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 wins this matchup. Our overall Practice Management pick is Fresha. Our free Practice Management pick is Virtuagym. 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:
- • You want consolidates multiple business functions into one platform, reducing reliance on disconnected tools
- • You want offers integrated payment solutions to speed up cash flow and automate reconciliation
Kennel Connection
Comprehensive software for managing pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and other pet care services.
Best for you if:
- • You want offers flexible deployment options including cloud, hybrid, and offline desktop access
- • You want provides comprehensive features for various pet care services beyond just boarding
| At a Glance | Tekmetric | Kennel Connection |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $39/moTire Suite Add-on | $50/mo2-Way SMS |
Best For | Practice Management | Practice Management |
Rating | 4.8/5 | - |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Tekmetric or Kennel Connection?
Choose Tekmetric if
Cloud-based platform for auto repair shop management, payments, and customer engagement.
- You want consolidates multiple business functions into one platform, reducing reliance on disconnected tools
- You want offers integrated payment solutions to speed up cash flow and automate reconciliation
Choose Kennel Connection if
Comprehensive software for managing pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and other pet care services.
- You want offers flexible deployment options including cloud, hybrid, and offline desktop access
- You want provides comprehensive features for various pet care services beyond just boarding
| Feature | Tekmetric | Kennel Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.8/5 611 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Practice ManagementPayment Processing | Practice ManagementCRM |
In-Depth Analysis
Tekmetric
Cloud-based platform for auto repair shop management, payments, and customer engagement.
Tekmetric's pricing is on the higher side compared to some basic shop management software, with the 'Start' tier at $199/month.
Watch out
Add-ons for multi-shop, tires, marketing
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, offering paid tiers.
- -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.
Kennel Connection's pricing is fair for comprehensive pet care management, with the KC Cloud and Hybrid Online & Offline Access tiers both at $149/month offering unlimited modules.
Watch out
2-Way SMS is an additional $50/month.
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 is rated 4.8/5. Kennel Connection has no ratings yet.
Go with: Tekmetric
Value user reviews?
Tekmetric: 611 reviews (4.8/5). Kennel Connection: no ratings yet.
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 4.8/5; Kennel Connection has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Tekmetric
- 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 wins this matchup. Our overall Practice Management pick is Fresha. Our free Practice Management pick is Virtuagym.
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.