost Reality

Light Texter (200 messages/month)

• Teddy: $49
• DaySmart + SMS: ~$35–39
• DaySmart saves ~$10–14

Moderate Texter (400 messages/month)

• Teddy: $49
• DaySmart + SMS: ~$41–49
• Roughly equivalent

Heavy Texter (600+ messages/month)

• Teddy: $49
• DaySmart + SMS: ~$47–59
• Teddy saves $0–10

Very Heavy Texter (1,000+ messages/month)

• Teddy: $49
• DaySmart + SMS: ~$59–79
• Teddy saves $10–30

Calculate your real messaging volume before deciding.

Switching Considerations

Moving from DaySmart to Teddy

• Export client data (CSV)
• Import into Teddy
• Adjust to request-based booking
• Save on messaging if high volume

Moving from Teddy to DaySmart

• Export/import client data
• Adapt to direct booking
• Budget for SMS costs
• Gain additional reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DaySmart cheaper than Teddy?
Base price: yes. Total cost depends on SMS volume.

Does Teddy have a mobile app?
No native app. It’s web-based and mobile responsive.

Which has better support?
Both are reputable. DaySmart has a longer history; Teddy has a smaller but responsive team.

Can I import data from DaySmart to Teddy?
Yes — export as CSV and import.

Is DaySmart the same as 123Pet?
Yes. DaySmart acquired and rebranded 123Pet.

The Verdict

Choose Teddy if:
You text frequently, want modern design, and prefer predictable pricing.

Choose DaySmart if:
Budget is key, texting volume is low, and you prefer direct booking.

Both platforms work. The right choice depends on messaging volume, interface preference, and budget priorities.

Try Both Before Deciding

• Teddy: 14-day free trial
• DaySmart: 14-day free trial

Book test appointments. Send messages. Explore the interface.

The right fit becomes clear when you use it.