OpenVPM vs NaVetor
NaVetor is an affordable cloud system from Patterson, with a soft tie to Patterson payments. OpenVPM keeps the affordability and keeps you independent.
Workspace access is immediate. Live clinic use starts as a guided pilot alongside the current PIMS. See current fit and rollout limits.
NaVetor, owned by Patterson Veterinary, is an approachable cloud system for new and growing practices, with a low starting price and the option to use it free if you run payments through Patterson. OpenVPM has public source and no self-hosted license fee. Manual payment tracking is supported, while pet-owner online card payments currently require Stripe Connect.
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 If something here is out of date, tell us and we will fix it.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?
NaVetor offers report-level export, and the free-with-processing model creates a soft tie to Patterson payments. OpenVPM keeps a public schema and supports export, but data still needs mapping for a destination system and online card payments currently use Stripe Connect.
Read: who owns your practice dataWhen NaVetor is the better fit
If you are a new or growing practice already working with Patterson and you want a low-cost cloud system that fits that ecosystem, NaVetor is a reasonable fit.
When OpenVPM is the better fit
Consider OpenVPM for a controlled, connected single-location companion-animal or house-call pilot. Manual payment tracking is supported; pet-owner online cards require Stripe Connect, and card-present terminals are not supported.
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 NaVetor really free?
NaVetor can be free if you process payments through Patterson, otherwise it starts around $129 per month. OpenVPM has no self-hosted software license fee, though hosting and operations still cost money; pet-owner online cards require Stripe Connect.
Can I export everything from NaVetor?
NaVetor documents report-level export to formats like XLS, PDF, and DOC. Full database export is less clear. OpenVPM keeps a public schema with complete export.
Is OpenVPM tied to a payment processor?
Manual payment tracking is supported. Pet-owner online card payments currently require Stripe Connect, and OpenVPM does not provide a card-present terminal integration. Hosted SMS also requires a separately approved messaging pilot.
Keep reading
Who 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 moreOpen-Source vs. Closed Veterinary Practice Software: What You Need to Know
A plain-language guide for practice owners: what open-source veterinary PIMS actually means, how managed hosting changes the cost equation, and who it's for.
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.