Veterinary clinics · Updated 2026-08-18
The best veterinary practice management software in 2026
Veterinary software is living through a generational shift: the legacy on-premise systems that ran clinics for decades are giving way to cloud platforms built around the consult. The right choice depends on where your clinic stands in that migration. We compared the systems clinics actually use — no paid placements, with pricing models flagged honestly.
The picks at a glance
| Software | Best for | Indicative pricing |
|---|
| ezyVet | Clinics that want a modern cloud PIMS with deep reporting | quote-based |
| Cornerstone | Clinics that value proven depth over modern delivery | quote-based |
| AVImark | Clinics staying on a familiar legacy system for now | quote-based |
| Shepherd | Clinics that want fast onboarding and SOAP-centric charting | tiered plans |
| Digitail | Clinics betting on client engagement and modern tooling | tiered plans |
Pricing is indicative, checked at the date above — plans change; always confirm with the vendor. We have no paid relationship with any editor listed here.
The contenders, in detail
1. ezyVet
Pricing : quote-based
Clinics that want a modern cloud PIMS with deep reporting
ezyVet (IDEXX) is a modern cloud practice information management system with strong integrations — labs, imaging, payments — and serious reporting. It is a frequent landing spot for clinics leaving legacy systems.
Strengths
- +Broad integration ecosystem, including IDEXX diagnostics
- +Reporting and dashboards well beyond legacy systems
- +Cloud delivery with regular vendor-managed updates
Watch out for
- −Implementation and configuration take real effort
- −Sits at the premium end on cost
2. Cornerstone
Pricing : quote-based
Clinics that value proven depth over modern delivery
Cornerstone (IDEXX) is the long-standing on-premise reference in veterinary practice management, running in thousands of clinics for decades. Its depth is proven, its architecture is from another era.
Strengths
- +Decades of proven functionality across clinic workflows
- +Tight integration with IDEXX lab equipment
- +Large base of staff who already know it
Watch out for
- −Server-based — hardware and IT upkeep on you
- −User experience shows its age
3. AVImark
Pricing : quote-based
Clinics staying on a familiar legacy system for now
AVImark (Covetrus) is one of the most widely installed veterinary systems in the US, a legacy workhorse many clinics have run for years. It keeps working, but the market pull is now toward cloud alternatives.
Strengths
- +Very large installed base and familiar workflows
- +Covers the daily core: records, scheduling, invoicing
- +Covetrus ties it to supply and pharmacy services
Watch out for
- −Aging platform with limited modernization
- −Most evaluations today are about migrating away to cloud
4. Shepherd
Pricing : tiered plans
Clinics that want fast onboarding and SOAP-centric charting
Shepherd is a cloud PIMS built by a practicing veterinarian, organized around the SOAP note so charting drives invoicing automatically. Onboarding is quick and pricing is published in tiers.
Strengths
- +SOAP-first design — charting builds the invoice as you work
- +Quick onboarding compared with heavyweight systems
- +Designed by a veterinarian around real consult flow
Watch out for
- −Younger platform than the incumbents
- −Fewer enterprise features for large multi-site groups
5. Digitail
Pricing : tiered plans
Clinics betting on client engagement and modern tooling
Digitail is a modern cloud PIMS that pairs clinic management with a pet-parent app and AI-assisted note-taking. It moves fast on features, which cuts both ways.
Strengths
- +Pet-parent app for bookings, records and communication
- +AI-assisted notes reduce typing during consults
- +Rapid feature development in the cloud
Watch out for
- −Newer vendor with a shorter track record
- −Fast feature pace can trade against stability
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How to choose
01SOAP speed during consults
A vet writes dozens of SOAP notes a day. Time how long a routine consult takes to chart in each system, with charges captured — minutes saved per note compound into hours per week.
02Lab and imaging integrations
In-house analyzers and reference labs should push results straight into the record. Check your exact equipment and lab providers — IDEXX-owned systems integrate their own hardware most tightly.
03Reminders that drive compliance
Vaccine and treatment reminders directly move revenue and pet health outcomes. Look at automation depth: multi-channel reminders, escalation and health-plan tracking rather than one email blast.
04Migration path from legacy
If you run AVImark or Cornerstone today, migration quality matters as much as the destination. Ask vendors what patient history, reminders and financial data actually transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I migrate my data from AVImark or Cornerstone?
Yes — cloud vendors migrate from both routinely, and ezyVet, Shepherd and Digitail all have documented paths. Patient records and reminders transfer well; attachments and historical financial detail vary, so get the scope in writing.
What should a newly opened clinic choose?
New clinics almost always start in the cloud — no servers, faster onboarding. Shepherd and Digitail publish tiered pricing and onboard quickly; ezyVet suits clinics that want heavier reporting and integrations from day one.
Does the software take care of medical record compliance?
It helps, but compliance remains the practice’s responsibility. These systems store records and controlled-substance logs properly, yet your veterinary board’s record-keeping rules and your controlled-drug procedures are yours to enforce regardless of tool.
Is AVImark being phased out?
There’s no official end-of-life date, but Covetrus has slowed AVImark’s feature development and is actively steering customers toward its newer cloud product, Pulse. Migration reports are mixed — some practices describe a rough transition with limited hand-holding. If you’re on AVImark today, ask Covetrus directly about its roadmap and migration support before renewing.
Do any of these platforms generate SOAP notes with AI?
Shepherd (TranscribeAI) and Digitail (Tails AI) both offer AI-assisted note generation from the consult, cutting typing time during appointments. ezyVet, Cornerstone and AVImark don’t offer a native AI scribe today, though ezyVet’s ecosystem supports some third-party add-ons — check current integrations if this matters to you.
How well do these platforms integrate with labs, pharmacy and payment tools?
Integration depth is now table stakes rather than a differentiator. Digitail lists 30+ built-in integrations, and ezyVet and Cornerstone benefit from being IDEXX-owned — tight native links to IDEXX in-house diagnostics and the Vetsource pharmacy platform. AVImark, as a legacy on-premise system Covetrus is steering customers away from toward Pulse, has fewer modern open-API integrations. If your clinic runs specific lab, imaging or payment providers, ask each vendor whether the link is a live native integration or a manual export/import.
How much does veterinary practice management software actually cost per month?
Published numbers vary more than the marketing suggests. ezyVet posts roughly $245-260 per user per month plus a separate implementation fee on its pricing page; Shepherd lists around $299/month with a $99 surcharge per additional vet. Cornerstone and AVImark don’t publish pricing at all — third-party estimates put Cornerstone near $420/month, but get a written quote before comparing it against the cloud options above, since bundled hardware, support tiers and per-seat add-ons shift the real bill substantially.
Have any of these vendors recently changed ownership?
Yes, twice in the past 18 months. Shepherd acquired rival cloud PIMS Hippo Manager in March 2025 and migrated its customers onto Shepherd, so Hippo Manager no longer exists as a standalone product. And Covetrus — AVImark’s parent — announced a $3.5 billion merger with MWI Animal Health in February 2026, still pending regulatory approval as of mid-2026. Neither change has altered AVImark’s day-to-day product yet, but it’s worth asking Covetrus directly about post-merger roadmap plans before signing a new contract.