Honest comparison

OpenVPM vs Digitail

Digitail is a modern, AI-forward cloud system with a slick pet-parent app. OpenVPM brings modern and AI-ready together with open source and no lock-in.

Digitail is a newer, well-funded cloud PIMS known for AI automation, a clean interface, and a connected pet-parent app. It publishes per-vet pricing and is growing fast. It is closed-source SaaS. OpenVPM offers a similarly modern, API-first, AI-ready experience, with the difference that you can self-host it for free and the code is open for anyone to inspect or extend.

License
OpenVPM: Open source (AGPLv3)
Digitail: Proprietary, closed
Hosting
OpenVPM: Self-host free, or managed Cloud
Digitail: Cloud
Pricing
OpenVPM: Free to self-host. Cloud $79/location/mo
Digitail: Around $149 to $300/mo per vet, publicly reported
Per-user fees
OpenVPM: None. Unlimited staff
Digitail: Per veterinarian
Open API
OpenVPM: 150+ endpoints, public docs, webhooks
Digitail: Markets an open API
Your data
OpenVPM: Public schema. Export anytime
Digitail: Proprietary platform. Export reported as available
Best for
OpenVPM: Independent practices that want to own their stack
Digitail: Practices that want AI automation and a modern app

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 If something here is out of date, tell us and we will fix it.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?

Digitail is modern and reviewers report decent data export, though some described a rough migration off an older system. OpenVPM removes the question entirely: the schema is public and export is built in, so your data is never trapped.

Read: who owns your practice data

When Digitail is the better fit

If you want AI automation, a polished client app, and a contemporary UX from a single closed vendor, Digitail is a compelling choice.

When OpenVPM is the better fit

If you want modern and AI-ready but also open source, self-hostable, and free of per-vet fees, OpenVPM is the open path to the same outcomes.

Use OpenVPM your way.

Self-host the full open-source PIMS for free, or let us run it for you. Same software, your choice.

FreeAGPLv3, forever

Run OpenVPM on your own infrastructure. No billing gates, no feature limits, no hosted metering.

  • Full source under the AGPLv3 license
  • Every module and the complete API
  • Docker or Vercel deployment paths
  • Bring your own database, email, SMS, and AI keys
Read the install guide

Common questions

Is OpenVPM as modern as Digitail?

OpenVPM is a modern, API-first system with an open REST API and a built-in AI agent. The key difference is that it is open source and you can run it yourself, with no per-vet pricing.

Does Digitail publish pricing?

Yes. Digitail publishes per-vet tiers, publicly reported around $149 per month for mobile vets and around $300 per month for clinics, plus custom enterprise. OpenVPM is free to self-host and priced per location for Cloud.

Is Digitail open source?

No. Digitail is closed-source SaaS that markets an open API. OpenVPM is fully open source under the AGPLv3 license.

See 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.