Kennel Connection vs Tekmetric: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Kennel Connection and Tekmetric comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Kennel Connection is our overall pick for practice management workflows. Pick Tekmetric if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Kennel Connection
Comprehensive software for managing pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and other pet care services.
Best for you if:
- • Manages pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and other pet services.
- • Offers flexible cloud, hybrid, and offline deployment options.
Tekmetric
Cloud-based platform for auto repair shop management, payments, and customer engagement.
Best for you if:
- • All-in-one cloud platform for auto repair shop management.
- • Integrates shop operations, payment processing, and customer marketing.
| At a Glance |  Kennel Connection |  Tekmetric |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $50/mo2-Way SMS | $39/moTire Suite Add-on |
Best For | Practice Management | Practice Management |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.9/5 |
Choose Kennel Connection or Tekmetric?
Choose Kennel Connection if
Comprehensive software for managing pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and other pet care services.
- Offers flexible deployment options including cloud, hybrid, and offline desktop access.
- Provides comprehensive features for various pet care services beyond just boarding.
- Includes integrated payment solutions like Text-To-Pay and in-house processing.
Choose Tekmetric if
Cloud-based platform for auto repair shop management, payments, and customer engagement.
- Consolidates multiple business functions into one platform, reducing reliance on disconnected tools.
- Offers integrated payment solutions to speed up cash flow and automate reconciliation.
- Includes marketing features to help retain customers and generate repeat business.
| Feature | Kennel Connection | Tekmetric |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 83 reviews | ★4.9/5 564 reviews |
| Categories | Practice ManagementCRM | Practice ManagementPayment Processing |
In-Depth Analysis
Kennel Connection
Comprehensive software for managing pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and other pet care services.
Strengths
- +Offers flexible deployment options including cloud, hybrid, and offline desktop access.
- +Provides comprehensive features for various pet care services beyond just boarding.
- +Includes integrated payment solutions like Text-To-Pay and in-house processing.
- +Features robust client communication tools such as unlimited two-way SMS and mass texting.
- +Backed by 30 years of industry experience and dedicated customer support.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing is not transparent for all plans, requiring contact for corporate and VoIP options.
- -Specific details on integration with third-party tools are not explicitly listed.
- -The comparison chart only highlights features where Kennel Connection excels, not a full feature-by-feature comparison with competitors.
Key features
Tekmetric
Cloud-based platform for auto repair shop management, payments, and customer engagement.
Strengths
- +Consolidates multiple business functions into one platform, reducing reliance on disconnected tools.
- +Offers integrated payment solutions to speed up cash flow and automate reconciliation.
- +Includes marketing features to help retain customers and generate repeat business.
- +Provides unlimited users and repair orders across all plans.
- +Supports multi-location businesses with specialized features.
Weaknesses
- -No free trial explicitly mentioned, only a demo.
- -Pricing can be significant for smaller shops, starting at $199/month.
- -Advanced features like two-way texting and real-time dashboards are only available in higher-tier plans.
Key features
Pricing: Kennel Connection vs Tekmetric
| Plan | Kennel Connection | Tekmetric |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $149/month KC Cloud | $199/month Start |
| Tier 2 | $69/month Hello-Groom | $179/month Start (Annual) |
| Tier 3 | $149/month Hybrid Online & Offline Access | $349/month Grow |
| Tier 4 | $89+/month Desktop Offline Access Only | $309/month Grow (Annual) |
| Tier 5 | $50/month 2-Way SMS | $439/month Scale |
| Tier 6 | Contact for Pricing VoIP | $409/month Scale (Annual) |
| Tier 7 | Contact for Pricing Corporate | Contact us Enterprise |
| Tier 8 | N/A | $70 per month per shop Multi-Shop Add-on |
| Tier 9 | N/A | $39 per month per shop Tire Suite Add-on |
| Tier 10 | N/A | $345 per month per shop Marketing Add-on |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Kennel Connection pricing and Tekmetric pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Kennel Connection
Want the highest-rated option?
Kennel Connection: 4.5/5 (83 reviews). Tekmetric: 4.9/5 (564 reviews).
Go with: Tekmetric
Value user reviews?
Kennel Connection: 83 reviews (4.5/5). Tekmetric: 564 reviews (4.9/5).
Go with: Tekmetric
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are practice management tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Tekmetric is rated higher: 4.9/5 vs 4.5/5.
Key Takeaways
Kennel Connection
- Our pick for this comparison
Tekmetric
- Higher user rating: 4.9/5 vs 4.5/5
- Larger review base (564 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Kennel Connection is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kennel Connection or Tekmetric better?
Kennel Connection is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Kennel Connection and Tekmetric used for?
Kennel Connection: Comprehensive software for managing pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and other pet care services.. Tekmetric: Cloud-based platform for auto repair shop management, payments, and customer engagement..
What does Kennel Connection cost vs Tekmetric?
Kennel Connection is a paid tool. Tekmetric is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.