GroomBook

Paid APISelf-hostedWeb

What GroomBook is

GroomBook is a free, open-source web tool for grooming businesses. Its listed functions cover customer booking and several business tasks: online booking, pet records, automated reminders, payment processing, and staff scheduling. That puts booking alongside records and day-to-day coordination in a single web-based product. Pet records make its feature set specific to grooming, while reminders and payment processing address other parts of the booking operation. GroomBook is available on the web, and no mobile app is listed. Its access route is therefore the web rather than a dedicated app for phones or tablets. The named capabilities are focused: they include booking, pet information, reminders, payments, and staff schedules. The listed details do not establish additional business functions beyond those areas. GroomBook’s website is groombook.dev.

Who it suits

It suits grooming businesses that want web-based booking alongside pet records, reminders, payment processing, and staff scheduling. It may be less suitable for someone who needs a dedicated mobile app.

What it does well

Free and open source
Customers can book online
Includes pet records and automated reminders
Supports payment processing and staff scheduling

What to know first

No mobile app
Available on the web

Limits

Native iOS and Android apps, advanced reporting, and an integration hub are listed as upcoming features. The default Docker Compose setup disables authentication for exploration; the guide instructs operators to disable that setting for internet-facing deployments and configure OIDC for production.

Getting started

Open the GroomBook website.
Choose a deployment route: Docker Compose or a Kubernetes cluster.
Use the web UI and API described in the setup guide.
For local exploration, the default Docker Compose setup disables authentication.
Before an internet-facing deployment, disable that setting and configure OIDC for production.
Use the online portal for client bookings and set up records, schedules, and reminders.

Verdict

GroomBook covers several grooming-business tasks, from online booking to records, reminders, payments, and staff scheduling. Its listed access is web-only, with no mobile app.

Questions

Is GroomBook free and open source?

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

Can GroomBook be self-hosted?

Yes. It can run with Docker Compose or in a Kubernetes cluster, and the project describes data as staying on the operator's server.

Does GroomBook have a mobile app?

Native iOS and Android apps are listed as upcoming. GroomBook is a progressive web app that can work offline on a phone.

Can clients book appointments online?

Yes. Clients can book through an online portal at any time.

Which calendars can GroomBook sync with?

Calendar events can sync with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook through iCal.

What payment and business tools does it include?

GroomBook lists point-of-sale tools, invoicing, tips, payment processing, and reporting for revenue and utilization.

Facts from GroomBook's own pages

Authentication: The maker describes OIDC authentication via Authentik and says authentication can be disabled for local development. · groombook.dev, 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. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Booking: Clients can book appointments through an online portal at any time. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Calendar integration: The site says calendar events can sync with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook via iCal. · groombook.dev, 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. · groombook.dev, 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. · groombook.dev, 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. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Offline use: GroomBook is a PWA that the site says can work offline on a phone. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Payments and reporting: The site lists POS, tips, invoicing, payment processing, and business reporting among its features. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Payments and reports: The product pages describe POS, invoicing, tips, and reporting for revenue and utilization. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Pet records: Client and pet profiles can include grooming history, coat type, behavior notes, preferences, and vaccination dates. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: GroomBook is an open source pet grooming business management and customer relationship platform for independent groomers and small salons. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Reminders and waitlist: The site describes SMS and email reminders and a waitlist that fills cancellations. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Roadmap limits: Native iOS and Android apps and an integration hub are listed as upcoming features. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Scheduling: Scheduling supports breed-aware appointment durations, calendar management, and conflict detection. · groombook.dev, 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. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Support and community: The site links to GitHub issues and a Discord community for reporting issues and joining discussions. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Team tools: For small teams, the site lists staff roles, access controls, scheduling, and groomer productivity tracking. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Upcoming features: The homepage marks native iOS and Android apps, advanced reporting, and an integration hub as upcoming. · groombook.dev, 11 Oct 2026

Where GroomBook stands on Freedom251

Pet Grooming Software#9 of 19
Pet Grooming Scheduling Software#24 of 30