Running a veterinary clinic isn’t just about the pets’ care. It is also about managing appointments, billing, inventory, and making sure the payment flows smoothly. It’s also about finding a tool that simplifies solutions, saves plenty of time, and doesn’t make you jump through hoops when it’s time to get paid.
In this article, we will give you an overview of the top veterinary software solutions along with a comprehensive vet practice management comparison. So, let’s walk through what matters when picking a practice management system, especially when it comes to payments, and look at a few top contenders.
Why Payment Features Matter More Than Ever?
Nobody enjoys running after clients for payments, particularly after an emotional vet visit. That’s why more and more clinics are switching to integrated payments, where your bills, card swipers, and records all reside within the same system.
It saves time, eliminates mistakes, and allows you to spend more time caring for your little ones and less time worrying about bills.
A Growing Market with Rising Expectations
The demand for smart and sustainable veterinary software is also growing fast. And that’s for a good reason. For example, the market for Veterinary Practice Management Software was worth $375.5 million in 2023, and it’s not letting up.
It’s expected to be worth $674.5 million by 2031, beginning from an estimated $401.4 million in 2024, with a CAGR of 7.7% during 2024–2031.
Veterinary Software Comparison: 4 Best Options in 2025
We looked up some of the top-rated software platforms used by vet clinics this year and compared how they stack up, especially in the payment and ease-of-use department.
1. ezyVet Practice
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ezyVet is one of the world’s leading veterinary practice management software platforms, popular among general practices, specialty and emergency clinics, and corporate groups. ezyVet delivers a full suite of tools—scheduling, patient records, billing, and inventory management, while standing out through its blend of advanced clinical capabilities and streamlined practice workflows.
This powerful combination frees veterinarians from tedious administrative duties, letting them devote their time to what matters most: patient care.
Pricing Plan of ezyVet Practice
EzyVet is best for Multi-location clinics and practices already using Covetrus products.
| Plan | Price | User Limit | What Comes with the Plan |
| Basic | $245.00 | 1 to 249 users | – Anywhere Access – Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Packages – Optional Extras – Product Updates – Unlimited 24/7 Support |
| Enterprise | Pricing on request | Not specified | No plan information available |
Features of ezyVet Practice
ezyVet offers some amazing features dedicated to making the payment processing extremely seamless.
- Integrated Billing & Invoicing: Automatically links charges to clinical records, ensuring accurate, real-time billing with minimal manual input — reducing missed charges and improving revenue capture.
- Seamless Payment Terminal Integration: Connects directly with various payment terminals, allowing for in-clinic card processing, contactless payments, and easy refunds — all processed within the ezyVet interface.
- Customizable Client Statements & Estimates: Provides flexible templates for digital estimates and detailed client statements, enabling clear, professional financial communication with pet owners.
- Split & Syndicate Billing Capabilities: Supports complex billing needs, such as splitting costs between multiple parties or managing syndicates (e.g., for large animal practices), which is uncommon in standard systems.
- Automated Payment Workflows: Reduces admin time with auto-generated invoices, scheduled payments, and batch processing — ideal for high-volume clinics and group practices.
- Online Payments via Customer Portal: Let clients securely pay bills online through a self-service portal, improving payment turnaround time and client convenience.
2. DaySmart
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DaySmart Vet is a cloud-based veterinary practice management system designed to centralize and streamline every aspect of clinic operations, from patient and client profiles to scheduling, billing, reporting, and inventory control. Its intuitive interface lets staff access real-time data across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices, with over 80 built-in reports to inform business decisions and seamless integrations with more than 40 partners to turn DaySmart Vet into a single hub for your practice.
Key features include automated text and email appointment reminders to reduce no-shows, an online booking portal for 24/7 client self-service, and powerful inventory management that tracks supplies in real time to prevent stockouts or over-ordering. Designed by veterinarians for veterinarians, DaySmart Vet’s continual updates are driven by user feedback, while enterprise-grade security, robust encryption, automated backups, and granular access controls ensure patient data is always protected and available whenever and wherever you need it.
Pricing Plan of DaySmart
DaySmart provides Flexible Software Packages.
| Plan | Price/Month | Included Users | Extra User Cost | Texts/Emails Included |
| Basic | $29.00 | 1 | N/A | 500 texts / 1,000 emails |
| Deluxe | $69 | 3 | $9/user/month | 1,000 texts / 5,000 emails |
| Deluxe Growth | $149 | 3 | $9/user/month | 1,000 texts / 10,000 emails |
| Premium | $199 | 6 | $9/user/month | 2,500 texts / 10,000 emails |
| Premium Growth | Contact | 6 | $9/user/month | 5,000 texts / 20,000 emails |
Features of DaySmart
DaySmart also offers a range of features that help businesses streamline their operations, improve the client experience, and increase revenue.
- Integrated Payment Processing: Accept and manage payments directly within DaySmart Vet, automating the reconciliation process and reducing manual entry errors.
- Flexible Payment Options: Offer clients multiple ways to pay, including in-person, online, or via mobile devices, enhancing convenience and reducing wait times.
- Automated Invoicing and Billing: Generate invoices automatically, streamlining the billing process and ensuring timely payments.
- Deposit Collection at Booking: Collect deposits during appointment scheduling to minimize no-shows and secure revenue.
- Customizable Financial Reporting: Access detailed reports on billings, estimates, and payments, providing insights into financial performance.
- Secure Card Storage: Safely store client card information for recurring payments and faster checkouts, enhancing the client experience.
3. Shepherd
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Shepherd Veterinary Software is a cloud-based practice management solution designed by veterinarians to streamline daily operations in veterinary clinics. Its intuitive interface allows for real-time charge capture, automatically adding administered treatments to invoices and generating discharge instructions, thereby reducing administrative tasks and minimizing missed charges.
