OpenVPM vs Cornerstone
Cornerstone is a deep, mature hospital system. OpenVPM is an open-source controlled-pilot option with a narrower workflow and integration surface.
Workspace access is immediate. Live clinic use starts as a guided pilot alongside the current PIMS. See current fit and rollout limits.
Cornerstone, from IDEXX, is one of the most established practice management systems in the industry, with tight integration to IDEXX labs and imaging and a feature set built over decades. It has long been server-installed, and IDEXX has added a hosted Cornerstone Cloud option more recently. OpenVPM takes a different path: public code and schema, plus a targeted API and selected core workflows for controlled, connected single-location pilots. It does not match Cornerstone's hospital depth or IDEXX diagnostic integrations today.
Pricing for other systems is publicly reported by third parties, not official rate cards. We aim to be fair. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will fix it.
What about your data?
Cornerstone runs on a proprietary database, and getting records into another system usually means a vendor-assisted export or conversion. OpenVPM's reviewed self-service CSV path covers clients, patients, vaccination history, and visit notes. Appointments, invoices, attachments, and vendor-specific history require assisted scoping; there is no general live-sync connector.
Read: who owns your practice dataWhen Cornerstone is the better fit
If your hospital is built around IDEXX analyzers and reference labs and you want the deepest possible integration with them, Cornerstone is a reasonable fit.
When OpenVPM is the better fit
Consider OpenVPM only for a controlled, connected single-location companion-animal or house-call pilot whose required workflows and migration scope pass review. It is not a production replacement for Cornerstone's external diagnostics or specialty depth.
Use OpenVPM your way.
Self-host the full open-source PIMS for free, or let us run it for you. Same software, your choice.
Run OpenVPM on your own infrastructure. You operate security, backups, email, messaging, payments, model providers, and production validation.
- Full source under the AGPLv3 license
- All source modules and the documented API
- Docker or Vercel deployment paths
- Bring your own database, email, SMS, and AI keys
Common questions
Is OpenVPM a like-for-like alternative to Cornerstone?
No. OpenVPM is currently limited to controlled, connected single-location companion-animal and house-call pilots. It does not provide Cornerstone's mature specialty depth or IDEXX lab and imaging integrations.
Does Cornerstone publish its price?
No. IDEXX does not publish an official price. The figures you see online, around $420 to $549 per month, come from third-party listings like Capterra and should be treated as estimates.
Can I move my Cornerstone data to OpenVPM?
It depends on the export. OpenVPM's reviewed dry-run CSV path covers clients, patients, vaccination history, and visit notes. Appointments, invoices, attachments, imaging links, and vendor-specific history require assisted scoping. There is no general ongoing sync.
Keep reading
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Read moreThe Best Veterinary Practice Management Software in 2026 (11 Platforms, Compared Honestly)
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Read moreWho Owns Your Veterinary Practice's Data? (And What Happens When You Try to Leave)
The AVMA says your practice owns its data. Most PIMS contracts don't agree. A plain-language guide to exit fees, portability traps, and what open-source changes.
Read moreSee OpenVPM for yourself.
The demo is live and loaded with real-looking data. No sales call. Click around, then self-host it free or let us run it for you.