Barkbox vs Pupbox: Which Dog Subscription Box Is Best for Your Furry Friend?

If you‘re a devoted dog parent, you know that our canine companions deserve to be spoiled with the best toys, treats, and goodies. Dog subscription box services have exploded in popularity as a convenient way to keep your pup entertained with new surprises every month delivered right to your door. Two of the leading options on the market are Barkbox and Pupbox – but which one is the top dog?

In this in-depth comparison, we‘ll put Barkbox and Pupbox in the ring to help you determine which subscription is the perfect match for your four-legged friend. We‘ll dive into the history of each brand, what their boxes include, pricing, customer experiences, and more. By the end, you‘ll have all the information you need to pick the box that will get your dog‘s tail wagging with delight. Let‘s unleash this Barkbox vs Pupbox showdown!

The Origins of Barkbox and Pupbox

Before we get into the nitty gritty details of what each subscription offers, let‘s first travel back in time to see how Barkbox and Pupbox came to be the powerhouses they are today in the world of dog boxes.

Barkbox: NYC Beginnings

Barkbox burst onto the pet scene back in 2011, founded by dog-obsessed entrepreneurs Matt Meeker, Henrik Werdelin, and Carly Strife. Their aim was simple but powerful – to deliver joy to dogs and their people with curated monthly boxes of innovative toys, all-natural treats, and fun surprises.

From their headquarters in the Big Apple, Barkbox quickly made a name for themselves with their quirky monthly themes and commitment to sourcing high-quality, dog-safe products. The company has since expanded to offer additional services like the Barkshop online store, custom toy collections, and Bark Eats dog food with nationwide delivery.

Barkbox has won the hearts of celebrity pups and Instagram dog influencers alike, amassing an impressive 1.7 million followers on Instagram. They‘ve also been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Vogue, and Forbes for their booming success in the subscription space and their leadership in dog toy design.

Pupbox: A Shark Tank Success Story

Meanwhile on the West Coast, couple Ben and Ariel Zvaifler were inspired by their new puppy Maggie to start a subscription service tailored to the unique needs of young dogs. Pupbox was born in 2014 with the goal of providing new puppy parents with all the toys, training aids, accessories, and expert guidance they would need to navigate each stage of puppyhood.

Pupbox got their big break when Ben and Ariel pitched their business on Season 7 of the hit reality show Shark Tank. They successfully struck a deal with investor Robert Herjavec and used the funding and exposure to take Pupbox to the next level.

Since then, Pupbox has expanded to offer boxes for dogs of all ages, from rowdy pups to distinguished seniors. They‘ve partnered with big name pet retailers like Petco and Pet Supplies Plus to curate the best selection of full-size products personalized to each subscriber dog‘s size, age, and needs. With over 350k loyal Instagram followers, Pupbox has solidified their spot as a leader in the dog subscription space.

Barkbox vs Pupbox: What‘s in the Box

Now that we know the story behind the brands, let‘s unpack exactly what you can expect to find in a Barkbox vs Pupbox delivery. Both services offer monthly shipments of toys, treats, and chews, but with some key differences.

What Comes in a Barkbox:

The standard Barkbox comes with 2 innovative toys, 2 full-size bags of all-natural treats, and 1 long-lasting chew, all made in the USA or Canada. Each month features a fun new theme, like "Knights of the Hound Table," "Throwback Thursday," or "Sit, Stay, Spa Day."

One unique feature of Barkbox is the ability to customize your box each month. If your dog prefers toys over treats, you can choose the "Extra Toy" option to receive 3 toys, 2 treat bags, and 1 chew. Have an aggressive chewer or a tiny dog? Barkbox also offers specialized boxes like the "Super Chewer" or "Small Dog" options to better fit your pup‘s size and preferences.

Barkbox is also very accommodating of dogs with allergies or sensitivities – simply contact their support team and they‘ll ensure your box is free of any ingredients on your dog‘s "no" list. All of their treats and chews are wheat, corn, and soy-free by default.

What Comes in a Pupbox:

Pupbox deliveries include 5-7 full-size, premium products hand-picked for your dog‘s age, size, and development stage. For puppies, this means a mix of age-appropriate toys, treats, chews, grooming/cleaning supplies, and accessories like collars, bandanas, or travel bowls. Boxes for adult and senior dogs are more toy and treat-focused but are still customized based on size and sensitivities.

One standout feature of Pupbox is the inclusion of expert training guides in every box. These helpful tips, tricks, and step-by-step instructions are tailored to your puppy‘s age and cover everything from housebreaking, to chewing, to basic obedience. The guides are written by professional dog trainers and are designed to help new puppy owners feel confident and equipped.

Pupbox also offers bonus discounts for additional training classes, grooming services, and supplies redeemable through their site. While they don‘t offer as much treat/toy customization as Barkbox, you can still update your dog‘s profile at any time with allergies, toy preferences, and other notes to ensure a good fit.

Pricing and Value Comparison

Of course, the burning question on every savvy dog owner‘s mind is – how much will this monthly splurge on my pooch cost me? Let‘s break down the numbers for Barkbox vs Pupbox.

Barkbox Pricing:

Barkbox subscriptions come in 3 commitment levels with savings for longer plans:

• Month-to-Month: $35 per box (or $44 with an extra toy)
• 6-Month Subscription: $26 per box (or $33 with an extra toy), billed $138 every 6 months
• Annual Subscription: $23 per box (or $30 with an extra toy), billed $264 every 12 months

According to Barkbox, each standard box has a retail value over $40, so you‘ll save around 15-45% per box depending on your subscription length. They also frequently offer promotions for free bonus toys or discounted first boxes for new sign-ups.