The software employs a SOAP-based medical record system that integrates seamlessly with various clinical tools, including inventory management and lab integrations, ensuring accurate and efficient patient care. Additional features like automated reminders, customizable client communications, and integrated payment processing further enhance the user experience, making Shepherd a comprehensive tool for modern veterinary practices.
Pricing Plan of Shepherd
| Plan | Price/Month | Doctor Limit | What Comes with the Plan |
| Basic | $299.00 | 1 Doctor | – Unlimited Users – Cloud-Based – Free Automatic Updates – Online U.S. Chat Support – Scheduling – Treatment Whiteboard – Integrated Payments |
| Small | $499 | 2–3 Doctors | – All features in the Basic plan |
| Medium | $749 | 4–7 Doctors | – All features in the Basic plan |
Features of Shepherd
Here are the powerful features that make the Shepherd App stand out from the competition. Packed with innovative tools and advanced functionalities, this software offers a range of benefits.
- One-click Integrated Payments: Charge clients and update their medical and billing records instantly—no manual entry between your PMS and terminal required.
- Omnichannel Payment Acceptance: Accept payments via a free USB card terminal in-clinic or remotely through your pet owner portal, giving clients flexibility and reducing front-desk bottlenecks.
- Secure, Tokenized Card Storage: Safely store client card details to expedite future check-outs and minimize data-entry errors, all while maintaining PCI-DSS compliance.
- Automated End-of-Day Reporting: Eliminate manual reconciliation—Shepherd Pay generates accurate end-of-day summaries for seamless back-office workflows.
- Zero Onboarding Fees & Free Terminal: Get up and running immediately with no extra implementation costs, and receive your first USB payment terminal on us .
- Built-in Surcharge Fee Management: Offset processing costs by automatically applying a customizable surcharge (e.g., 3%) on credit-card transactions, directly within your workflow.
4. Vetspire
Vetspire PMS is an all-in-one, cloud-based veterinary practice management system built around clinicians, offering an intuitive interface that centralizes medical records, scheduling, billing, and client communication. Its medical records support real-time documentation, multi-user editing, and easy sharing of professional outputs for clients and referrals.
The AI Suite—including Scribe and Summary—automatically transcribes visit conversations into structured SOAP notes and generates concise patient summaries, saving time and reducing manual entry. Additional features like two-way messaging, admin triggers, customizable client pricing, and personalized dashboards streamline workflows and enhance client engagement.
With an open API platform, white-glove implementation services, mobile access, and online booking, Vetspire ensures seamless integration, rapid onboarding, and 24/7 accessibility for practices of any size.
Pricing Plan of Vetspire
Vetspire has customized packages that give clinics of all sizes the flexibility to find the right solution for their business and needs.
| Number of Locations | Standard Plan (per DVM) | Pro Plan (per DVM) |
| Small (1–10) | $299 | $379 |
| Medium (11–49) | $279 | $349 |
| Enterprise (50+) | $249 | $329 |
Features of Vetspire
Vetspire provides a variety of features for veterinary clinics, features offering like electronic medical records (EMR), appointment scheduling, client communication, and financial reporting.
- Extensive Payment Processor Integrations: Vetspire integrates with leading processors like Stripe, Square, and CareCredit. This gives clinics the flexibility to choose the best-fit payment solution for their needs.
- Text and Email Payment Links: Clinics can send payment requests via text or email, enabling clients to pay remotely. This improves convenience and accelerates the payment process.
- Secure Card-on-File Transactions: Vetspire securely stores client payment info for faster future checkouts. This streamlines billing while maintaining PCI compliance.
- Automated Billing Triggers: Set automated triggers for billing events like invoice creation or payment failures. These automate follow-ups and reduce manual tasks.
- Comprehensive Billing Dashboard: The platform offers a complete financial overview, including invoices, payments, and credits. This simplifies financial tracking and reporting.
- Multi-Location Support with Custom Pricing: Vetspire allows different pricing and tax rates per location. It’s ideal for multi-site practices needing accurate and localized billing.
Conclusion
Choosing the right veterinary practice management software in 2025 means looking beyond just scheduling and patient records. The real difference shows up in how these systems handle payments — whether it’s collecting deposits up front, storing cards for future use, or automatically generating invoices and reports. Tools like ezyVet, DaySmart, Shepherd, and Vetspire not only simplify the workday but also help clinics get paid faster and more reliably.
If you’re still using a system that requires too many workarounds, it might be time to look at something that fits how modern clinics run. The right software can cut down time spent on admin, reduce errors, and improve the payment experience for both your team and your clients.
So, before you choose, ask yourself these important questions:
- Can clients pay online or via text?
- Does the software track unpaid invoices automatically?
- Can I generate reports showing income by service or vet?
- Does it integrate with my existing accounting tools?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does payment integration matter in vet software?
It saves time, reduces errors, and improves checkout speed. You don’t have to switch between systems—everything updates automatically in one place.
Are cloud-based vet systems safe for payments?
Yes, they use strong encryption and are PCI-compliant. Payments go through trusted gateways, and updates—including security patches—are automatic.
Which software works best for a small 1–2 vet clinic?
Cloud systems with simple pricing, like Shepherd or DaySmart Vet, are ideal. They’re easy to use, don’t need servers, and often include built-in payment tools.
Can I switch software easily, and what about my existing data?
Most vendors help transfer your clinic’s records, invoices, and even saved payment info. Some systems offer full onboarding support to make the move smoother.
How do these systems handle online booking and telemedicine payments?
Many offer portals or apps where clients can book, pay deposits, or settle bills. Systems like ezyVet or Covetrus Pulse support online payments and client engagement tools.
