Tekmetric vs Kennel Connection: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Tekmetric and Kennel Connection 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: Tekmetric is our overall pick for practice management workflows. Pick Kennel Connection 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:
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.
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.
| At a Glance |  Tekmetric |  Kennel Connection |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $39/moTire Suite Add-on | $50/mo2-Way SMS |
Best For | Practice Management | Practice Management |
Rating | 4.9/5 | 4.5/5 |
Choose Tekmetric or Kennel Connection?
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.
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.
| Feature | Tekmetric | Kennel Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.9/5 564 reviews | ★4.5/5 83 reviews |
| Categories | Practice ManagementPayment Processing | Practice ManagementCRM |
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
Pricing: Tekmetric vs Kennel Connection
| Plan | Tekmetric | Kennel Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $199/month Start | $149/month KC Cloud |
| Tier 2 | $179/month Start (Annual) | $69/month Hello-Groom |
| Tier 3 | $349/month Grow | $149/month Hybrid Online & Offline Access |
| Tier 4 | $309/month Grow (Annual) | $89+/month Desktop Offline Access Only |
| Tier 5 | $439/month Scale | $50/month 2-Way SMS |
| Tier 6 | $409/month Scale (Annual) | Contact for Pricing VoIP |
| Tier 7 | Contact us Enterprise | Contact for Pricing Corporate |
| Tier 8 | $70 per month per shop Multi-Shop Add-on | N/A |
| Tier 9 | $39 per month per shop Tire Suite Add-on | N/A |
| Tier 10 | $345 per month per shop Marketing Add-on | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Tekmetric pricing and Kennel Connection pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Tekmetric
Want the highest-rated option?
Tekmetric: 4.9/5 (564 reviews). Kennel Connection: 4.5/5 (83 reviews).
Go with: Tekmetric
Value user reviews?
Tekmetric: 564 reviews (4.9/5). Kennel Connection: 83 reviews (4.5/5).
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
Tekmetric
- Higher user rating: 4.9/5 vs 4.5/5
- Larger review base (564 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Kennel Connection
- Choose if you want comprehensive software for managing pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and other pet care services
The Bottom Line
Tekmetric is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tekmetric or Kennel Connection better?
Tekmetric is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Tekmetric and Kennel Connection used for?
Tekmetric: Cloud-based platform for auto repair shop management, payments, and customer engagement.. Kennel Connection: Comprehensive software for managing pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and other pet care services..
What does Tekmetric cost vs Kennel Connection?
Tekmetric is a paid tool. Kennel Connection is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.