- Choose Square if you take most payments in person, want the lowest tap rate and card readers that just work, or a free booking plan is enough.
- Choose PackOffice if you sell programs on payment plans, run classes with waitlists and check-in, and want GST invoices, bank matching and BAS figures in the same place.
What Square does well
Credit where it is due. Square has a free plan, no limit on staff, and card readers that are easy to use. Its in-person rate starts at 1.6% for sellers who joined from 30 May 2024. Plus adds group classes, custom texts and no-show fees on a card on file, and every plan has text and email reminders and prepayments.
Side by side
| For a dog trainer | Square Appointments | PackOffice |
|---|---|---|
| Clients book their own times | Yes | Yes, or request only |
| Text and email reminders | Every plan; custom texts on Plus and Premium | Email unlimited; texts 100 a month on Solo, 300 on Studio |
| Group classes | Plus and Premium | Every plan, with terms, class packs, waitlists and phone check-in |
| Packages and programs | Not listed on its Australian pricing page | Any length, every plan |
| No-show fees on a card on file | Plus and Premium | Card on file soon |
| In-person card payments | From 1.6% with Square hardware | No card reader; record cash or reader payments against the invoice |
| Online card payments | 2.2% | 2.5% + 30c all in |
| Staff | No limit | Solo is one trainer; Studio adds team logins and pay |
| Plan price basis | Per location | Per practice |
Prices and features as published by Square Appointments on 27 October 2026. Source: squareup.com/au/en/appointments/pricing. Features change, so check with each provider before you decide.
Price
Square Appointments plans, per location a month:
| Plan | A month | Adds |
|---|---|---|
| Free | A$0 | Booking, reminders, prepayments |
| Plus | A$40 | Group classes, custom texts, no-show fees |
| Premium | A$90 | Everything in Plus |
Card fees: from 1.6% in person (1.9% for sellers who joined before 30 May 2024), 2.2% online and on invoices paid online, and 6% + 30c for Afterpay (excluding GST).
As published by Square Appointments on 27 October 2026 at squareup.com/au/en/appointments/pricing.
Where the time goes
Square Appointments handles the booking. Invoices, programs, payment plans, class rosters, matching payments and the GST figures still happen somewhere else, by hand or in a second app. A working trainer's own practice put that work at about 70 minutes per new client, most of which PackOffice does for you.
Switching from Square
Bring your client list across as a CSV file and import it into PackOffice. Keep your Square reader for the odd in-person payment and record it against the invoice in PackOffice. Founding trainers have the import done for them on a two-hour setup call. How switching works.
Questions
Is Square Appointments good for dog trainers?
It is a good general booking tool, especially if you take payments in person: there is a free plan, no staff limit and in-person rates from 1.6%. Packages are not listed on its Australian pricing page, and trainers usually keep Xero or QuickBooks for the books.
How much does Square Appointments cost in Australia?
Free, Plus at A$40 or Premium at A$90 a month per location. Card fees are from 1.6% in person and 2.2% online.
Does Square Appointments do group classes?
Yes, on the Plus and Premium plans. PackOffice includes group classes with terms, class packs, waitlists and phone check-in on every plan.
Can I keep my Square reader with PackOffice?
Yes. PackOffice takes online card payments through your own Stripe account. Payments taken on a Square reader can be recorded against the invoice.
Built only for dog trainers
Programs and payment plans, group classes with waitlists and check-in, GST invoices and bank matching, from A$59 a month. Founding trainers keep today's prices for as long as they stay subscribed.
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Square Appointments is a trademark of its owner. This is an independent comparison using information Square Appointments publishes. If anything is out of date, email [email protected] and we will correct it within two business days.