Paper can work; the real question is who maintains the system

England’s guidance does not require a particular software product. Visible and legible paper records can work, and electronic records must be readily producible and backed up. The trade-off is whether the operator wants to design, maintain and check that system alone.

Details checked against the linked sources on 27 September 2026.

DogBoarder may fit when

Providers who want one structured record from booking through care, with fewer duplicate entries and a clearer inspection trail.

Paper and spreadsheets may fit when

Very small providers who are comfortable designing their own forms, backups, access controls and review routine.

Software cost

DogBoarder: £15 a month or £150 a year for the Licensed plan.
Paper and spreadsheets: Potentially no dedicated subscription, though storage, printing and the operator’s administration time still have a cost.

Set-up

DogBoarder: Defined fields and connected workflows are provided.
Paper and spreadsheets: The operator chooses the fields, formulas, filing structure, permissions and naming rules.

Completeness

DogBoarder: Pre-flight and readiness views make missing operational fields visible; they do not determine a licensing outcome.
Paper and spreadsheets: Completeness depends on the forms, formulas and manual checking process the operator maintains.

Corrections and history

DogBoarder: Care records are append-only and corrections reference the original entry.
Paper and spreadsheets: Paper needs a correction convention; spreadsheets need version history and disciplined editing.

Backups

DogBoarder: Managed electronic records are stored centrally; operational backup claims are described on the security page.
Paper and spreadsheets: The operator must arrange, test and protect the backup. GOV.UK specifically says electronic records must be backed up.

Inspection day

DogBoarder: The register is printable, and annual plans can assemble an inspection pack.
Paper and spreadsheets: The operator finds, orders and explains the relevant files or folders themselves.

DogBoarder compared with Paper and spreadsheets
Question	DogBoarder	Paper and spreadsheets
Software cost	£15 a month or £150 a year for the Licensed plan.	Potentially no dedicated subscription, though storage, printing and the operator’s administration time still have a cost.
Set-up	Defined fields and connected workflows are provided.	The operator chooses the fields, formulas, filing structure, permissions and naming rules.
Completeness	Pre-flight and readiness views make missing operational fields visible; they do not determine a licensing outcome.	Completeness depends on the forms, formulas and manual checking process the operator maintains.
Corrections and history	Care records are append-only and corrections reference the original entry.	Paper needs a correction convention; spreadsheets need version history and disciplined editing.
Backups	Managed electronic records are stored centrally; operational backup claims are described on the security page.	The operator must arrange, test and protect the backup. GOV.UK specifically says electronic records must be backed up.
Inspection day	The register is printable, and annual plans can assemble an inspection pack.	The operator finds, orders and explains the relevant files or folders themselves.

Sources and limits

Check the current terms before switching

This page compares published information, not every configuration or contract. Product features, prices and terms can change.

GOV.UK home-boarding statutory guidance, including records and backups