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.
Reviewed August 17, 2026 by Evan Gauer, OpenVPM founder. Vendor interest disclosed; primary sources linked below.
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.
Quote-based vendors can change commercial terms at any time. Confirm pricing, implementation, integration, support, and exit terms in writing before buying.
Sources reviewed
We prefer vendor-owned product, pricing, developer, support, and contract material. These links support the changeable facts above, not OpenVPM's editorial judgment.
What about your data?
Ask NaVetor to demonstrate a complete sample export, including attachments, and provide written delivery and exit terms. Its software-included offer depends on qualifying processing terms. 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 states that the software can be included when a practice uses select Patterson credit-card processing services; otherwise published plans start at $200 per month for 1–3 users. 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?
Ask NaVetor to provide a complete fictional export, including attachments, and document any limits and fees. For OpenVPM, inspect the supported export and plan the mapping needed for your destination system.
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)
A plain-language guide to veterinary data stewardship, software contracts, export fees, portability, 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.