Pupbox Pricing:

Pupbox offers 4 subscription options with a lower month-to-month price but steeper discounts for longer commitments:

• Month-to-Month: $39 per box
• 3-Month Subscription: $34 per box, billed $102 every 3 months
• 6-Month Subscription: $32 per box, billed $192 every 6 months
• Annual Subscription: $29 per box, billed $348 every 12 months

Pupbox advertises that each of their boxes contain over $40 worth of products, with boxes for larger breeds valued at up to $70. They also highlight bonus savings opportunities on additional products and services as a perk of membership.

Which Offers Better Value?

Ultimately, value is in the eye of the dog holder. If you‘re looking for the most bang for your buck, Barkbox‘s annual subscription with the extra toy option offers $55+ worth of products for just $30 per box – an impressive 45% discount. However, Pupbox‘s curated selection of full-size products and training guides may offer more practical value, especially for new puppy owners who would otherwise need to buy these items separately.

Both services deliver a significant discount over retail prices for similar products. With Barkbox, the value comes from the sheer number of items and ability to customize, while Pupbox‘s value lies more in the careful product curation and bonus educational materials. The best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences as a dog owner.

What Are Customers Saying?

We‘ve covered all the facts about Barkbox vs Pupbox, but what really matters is whether these boxes are making tails wag in real life. Let‘s sniff out some authentic customer reviews to see how these subscriptions stack up.

Barkbox Customer Reviews:

Barkbox boasts stellar ratings of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, with over 10,000 reviews. Happy customers rave about the cute and creative monthly themes, the durability and novelty of the toys, and how excited their dogs are to dig into each box. Several reviewers were impressed by Barkbox‘s proactive allergy accommodations and responsive customer service when any issues arose.

The most common complaints cited shipping delays around the holidays and disappointment with treat size/quantity. However, many unhappy customers updated their reviews to report that Barkbox‘s support team went above and beyond to resolve their concerns. Quite a few multi-year subscribers commented that the quality and creativity of the boxes has remained strong over time.

Pupbox Customer Reviews:

Pupbox has a smaller but still enthusiastic fan base, with 4.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Positive reviews mention the high quality of the full-size treats and toys, as well as the usefulness of the training guides for first-time puppy owners. Many customers appreciated how the products were age-appropriate and seemed to be carefully selected for their dog‘s developmental stage.

Less favorable reviews noted inconsistency with sizing, with some toys and treats being too big or small. A few customers had issues with billing and wished for more flexibility with subscription pausing. Pupbox‘s customer service also seems to be a bit slower to respond than Barkbox‘s, with some issues taking a few days to resolve.

Overall, both Barkbox and Pupbox score high marks from their loyal subscribers. The negative reviews for both are mostly isolated incidents related to shipping or sizing and are often remedied by responsive customer support teams. From the glowing praise for the toy and treat quality, as well as the pup parent education from Pupbox, it‘s clear that both boxes are delivering tail-wagging joy to dogs and their owners each month.

Shipping, Returns, and Promotions

The last logistics to consider when picking the perfect dog subscription are the shipping, return, and discount policies. Here‘s how Barkbox and Pupbox compare:

Barkbox Shipping and Returns:

Barkbox offers free standard shipping to the contiguous US via FedEx, USPS, or OnTrac. Boxes typically ship in batches on the 15th of each month and take 2-8 business days to arrive. For Canadian, Alaskan, and Hawaiian subscribers, there is an additional $8 shipping fee per box and slightly longer transit times.

If you need your goodies faster, Barkbox offers expedited shipping for an extra fee. They do not accept returns of opened boxes for safety reasons but will replace any damaged items free of charge.

In terms of promotions, Barkbox frequently offers free toy upgrades, percentage discounts, or bonus gifts for new subscribers. They also have a referral program where you can earn free boxes for inviting friends and a special discount for active military and veterans.

Pupbox Shipping and Returns:

Pupbox provides free shipping to all 50 US states. Boxes are billed on the 5th of each month and typically ship out within 1-3 business days. Average transit times are 5-10 business days depending on your location.

Like Barkbox, Pupbox does not accept returns due to safety and sanitation concerns. However, they will happily send a replacement for any defective or damaged items at no cost to you.

Pupbox occasionally offers discounts for new subscribers, such as 50% off your first box. They also host social media giveaways and contests for chances to win free boxes or shop credits.

Final Verdict: Which Subscription Is Best?

We‘ve arrived at the final round of our Barkbox vs Pupbox showdown. Both subscriptions offer great value, high-quality products, and pup-approved surprises. But which one deserves the "Best in Show" ribbon?

If your top priorities are customization, creativity, and the most treats/toys for your dollar, Barkbox is the leader of the pack. Their flexible options for allergy-friendly treats, toy durability, and small dog sizing make them a great choice for dogs of all types. Plus, their imaginative monthly themes and cute designs are sure to get your pup fired up for playtime.

On the other paw, if you‘re a new puppy parent looking for guidance and practicality, Pupbox has the edge. Their curated full-size products and expert training information provide a useful roadmap for navigating each stage of puppyhood. Plus, the inclusion of age-appropriate grooming/cleaning supplies and accessories can save you extra shopping trips.

Ultimately, the choice between Barkbox and Pupbox comes down to your unique needs and preferences as a dog owner. Consider your pup‘s age, toy/treat interests, and your overall lifestyle when making the decision.

Whichever box you choose, one thing is for sure – your dog will be the happiest pup on the block when that special delivery arrives each month. And as a devoted dog parent, what could be better than that?