This article analyzes two reservation management systems for dog agility clubs: AgilityFinder and Gingr. Although both provide online booking and class management features, our examination uncovers notable distinctions in their methods, functionalities, and value proposition for agility club owners.
AgilityFinder is a dedicated platform linking dog owners to agility clubs and courses, providing a free app for handlers and an extensive ClubManager system for club leaders and coaches. Developed by seasoned agility competitors who comprehend the unique difficulties of managing an agility club.
Gingr is a comprehensive pet business management software designed for boarding, daycare, grooming, and training facilities. It offers cloud-based tools for appointment scheduling, customer management, and business operations with features tailored for multi-service pet care businesses.
TL;DR
For dedicated agility clubs seeking growth and efficient operations, AgilityFinder represents the superior investment despite Gingr's broader feature set. Its specialized features for agility training, automatic member discovery through its network, and significantly lower starting price (€8.99 vs $89/month) provide value that substantially outweighs Gingr's general pet business approach. Choose Gingr only if you run a multi-service pet facility where agility is just one of many offerings.
Cost Comparison
| Feature | AgilityFinder ClubManager | Gingr |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Puppy: €8.99/month (16 classes/month) Pro: €16.99/month (32 classes/month) Championship: €29.99/month (unlimited classes) | Starting at $89/month Up to $145/month Enterprise pricing available |
| Testing Phase | 60 days free trial, no credit card required | Free trial available |
| Payment Structure | Monthly or annual subscription (20% discount annually) | Monthly or annual subscription |
| Cost Predictability | Fixed monthly expense based on class volume | Fixed monthly expense |
| Additional Features Cost | All agility-specific features included | Add-ons: SMS, Staff Scheduler, Reputation Manager extra |
Feature Comparison
| Functionality | AgilityFinder | Gingr |
|---|---|---|
| Class Reservation | ✅ Tailored for agility | ✅ General training scheduling |
| Group Classes | ✅ One-click recurring setup | ✅ Series enrollment system |
| Automated Waitlists | ✅ Integrated | ✅ Integrated |
| Member Mobile Application | ✅ Free exclusive agility app | ✅ Pet Parent Portal & App |
| Several Dogs per Handler | ✅ Native support | ✅ Multiple pet profiles |
| Attendance Tracking | ✅ Performance analytics | ✅ General training notes |
| Communication Tailored for Agility | ✅ Customized templates | ❌ Generic pet business templates |
| New Member Detection | ✅ Automated via app network | ❌ No agility network |
| Club Visibility | ✅ Listed in handler app | ❌ No dedicated marketplace |
| Multi-Service Support | ❌ Agility only | ✅ Boarding, grooming, daycare too |
| Revenue Tracking | ✅ Manual entry & analytics | ✅ Advanced reporting |
Advantages and Disadvantages
AgilityFinder
Advantages:
- ✅ Built for agility: Sport-specific features, terminology, and workflows
- ✅ Member acquisition: Automatic club discovery attracts new members
- ✅ Complete tracking: Individual profiles and attendance for multiple dogs
- ✅ Expert support: Team with agility domain knowledge
- ✅ 60-day free trial: Extended trial period without credit card
- ✅ Mobile-ready: Dedicated iOS and Android apps for handlers
- ✅ Network effect: Listed in agility-specific marketplace
- ✅ Significantly lower cost: Starting at €8.99/month vs $89/month
Drawbacks:
- ❌ Limited to agility: Not suitable for multi-service businesses
- ❌ Fewer integrations: Limited third-party software connections
- ❌ Class-based limits: Lower tiers restricted by monthly class volume
- ❌ No boarding/daycare features: Cannot manage other pet services
- ❌ Manual payment collection: Clubs handle their own payment processing
Gingr
Advantages:
- ✅ Versatile platform: Supports boarding, grooming, daycare, and training
- ✅ Extensive integrations: QuickBooks, MailChimp, Zapier, and more
- ✅ Advanced reporting: Comprehensive business analytics
- ✅ Multi-location support: Manage multiple facilities
- ✅ Inventory management: Track supplies and retail items
- ✅ Marketing automation: Email and SMS campaigns
- ✅ Excellent support: Highly praised customer service
- ✅ Enterprise features: Scalable for large operations
Drawbacks:
- ❌ High cost: Starting at $89/month (nearly 10x AgilityFinder's entry price)
- ❌ Generic system: Requires customization for agility-specific needs
- ❌ No agility network: Won't attract sport-specific members
- ❌ Complex setup: More features mean steeper learning curve
- ❌ Overkill for agility-only: Many features irrelevant to pure agility clubs
Suggested Use Cases
AgilityFinder
- Exclusive Agility Clubs - Purpose-built features justify the investment
- Growing Training Enterprises - Network effect helps attract participants
- Competition-Focused Clubs - Essential progress tracking and skill management
- Independent Agility Coaches - Affordable entry plan at €8.99/month
- Clubs Seeking Visibility - Automatic listing in handler discovery app
Gingr
- Full-Service Pet Facilities - Managing boarding, grooming, daycare, and training
- Large Pet Businesses - Need for advanced reporting and multi-location support
- Mixed Training Programs - Offering obedience, agility, and other dog sports
- Retail-Integrated Businesses - Selling products alongside services
- Enterprise Operations - Requiring extensive customization and integrations
Final Recommendation
Although Gingr provides a comprehensive pet business management solution, AgilityFinder stands out as the better option for dedicated agility club proprietors. The platform's extensive grasp of agility training processes, combined with its dramatically lower price point and automatic member identification features, offers benefits that significantly outweigh Gingr's generalist approach.
Key Decision Factors:
- Price advantage: AgilityFinder starts at just €8.99/month versus Gingr's $89/month minimum
- Specialization matters: AgilityFinder's tailored design eliminates workarounds needed in Gingr
- Growth acceleration: The AgilityFinder network directly helps clubs expand membership
- Sport credibility: Being on an agility-specific platform enhances professional reputation
- Right-sized solution: Paying for only what you need rather than unused pet business features
For agility club owners focused on growth and efficient operations, AgilityFinder represents a superior long-term investment. The 60-day free trial provides comprehensive assessment without financial commitment, and the specialized features combined with the significant cost savings make it the clear choice for dedicated agility operations.
Gingr remains an excellent choice for multi-service pet facilities or businesses that combine agility with boarding, grooming, or daycare services, while dedicated agility clubs will discover that AgilityFinder's specialized approach and affordable pricing deliver better value for their specific needs.